The “slow” sports bike that teaches you to ride like a professional

At some point we’ve all watched Marc Marquez throw a MotoGP bike around the track and thought to ourselves: “I have to do that”. To then hit the track on a liter class sports bike (which is the closest thing to a MotoGP bike we can get) and realize that this is a lot harder than it looks. Now that you’ve had your humble pie, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be so difficult.

All you have to do is drive slowly around the track, just like your favorite world champions did. You need to start small and get something that teaches you the basics of riding a big bike fast without intimidating you like a liter bike would. Luckily, there’s one bike that promises just that. Here is the slow sport bike that will help you learn to ride like a pro.

The Aprilia RS 457 is the ‘slow’ sports bike that teaches you to ride like a professional

Naturally, we had to look at the entry-level segment to justify the “slow” in the title. At the same time, we had to take into account the overall driving dynamics and experience, as this would be the stepping stone to becoming a professional. Taking this into account, we think the Aprilia RS 457 is the perfect choice here. The driving force here is the class-leading aluminum perimeter chassis.

This is something that full-size liter bikes possess (even most modern medium-duty bikes use steel frames), which gets you used to the overall feel and feedback that a full-size bike would give you. So you understand how the bike feels when braking on the trail, how the rear end moves when you don’t ease into the throttle, and the bike’s response to different inputs/weight changes. Likewise, the adjustability of the suspension adds to this experience.

You will also gain insight into the electronics that you would get on a large bicycle. For example, you can work with ABS first. If the ABS kicks in, you’re probably going too hard with the front lever and the initial application needs work. And with smoother braking, the 457 allows you to reduce disruption and disable the rear ABS. The traction control helps the same for the rear wheel (how smoothly you should accelerate).

In addition to the 457, the Kawasaki Ninja 500 also deserves praise. Unlike the 457, it’s all about getting the basics right. That’s because the Ninja has a much simpler package (telescopic forks, trellis chassis and a smooth-firing parallel-twin engine). So it will happily serve as your partner in learning the basics of riding like a pro. But we think you’ll hit a plateau here sooner than the 457.

The RS 457 has razor-sharp driving dynamics

As for the bike itself, the RS 457 has a lot to offer. But after driving it extensively on the track, the handling is one of the ultimate selling points. The feedback is brilliant and you know exactly what the wheels are doing beneath you. At the same time, the 41mm USD forks and monoshock are adjustable in case you want to improve driving dynamics. The only minor issue is the brakes, which can fade when the ambient temperature is high and you brake hard lap after lap. Aprilia’s official race pads (sold as accessories) solve that problem.

The aluminum frame ensures that the weight remains low

From afar the RS 457 looks like a big motorcycle and from the cockpit it feels like one too. But the aluminum frame keeps the weight down: just 385 pounds wet. That’s almost 40 pounds less than the Honda CBR500R and just a few more than the Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE ABS. What remains unclear are the exact dimensions of the wheelbase and ground clearance.

There is no shortage of punch on the Aprilia RS 457

Although this is an entry-level model, the RS 457 has enough power to keep us all entertained. The 457cc, parallel-twin engine features a 270-degree crankshaft to ensure the 47 horsepower and 32 pound-feet are distributed throughout the rev range. That means a lot of ease of use for the street. But it also allows you to increase gear in tight corners without sacrificing drive.

For comparison: a Ninja 500 – with its normal firing order – should be turned hard for the same drive. The spec sheet paints the same picture: the 457’s torque peaks almost 1,000 rpm earlier than the Ninja 500. There’s no shortage of top-end power, though, as the RS can take you to 125 miles per hour.

Industry-leading electronics keep you safe

All that torque can launch you to the moon if there’s a lack of traction. So Aprilia has thrown in some nice electronic aids here. There are riding modes, engine maps, an anti-rollover system, traction control and dual-channel ABS modes with two intervention modes. These are accessed via an illuminated switch and a bright 5-inch TFT instrument cluster. You should know that no other bike in this segment has such electronic aids!

The Aprilia RS 457 retails for $6,799

Finally, there is the price. The RS 457 starts from $6,799, while the MotoGP-inspired Racing Stripes livery costs $100 more. At that price, it sits $400 more than the 2026 Honda CBR500R and the Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE ABS. We think the money is well justified by the aluminum chassis itself, but the extra features further enhance the value proposition here.

Overall performance is on par with its rivals, so you’re not exactly losing anything either. That said, it’s worth noting that the 457’s price could increase in the near future as the new-for-2026 liveries are on their way to the US.