Aprilia Tuono 457: Will It Dominate India's Mid-Range Motorcycle Segment?

Aprilia is back and this time they’ve binned the fairings to unleash pure, unfiltered carnage on the streets. Say hello to the Tuono 457.

After stealing the limelight at EICMA 2024, this super naked weapon is gearing up for its India launch, We are excited now because the brand has finally listed the motorcycle on its website. 

With this thrilling announcement, a few bikes are starting to sweat. The KTM 390 Duke, Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 and Yamaha MT-03 might want to keep an eye on their rear-view mirrors – the Tuono 457 isn’t here to play nice, something is going to be brutal on the Indian roads very soon.

Think of it as the rebellious younger sibling of the Aprilia RS 457. While the RS flaunts its aerodynamic muscles on the track, the Tuono 457 is the cocky streetfighter that rolls in late, steals the show and leaves with everyone’s attention. If the RS 457 made waves in India, expect the Tuono to ride the same tide, just without the fairings holding it back.

Packing a parallel-twin engine belting out 47.6 hp, the Tuono 457 isn’t just fast standing still – it’s ready to make the KTM 390 Duke think twice at the lights. And yes, it’s shaping up to be quicker than the Duke, which is already ridiculously fast. As for the Continental GT 650? Let’s just say, retro vibes only get you so far when the Tuono is eating corners for breakfast.

But who’s this bike actually for? The Tuono 457 isn’t aimed at your typical commuter trying to edge out auto-rickshaws at every junction (though rest assured, it’ll leave them in the dust). This machine is for riders who live for the thrill of a high-revving parallel twin but aren’t ready to sacrifice their backs in the process. If you’re the sort who fancies the raw, aggressive energy of the KTM 390 Duke but wouldn’t mind a bit more Italian charm, this could be your next ride.

For the weekend canyon blasters, city warriors and late-night adrenaline junkies – the Tuono 457 is shaping up to be the mate you probably shouldn’t hang out with… but absolutely will.

Aprilia Tuono 457 specifications

Aprilia's 457cc engine will power this dual-cylinder motorcycle. The modern engine will produce a maximum of 47.6 horsepower at 9400 RPM. The motorcycle will feature 17-inch front and rear wheels, a 41mm fork with 120mm travel, preload-adjustable suspension and an asymmetrical steel swingarm with 130mm travel. 

Aprilia makes premium machines and while delivering high top speeds, the brand also takes care of the braking system. The machine is equipped with ByBre callipers acting on 320mm steel discs at the front and 220mm at the rear.

Let’s see who should wait for this machine:

A potential KTM 390 Duke buyer

If you are planning to get a 390 Duke, hold your breath and wait for the final launch price of the Aprilia Tuono 457 because this time patience may gift you more speed, an extra cylinder, a bigger machine, a better tag and a value-for-money motorcycle. 

Aprilia launched the RS 457 at the aggressive price of INR 4,10,000, which became one of the most sensational machines of the year because of its price-to-performance ratio. The brand is expected to launch the naked version of the Tuono 457 with an aggressive ex-showroom price. 

The 390 Duke was one of the best motorcycles in terms of price-to-performance ratio but with the increased price, it is no longer the value-for-money motorcycle it once was. If Aprilia manages to launch the Tuono 457 cheaper than the RS 457, it can steal the tag. 

The Tuono 457 will also open options for riders who want a bit more performance, looks and better design than the KTM 390 Duke.

Competition for the RE Continental GT 650

The Continental GT 650 stands as a one-man army; there is no other café racer in the market to date that rivals this creation from Royal Enfield. The Continental GT 650 and its sibling, the Interceptor 650, both command attention with their impressive top speeds of around 190 km/h.

While undoubtedly sleek and potent, the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is quite heavy for many bikers to handle. With a dry weight of 202 kg, the GT 650 is a strong, experienced bike that requires much power to manoeuvre, especially at low speeds or through heavy traffic. This makes it less accessible to new riders or those looking for a lighter, more agile machine.

On the other hand, the Aprilia Tuono 457 is not a café racer but carries the potential of being the fastest bike in its class. Weighing in at just 159 kg, the Tuono 457 is a full 43 kg lighter than the Continental GT 650. This will make it that much more agile and easier to handle, giving it an accessibility edge for more riders. Despite its lighter frame, the Tuono 457 is expected to reach similar top speeds of around 190 km/h, placing it directly in competition with the GT 650 in terms of performance. It shall be an attraction for those, who like performance and speed and are still reserved about the voluminous bodywork of the GT 650, the Tuono 457 stands as a great competitor to take back the lead on the bigger but heavier bikes; this will result in an absolutely thrilling but bearable ride for the rider.

Yamaha MT-03 buyers

The Yamaha MT-03 carries a price tag of INR 4,59,900 (ex-showroom) and that alone contributes to its low popularity. The MT-03 was already out of trend yet it remained popular among true bikers who appreciate raw performance and simple looks.

The Yamaha MT-03 is powered by a 321cc engine that produces only 42 PS of peak power. The price-to-performance ratio of the MT-03 is already disheartening, largely because Yamaha imports the MT-03 as a CBU (Completely Built Unit).

The Aprilia Tuono 457 is already more brutal than the MT-03 and is expected to have the advantage in terms of pricing as well.

The Aprilia Tuono 457 could become a spotlight hero if the brand launches the motorcycle at an aggressive price. Its power figures and design are already gaining attention.