Twelve. That is the number of months between Aprilia unveiling its RS 457 and the bike being named Cycle World’s Best Lightweight Streetbike of 2024. Beginner’s luck? Lack of competition? No, and absolutely not. In fact, the lightweight category is one of the most hotly contested segments in motorcycling right now. So how does a rookie become MVP?
Family ties lay the foundation. Yes, the 457 is an all-new bike, but in borrowing design language and technology from the venerable RSV4 and RS 660, Aprilia has powered through the awkward development stage that can stifle new bikes. The result is a motorcycle that caters to entry-level riders while offering a sense of richness not typically found in the small-displacement category; this is not a big bike, but dimensions, lines, and features tell you it’s more than a budget-focused starter bike that riders will quickly outgrow.
A liquid-cooled 457cc parallel-twin engine and cast aluminum twin-spar frame bolster the experience. The former offers smooth power delivery and a rewarding top-end rush, and the latter an incredible sense of stability, especially when matched to the bike’s taut suspension. These are expected traits from any sportbike, but in this platform there’s a perceptible edge to every last component—an edge not typically found on lightweight streetbikes, let alone a rookie to the class. Then again, the RS 457 isn’t your typical entry into the two-wheeled world. It’s a deserving MVP, and quite simply, the Best Lightweight Streetbike of 2024.