Why did I sell my RS457? | Bitter truth | The GOOD & BAD

Summary

In this detailed review of the Aprilia RS457, the speaker highlights the motorcycle’s impressive engine performance, handling, and design, emphasizing its potential as a fun and beautiful ride. However, reliability issues, subpar braking performance, and inconsistent power delivery are major drawbacks. The speaker shares personal frustrations with engine failures, slow service responses, and quality inconsistencies, ultimately leading to the decision to sell the bike. Despite the RS457’s appealing attributes, the lack of consistent performance and unresolved flaws make it a less-than-ideal choice for daily use and long-term ownership.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Aprilia RS457 has a tractable engine, which makes it enjoyable to ride with good power delivery.
• 😀 The handling of the RS457 is excellent, thanks to its aluminum frame, making it one of the best handling motorcycles.
• 😀 The design of the RS457 is visually appealing, resembling a baby RS 660 or RSV4, making it a beautiful bike.
• 😀 The electronics package on the RS457 is solid, with features like three levels of traction control, rear ABS that can be disengaged, and a quick shifter.
• 😀 The bike has a unique exhaust sound, particularly with the GPR Ghost exhaust, which looks like a stock exhaust but has a full system.
• 😀 Despite various upgrades, the brakes on the RS457 remain a significant issue, with reports of brake fade and dissatisfaction with performance.
• 😀 The RS457's engine and power delivery are praised for being fun, with good tractability, unlike other parallel twins that require high RPMs.
• 😀 The reliability of the RS457 is a major concern, with issues like engine failure at 6,000 km and ongoing mechanical issues after repairs.
• 😀 Aprilia India has been criticized for not taking responsibility for the RS457's flaws, with some users blaming the Fuel X Pro for engine issues that occurred on multiple bikes.
• 😀 The lack of proper standardization across RS457 motorcycles is causing inconsistency in performance, with some bikes feeling underpowered or different from others.
• 😀 Many owners of the RS457 have sold their bikes due to the ongoing issues with the motorcycle, particularly with reliability and brake performance.

Q & A

What are the key positive aspects of the Aprilia RS457 according to the speaker?

The Aprilia RS457 has a tractable engine, excellent handling, beautiful design, a good electronics package, and enjoyable power delivery thanks to the 270° crank parallel twin-cylinder engine.

Why did the speaker feel dissatisfied with the braking performance of the RS457?

Despite various upgrades, including GPR Ghost exhaust and upgraded brake components, the speaker still felt that the brakes were not up to par, especially compared to the Brembo RCS 15 Corsa Kota used in other bikes.

What issues did the speaker face with the RS457's reliability?

The speaker experienced engine issues at just 6,000 km, including a damaged assembly cylinder head, and later, problems with the timing chain tensioner. The speaker also noted the poor response from service centers and lack of availability of replacement parts.

How did the speaker feel about the power output of the RS457?

The speaker felt that the RS457 was underpowered, especially compared to other bikes. Despite modifications, the bike's power output seemed to decrease over time, leading to a less-than-expected riding experience.

What did the speaker think about Aprilia India's handling of the RS457's issues?

The speaker expressed frustration with Aprilia India's response, particularly their tendency to blame issues on aftermarket modifications, such as the Fuel X Pro, and their failure to address recurring problems with the bike.

What specific upgrades were made to the speaker's friend's RS457?

The friend's RS457 was equipped with a GPR Ghost exhaust, Galfer brake rotors, SPS brake pads, Evotech protective accessories, an NRC tail tidy, WRS windscreen, adjustable levers, racing foot pegs, and a Gabro Racing tune.

Why did the speaker ultimately decide to sell the RS457?

The speaker sold the RS457 due to ongoing reliability issues, dissatisfaction with the brakes, and the hassle of dealing with frequent small niggles that required long trips to service centers. The speaker also sought peace of mind, preferring a more reliable daily commuter.

What is the issue with the standardization of RS457 motorcycles, according to the speaker?

The speaker pointed out that there is a lack of consistency across RS457 units, with differences in components and performance even within the same model. This lack of standardization made it difficult to rely on the bike's performance.

How did the speaker's experience compare when riding other RS457 bikes, particularly Vignesh's bike?

The speaker noted that Vignesh's RS457 felt even worse in terms of braking and power, with both bikes feeling underpowered compared to earlier experiences with the same model.

What frustrations did the speaker have with Aprilia India's service network?

The speaker was frustrated with the lack of availability of parts, long wait times for stock to arrive, and the need to travel long distances for service, especially for minor issues that could have been handled locally.