Aprilia RS 457 vs. Tuono 457: What Are The Key Differences?
Aprilia’s RS 457 and the Tuono 457 share engineering DNA — but their design philosophies diverge sharply, particularly in how each interprets what a modern middleweight sportbike should be.
The RS 457 carries the sharp, fully faired sportbike silhouette we know and love, with a riding position to match that puts the rider in a forward, engaged stance.
The Tuono, by contrast, trades aggressive ergonomics for a more upright posture and a stripped-down look that leans into Aprilia’s history. It’s a deliberate nod to the original Tuono 1000R V-twin from 2006, a model that helped define the brand’s street-focused character bikes.
Our own Nic de Sena had a chance to sample the differences when he rode the Tuono 457 for the first time earlier this year:
Where some of the larger Tuonos blur the line between naked and sportbike — often wearing enough bodywork to make the term “naked” debatable — the Tuono 457 takes a cleaner approach. Its headlight assembly mounts directly to the fork rather than being integrated into a half-fairing.
Like the rest of Aprilia's lineup, the RS models remain track-leaning and aerodynamic, while the Tuono is a raw street machine.
Which one works better for you?
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Ever notice that all of Aprilia's Supersport bikes have a corresponding (Tuono) version with comfortable (upright) bars, and a more relaxed seating position? That strikes me as a smart business model.