Social media can color facts like a child having unrestricted access to crayons. This seems to be the case with many of the viral issues with the Aprilia RS 457. While we are not downplaying any genuine problems faced by customers, Aprilia says that a lot of them were related to “unauthorized aftermarket modifications.” Before we proceed further, here is the full official statement from Aprilia:
Feature and Technology
“Aprilia India today reiterates its immense pride in the groundbreaking 457 platform, an engineering feat born in Noel. Since its global and Indian debut in 2023-24, the exceptional RS457 has dominated the mid-performance super sports category, with best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. The 457 platform has garnered widespread acclaim and numerous accolades from our valued customers, dedicated dealer partners, esteemed journalists and even elite MotoGP racers, all recognising its outstanding performance and comprehensive riding experience. We stand firmly behind the world-class product we have brought to the ardent community of super sports enthusiasts.
At Aprilia, our commitment extends far beyond delivering exciting motorcycles; we are equally dedicated to providing unmatched after-sales support and service. We are confident of the “reliability” of the 457 platform, with a small minority of motorcycle enthusiasts We are aware of the recent discussions amongst the segment. We would like to inform our customers how they fared in the … We categorically assure our esteemed customers and the wider motorcycling fraternity that Aprilia has carefully investigated each and every one of the handful of cases brought to our attention regarding alleged issues.
Most of these “issues” are attributed to only two factors – unauthorized aftermarket modifications and irregular service schedules. For the few genuine cases, we promptly addressed and resolved them on time, ensuring minimum disruption to our customers.
For riders looking to improve their stock RS457, we strongly encourage the installation of our comprehensive range of genuine aftermarket accessories available exclusively through authorized Aprilia service centers.
The Aprilia RS457 platform is the epitome of excitement and pure riding pleasure. It deserves to be enjoyed responsibly and maintained exclusively by certified technicians at authorized Aprilia dealerships. The company is equally responsible and proactive in ensuring the best after sales and service And every Aprilia stands firmly by the side of the owner. Moreover, we offer our 100% assurance that all products sold through our authorised dealerships are in top-notch condition, free from any inherent issues, and meet our stringent quality standards.”
Design and Quality
While Aprilia has promised to address the genuine issues faced by its customers in its statement, we will take this opportunity to address those who are thinking of buying Aprilia’s most affordable sportsbike in India. When we drove the RS 457, it proved to be good value for money. But it’s easy to get scared by what’s going on on social media, but to that I say, read the first line of this story again.
Also, if you’re buying a factory fresh bike from any brand, it’s of utmost importance that you read the owner’s manual. Ideally before you even swing a leg over the bike. And apart from just reading, follow the instructions – whatever is required about the running-in period and service routine. Following these completely will ensure that your bike runs really well for a long time.
Performance and Handling
The next thing you need to know is about modifications. There are two kinds of mods – one that will enhance the riding experience and the other that will ruin your bike. We will talk about the latter: these are all the mods that are made by shady or no-name brands, and are cheap imitations of more expensive, established brand products. The most common examples are aftermarket exhausts, crash protection, etc. To put it in simple terms, if something is too good to be true in terms of price, stay away from it. Your motorcycle will be happier having genuine stock rather than cheap, untested, uncertified, unwarranted mods.
In the cases of Aprilia, the brand has outright denied the claims of owners who have modified their RS 457. However, we are waiting for further clarification from the brand on what constitutes an “unauthorised aftermarket modification”. We will update this story as soon as we get a response. Despite this, it is better to stay away from all such modifications that will mess with the important components of your bike – performance upgrades, guards, etc. However, in the same breath, it is also worth mentioning that Aprilia India claims to have resolved all “genuine cases”. Again, we are waiting for clarification on what these cases are.
All said, modern bikes are quite complex machines with intricate electronics and electricals. Even many of the mechanicals have tight tolerances. It is better to stay away from any and all mods unless they are certified/approved by the manufacturer and installed by a certified technician. If you decide to go beyond this, rest assured, the brand will throw up its hands and deny warranty claims.
Only go ahead if you can afford all the future expenses resulting from such mods. Remember, everything on a bike can be fixed – that is why every manufacturer provides spares. Who bears the cost of these repairs depends on whose fault it was – the manufacturer or the owner.
