COMFORT CLASS. Among Aprilia’s revisions on the Tuono 457 are a redesigned seat, increased handlebar height and recalibrated suspension performance  | Photo Credit: Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala

A year and a half has passed since the Aprilia Tuono 457 was launched in India. I remember my first ride astride it as if it were yesterday, though not for the greatest of reasons. Having sampled the full-faired RS 457 only a little earlier, I had huge expectations of the Tuono, and while it was fundamentally the same bike but in street-friendly guise, it also wasn’t. The Tuono’s Achilles heel was its suspension and ergonomics package — and that really came in the way of enjoying what had tremendous potential as a twin-cylinder naked streetbike. That also happens to be exactly what Aprilia has addressed.  

The Tuono 457 Special Edition is, firstly, not a limited-edition model. The new suffixes are simply what Aprilia has chosen to attach to the Tuono nameplate to distinguish it from its predecessor. There are visual changes in the form of revised graphics on the bodywork and rims, and also a new flyscreen — you can spot the differences, sure, but none of it is headline-grabbing stuff. I wish Aprilia would let this otherwise racy-looking motorcycle wear bolder colours than black and white. The real changes are in the department of comfort.  

Smoother ride

While the suspension hardware is identical, it’s been retuned (compression and rebound damping, mainly) to provide a smoother, more amicable ride quality, something the previous version strongly lacked. Over a fairly engaging ride involving a mix of road surfaces, its evolution on the suspension front was immediately apparent, and while it still has a sporty bias, it’s no longer a motorcycle you’ll have to confine to impeccable roads. It’s no magic carpet, of course, but it’s much better for sure. The raised handlebar (courtesy risers; the handlebar is the same as before) may have chipped away slightly at the sporty edge the Tuono had, but I, for one, found myself enjoying it even more. If increased usability was the agenda, Aprilia has used a simple formula to arrive at the solution and it really works. Oh, and while the 800-mm seat height (up by 10 mm) still works fine, please leave your pillion at home! 

Most importantly, these small but significant updates have helped bring focus back to the Tuono’s real party piece — that beautiful 457cc 47-bhp parallel-twin engine. To the uninitiated, this engine by Aprilia is a proper powerhouse, refined and linear, but with enough excitement in store pretty much all the way to the top. In relatable terms, here’s an engine that feels as much fun between traffic light sprints as it does, when you’re in sixth gear, trying to discover its top speed (on a racetrack, of course). At 100 kph, it’s at ease, and it’s got the kind of reserves that will comfortably encourage you to up your cruising speeds. It helps that it now offers the comfort to be able to spend long days in its saddle, too.  

Dynamic control

One sore miss is the inclusion of a quickshifter as standard fitment. This is not an engine that deserves to be experienced without one, and while the 6-speed gearbox is slick, I couldn’t get past the omission. That it’s a paid extra is, perhaps, a small mercy, and if there’s anything you’re going to reach out for from Aprilia’s accessories bin, let the quickshifter be it. In other news, the brakes are fantastic, with the adjustable brake lever and taller handlebar equally aiding leverage under hard braking. The tyres, too, seemed to work brilliantly over the dry and mostly impeccable tarmac we rode it on, and its overall chassis dynamics, suspension characteristics and ergonomics — and its 175-kg kerb weight — make it an even more accessible corner carver than it always was.  

At ₹3.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Tuono is a pretty tempting motorcycle for those of you looking for a street naked that can confidently double up as a trackday tool. While there are other temptations in the way (the KTM 390 Duke R comes to mind), this Tuono is one you can comfortably give a shot.  

©TheMotorGram

Published on August 14, 2026