The City Bike That Rides Like A Premium Commuter Without The Price Tag Is The Aprilia Tuono

With the rise in gas prices and traffic in big cities or even small towns, it makes a lot of sense to pick a motorcycle for your urban commutes. However, not all bikes are the right fit for the task. Engines on powerful superbikes, like the BMW S 1000 RR or Aprilia RSV4, hate being ridden at low revs. Similarly, cruisers feel more at home riding on a freeway than zipping through traffic. And finally, a touring or adventure motorcycle with its top-heavy nature can feel like a hassle to move in tight spaces.

Ideally, a good city motorcycle should be small, nimble, fuel-efficient yet fun to ride and, most importantly, affordable. Thankfully, manufacturers have quite a few motorcycles that fulfill these requirements. However, not all of them provide a premium riding experience. Some compromise on features, while others may not have the best performance or top-quality hardware. That’s not a problem on this entry-level Aprilia, as this one has a lot going for it as a premium city commuter.

The Aprilia Tuono 457 Is The City Bike That Rides Like A Premium Commuter Without The Price Tag

Price: $6,599

A Tuono as a city bike? That might come as a surprise to many. After all, it’s more popular for scaring the daylights out of the rider with its breathtaking performance while offering a relatively upright riding posture. That’s the reputation Tuono 1100 V4 has built for itself. The one we are talking about is the Tuono 457, Aprilia’s most affordable motorcycle. Other Tuonos, with bikini fairings and close resemblance to their supersport counterparts, do not look like conventional naked motorcycles.

The Tuono 457, however, ditches all of that and features a single-piece handle bar and headlamp unit, with vertically stacked LEDs in the center, and diagonal LED daytime running strips at the side. That being said, it shares a lot of bits with the RS 457, including the engine, underpinnings and features. Speaking of the RS 457, it too can handle urban commutes, but the riding posture feels a bit too aggressive for city use.

There are other options, like the KTM 390 Duke and CFMoto 450NK, which can be considered. However, the single-cylinder engine on the 390 Duke cannot match the refinement of the parallel-twin on the Aprilia. On the other hand, CFMoto is a relatively new entrant in the market, while Aprilia boasts a rich racing history, and the Tuono nametag already has a sizable fanbase of its own. This gives the Tuono 457 an edge over the 450NK, despite its very affordable price tag of $5,399.

Why We Picked The Aprilia Tuono 457

• Powered by a smooth, refined and powerful parallel-twin
• Quality components all-around
• Strong underpinnings with a lightweight twin-spar aluminum frame
• Comfortable ergonomics for a relaxed urban commute
• Loaded with features like a modern TFT, ride modes and multi-level traction control

The Parallel-Twin Engine On The Tuono 457 Delivers Strong Performance

Power: 47.6 HP; Torque: 32.1 LB-FT

Powering the motorcycle is a 457cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine. The engine has a 270-degree firing which gives it a distinct sound and strong low-end performance. In fact, it delivers about 80 percent of the torque from 3,000 RPM, which makes it very tractable to use in urban conditions. There is no change in the peak power outputs on the Tuono 457 compared to the RS 457. However, the rear sprocket on the Tuono has one extra tooth. As a result, the acceleration feels even more urgent. On the flipside, the top speed takes a bit of a hit compared to the RS 457.

Being a twin-cylinder engine, it is very refined with minimal vibes until you hit the top end of the rev range. There are three ride modes on offer which alter the throttle response and traction control settings. This helps the rider customize the power delivery depending on their riding experience. A bidirectional quickshifter is only available as an accessory, but you should consider adding it for a more fun riding experience.

Aprilia Tuono 457 Engine Specs

A Lightweight Chassis And Solid Underpinnings Make It A Fun Motorcycle

Riding Posture Is More Relaxed Compared To The RS 457

The underpinnings on the Tuono 457 comprise a twin-spar aluminum frame, with the engine acting as stressed member and a mounting point for the swingarm. This helps with weight reduction, which on this motorcycle stands at 350.5 pounds dry and 386 pounds with all fluids. Suspension duties are handled by USD forks and a monoshock, both only adjustable for preload. This is one of the areas where the Tuono 457 loses out to the 390 Duke, which comes with a fully-adjustable suspension setup.

The Tuono 457 uses a single-piece handlebar instead of the clip-ons on the RS 457. That translates to a comfortable and upright riding posture. No changes have been made to the footpeg position, so the cornering clearance remains the same as the RS 457. Braking hardware consists of a single 320 mm front disc with a 4-piston radially mounted fixed caliper and a 220 mm rear disc with a two-piston caliper. Dual-channel ABS comes as standard, with an option to turn off the rear ABS.

Aprilia Tuono 457 Underpinnings

Has All The Features Expected On A Motorcycle Of Its Class

The 5-inch TFT Looks Crisp

Headlining the feature list on the Tuono 457 is a 5-inch TFT, which has been carried over from the RS 457. The display offers crisp resolution and the information is well-laid-out. Aprilia’s optional MIA Bluetooth connectivity enables music and call controls along with turn-by-turn navigation. Other features include a throttle-by-wire system, ride modes and multi-level traction control. The use of quality components all round also helps the Tuono 457 deliver a premium experience.

Speaking of the accessory list, it has a lot of items to choose from. This includes items like a tire pressure monitoring system, pillion seat cowl, racing front brake pads, comfort seat for touring, aluminum rider footpegs and more. That being said, the bidirectional quickshifter should be offered as standard given the sporty characteristics of the motorcycle.

Aprilia Tuono 457 Standout Features

• High resolution 5-inch TFT with optional Bluetooth connectivity
• Throttle-by-wire with ride modes and multi-level traction control
• Distinct design compared to other Tuonos

Aprilia Tuono 457 Competition

Faces Strong Heat From Its Austrian, Japanese, and Chinese Rivals

The entry-level naked motorcycle segment is fiercely competitive with each manufacturer putting a strong foot forward. As for the Aprilia Tuono 457, it is up against the KTM 390 Duke, Kawasaki Z500 and CFMoto NK450. All three have strong points working in their favor. For the 390 Duke, it is a strong suite of electronics, while the Z500 and 450NK come with stronger performance at a lower price compared to the Tuono 457. However, it comes forth as a better overall package with its refined engine, fun riding dynamics and ample features. Plus, it is very much an Italian motorcycle made with quality components all round despite being manufactured in India.

Aprilia Tuono 457 Vs Rivals