Aprilia is a name that occupies one of the highest echelons in the world of sportsbikes and superbikes. Its rich heritage in making some of the most evocative two-wheelers on the planet, not to forget, its legacy in motorcycle racing globally, including MotoGP, need no introduction. And the past few years have seen Aprilia make a name for itself in India as well, with flagship products like the RSV 4 and Tuono V4. And with its highly anticipated RS 457 going on sale in India earlier this year, Aprilia has been able to appeal to a wider audience.
To ensure it continues to strike the right chord with motorcyclists across the nation, Aprilia India organised its first ever ‘Aprilia Racers Day’, at the Kari Motor Speedway. The event is in line with Aprilia’s global customer engagement programs and offers customers a taste of what their machines are capable of, in the safe environs of a racetrack, while also giving them a chance to mingle with like-minded riders.
Accepting Aprilia India’s invite and packing off my race suit to head to Coimbatore was a no-brainer. I mean, there’s no contest when it’s about getting to ride one of the latest sportsbikes, on track, in the company of a MotoGP rider! And that’s because Aprilia India had also flown down its MotoGP test and wild card rider Lorenzo Savadori to Coimbatore! In addition, the Italian marque also had its brand ambassador, biker and actor John Abraham attend the weekend, who also owns a fully-kitted out RSV 4 Factory and an RS 457 himself, adding to excitement among customers.
My very first session out on track riding the RS 457 had me come back to the pits very impressed. Inspired by Aprilia’s world-class superbikes like the RSV 4, the RS 457 feels like a well-engineered sportsbike. Powered by a liquid-cooled, 457cc parallel-twin cylinder engine, mated to a six-speed gearbox, with an optional quickshifter the bike offers 47.6PS and 43.5Nm. While build quality feels top-notch, the RS 457 also boasts hardware to match its positioning as a premium middleweight sportsbike including 41mm upside-down forks and a monoshock, both adjustable for preload, while rider aids include the ability to switch rear ABS off and riding modes including Rain mode.
On track the bike felt very forgiving, besides which the precise fueling meant throttle responses from the ride-by-wire system were crisp, resulting in excellent throttle control. The quickshifter helped matters too, while the specially developed Eurogrip tyres offered lots of confidence, even when leaned over fully. Of course, the icing on the cake was getting to ride with Lorenzo Savadori. While I was making the most of the RS 457’s abilities, Savadori seemed to be treating it like a toy. Following him on track and then having him follow me, seeing my lines around corners was an experience. It isn’t very often that you get to ride an Italian sportsbike at a racetrack with a MotoGP racer – they’re some of the fastest riders on the planet after all!
Aprilia had also partnered with RACR, the track riding school run by Rajini Krishnan, one of India’s most successful motorcycle racers. RS 457 owners thus also got an opportunity to hone their riding skills on the track, besides which there were classroom sessions to help them understand the finer nuances of going faster. Another highlight of the day for the riders was the special screening of the MotoGP race, at the racetrack itself. Riders got a chance to watch the race with John Abraham and Savadori, thus getting to watch a MotoGP race in the company of a MotoGP racer! Overall, the weekend was an adrenaline-filled one, while also giving Aprilia owners, especially those who’ve bought the RS 457, a chance to ride their motorcycles hard, at a racetrack no less!
