Review: 2025 Aprilia Tuono 457
Based on the technical platform of the RS 457, the new Aprilia Tuono 457 is a true naked bike dedicated to everyday riding with a touch of sportiness. The Italian twin carries an important name: the first Tuono 1000 was presented in 2002, paving the way for powerful naked bikes and becoming a symbol of technology, performance, and fun on the road and on the track.
The entry-level Tuono is the latest heir to that sportbike tradition with a raised handlebar, but unlike its predecessors, it has no fairing. The designers have developed a personal look around the cast aluminum frame and the new fuel tank, which contributes to comfortable ergonomics.
The tail section has also been redesigned, and a compact LED headlight gives the front end a familiar look. With a seat height of 31.4 inches, the Tuono 457 is easy to maneuver even for smaller riders.
The liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder is the same as on the R 457. It develops its maximum power of 47.6 hp at 9,400 rpm, with peak torque of 32 lb-ft arriving at 6,700 rpm.
The powertrain remains visible in the chassis, and the exhaust system under the gearbox allows for a slender tail that makes the bike easier to handle. The cylinders are offset by 0.25 inches from the crankshaft center to reduce friction when the pistons are pushed down. Aprilia has made the countershaft and water pump run on roller bearings instead of plain bearings, while the piston pins have a diamond-like carbon (DLC) finish.
The wet multi-disc clutch is power-assisted and features an anti-hopping system. The Tuono 457's final drive has a shorter ratio, thanks to an extra tooth on the rear sprocket, giving even greater responsiveness to every touch of the electronic ride-by-wire throttle.
With a dry weight of 350 pounds, the Tuono sets a class record in terms of power-to-weight ratio. The frame consists of two cast aluminum beams, bolted together at the steering head and at the rear end, with the engine as the load-bearing element. This makes the 457 road bikes (Tuono and RS) the only small twin-cylinder road bike to feature an alloy frame.
An inverted 41mm fork and 4.7 inches of travel keeps the bike on track at the front end. The preload can be adjusted like on the rear shock absorber with 5.1 inches of travel, which is connected directly to the steel swingarm.
The brake system relies on a pair of Brembo ByBre calipers working on a single 320mm steel disc at the front and 220mm one at the rear. It’s supported by a Bosch ABS system with dual-map operation. The cast 17-inch wheels are fitted with Eurogrip tires in sizes 110/70 at the front and 150/60 at the rear that complement the spectacular agility offered by the chassis geometry.
Aprilia has included three ride modes (Eco, Sport, Rain) on the motorcycle, controlling power and torque delivery, as well as traction control, which can be adjusted in three levels for all modes, even while riding. The ABS can be disengaged when the bike is stationary to maximize sporty track behavior.
The dashboard features a five-inch TFT display that can be connected to a smartphone via Aprilia's MIA system. The Tuono 457 is available in Piranha Red and Puma Grey.
The Ride
In the saddle, you’ll notice the ergonomics of a more adult bike. The seat is rather stiff and when turning the handlebar to the end of the stroke, you’ll have to be careful not to crush your thumb between the electric switches and the fuel tank.
Riding the bike around Aprilia's headquarters near Venice, Italy, I noticed the clutch lever was easy to operate. However, it was a little far from the handlebar and not adjustable like the brake lever. Shifting worked well, neutral was easy to find, and the quickshifter (an optional accessory) did a good job.
Around 3,000 rpm, the twin-cylinder engine was already pushing quite insistently to produce a nonchalant ride on the road. As 6,000 rpm arrived, the smallest Aprilia twin really kicked into gear and showed its powerful character while rushing toward the rev limiter.
The Tuono 457’s powertrain offers a wide range of use with surprisingly high torque for such a small displacement. If you prefer a more sporty ride on the track, though, the Aprilia also allows you to pull the gears for a more aggressive riding style.
At high revs, I felt slight vibration, but thanks to the elastic support of the footpegs, it never reached an annoying level. Visibility in the rearview mirrors is limited due to their too-narrow positioning.
On good tarmac, the Tuono 457’s suspension offered pleasant feedback from the road with sufficient progression, but when the track got rougher, comfort suffered a little. Nevertheless, on the twisty northern Italian mountain roads, the motorcycle became a real toy. Turning was very easy, the 457 handling even quick changes in direction with precision.
All this maneuverability did not affect the stability of the Tuono 457, even though the bike has no steering damper. The Eurogrip tires did an excellent job on dry asphalt, but I’m curious to see how they would behave in wet conditions. The single-disc brake at the front is powerful enough and can be modulated with ease, while the rear stopper is less intrusive.
The Tuono 457 is an interesting proposition in the small-to-medium segment because it has a sporty character that does not hide the values of the Aprilia Tuono tradition. As such, it is practically the only true naked sport bike in that class with an alloy frame and exceptional power/weight ratio.
The 2025 Aprilia Tuono 457 is capable of satisfying riders on a budget looking for a brilliant ride, even on an everyday naked bike.
Technical Specs
Distributor: Piaggio Group Americas
MSRP: $6,599
Engine: Parallel-twin, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve
Displacement: 457cc
Power: 47.6hp @9,000rpm; 32lb-ft @6,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed, servo-assisted multiplate wet clutch, slipper system, chain final drive
Weight (Wet): 385lbs
Seat Height: 31.4in
Fuel Capacity: 3.6gal
Colors: Piranha Red, Puma Gray