Aprilia Tuono 457 (2025) Review: Aprilia’s A2-class naked tested

This Tuono is big news for Aprilia. Ever since the original ‘Thunder bike’ (Tuono is Italian for thunder) was launched by the Italian brand in 2002, as a speculative, limited edition, ‘naked’ version of the then RSV1000R sportster, it’s proved a big hit. That bike spawned a series of V-twin then V4 successors with, in more recent years, the family growing to include 50, 125 and 660 versions all to the extent that its now Aprilia’s most popular range.

For 2025, however, following the launch of the all-new RS457 A2 class sportster last year, a naked, Tuono version of that machine has been created and is intended to fill the A2-shaped gap between the Tuono 125 and 660.

As a sporty, parallel twin, A2-compliant roadster, its most obvious rival is Honda’s CB500F (but with a touch of added Italian flair and style), plus also Yamaha’s MT-03 and Kawasaki’s Z500.

For this review, undertaken at the new Tuono’s International Press launch and alongside sister company Moto Guzzi’s new V7 Sport, we spent half a day riding the bike in the mountains near Noale, northern Italy in dry, sunny conditions with temperatures approaching 20 degrees.

What’s new

Although based on the RS 457 sportster and with the same core parallel twin engine and Aprilia ‘signature’ aluminium twin beam frame plus most cycle parts, there is lots that’s new about the Tuono 457.

That frame carry-over makes the Tuono 457 the only naked in the A2 class with an aluminium twin beam frame, which gives it kudos from the outset. The roadster riding position: with straight bars that are 124mm higher and 14mm closer to the rider than the RS’s sports slip-ons (the footpegs position is unchanged) gives a natural, classic sporty naked riding position. Lower overall gearing gives extra low-down punch while a focus on maximum A2 power (47bhp) and light weight also gives the Tuono 457, Aprilia claim, the best power-to-weight ratio in the category.
 

But you might already have spotted something else that the new Tuono DOESN’T have – and that’s any kind of fairing. While the original 1000 and succeeding RSV4, 660 and 125 versions all had small, frame-mounted fairings (which, although welcome, had always, quite frankly, muddied its claim to be a true ‘naked’), the new 457 hasn’t. Instead, Aprilia says, it was so keen to show off that unique-in-class aluminium frame and the unembellished purity of its engine (whose cooling and  lubrication channels are largely internal, so giving a clean, uncluttered look not possible on, say, the RSV4) that it was decided that this Tuono, for the first time, would be a ‘proper’ naked. So, in the place of any fairing is a small, compact headlight binnacle or ‘nose console’ that acts as a housing for the stylish LED main beam, forms a foundation to hang off ancillaries likes the small indicators and gives no doubt a smidgeon of wind deflection into the bargain. Oh, and that saucy red lower lip? That’s inspired by the similar on the 2006 Tuono 1000 R that is…

The result, with updated bodywork throughout, is impressively and increasingly (the more you examine and get used to it) smart. Although slightly on the ‘dinky’ side overall (Aprilia’s newcomer is a ‘learner’, A2 500, after all), especially for my hefty six-foot-three, the Tuono 457 is also a handsome, great looking bike, pretty much from any angle. Aprilia say it’s aimed at ‘Generation Z’ and so, in their own words, has a ‘strong, youthful design’, so I’m a long way off being the best one to judge. But I think it’s great, is well-proportioned, has loads of nice details such as the heel guard on the swingarm and protection shrouding on the underslung exhaust. And with the slight exception of its ByBre (not Brembo) brakes and Indian ‘Eurogrip’ tyres the new Tuono 457 doesn’t in any way look budget or basic.

The Tuono 457’s dash and the rider’s eye view underlines that classy, almost premium feel. Identical to the RS’s, the dash comprises a decent size 5-inch TFT with a clean, attractive design, lots of features and all the info you could want. It’s also Bluetooth compatible. Switchgear is reasonable quality, too, the brake lever is span adjustable, and the mirrors are smart, even if they do show slightly too much of my elbows.

Price, colours and availability

The new Aprilia Tuono 457 goes on sale in the UK from April at a price of £6130 in standard trim, although our test bike also featured an accessory (and slick) quickshifter/autoblipper for which the price has yet to be released (but you can probably safely reckon on around £200). To my mind that price is impressive and tempting as it actually undercuts its obvious main rival, Honda’s CB500 yet is a more premium, better performing bike, and is partly achieved by being built in India (which also explains its slightly dubious Eurogrip tyres).

Colours-wise, two schemes are currently available: racy red and black or a slightly more sober white/grey combo which I preferred. A range of accessories and branded clothing is also to become available which includes things like small panniers, tank bag, red anodised cosmetic parts and the aforementioned quickshifter.
 

The obvious main rival to the Aprilia is Honda’s also A2 specific CB500 Hornet which is also powered by a 47bhp parallel twin and was updated into Hornet form (it was launched in 2014 as the CB500F and has been updated repeatedly ever since) in 2024 when it also gained twin discs. The Hornet, however, is currently slightly more expensive (at £6199 and hasn’t either the Tuono’s slick aluminium frame nor its fresher, more attractive style, although being a proven, successful Honda does have its compensations). Other bikes that should also be on your radar are the lighter, smaller, less powerful, 321cc twin cylinder Yamaha MT-03 at £6250 and Kawasaki’s less glamourous but still worthy Z500 twin which currently costs £6049.

What’s it like to ride

From the outset, as we potter out of Noale and head on arrow straight roads into the mountains, the new Tuono is simply a very nice place to be. Although the seat isn’t low, it’s tapered, easily accessible and broadens out into a comfortable, generous pad. (A ‘Comfort’ seat is also available as an optional extra). The riding position is just what you’d expect for a mid-size super naked, in being on the slightly inclined side of upright but in utterly manageable and lightweight proportions. Manoeuvres and wiggles were intuitive and playfully easy and the whole plot has a premium feel and air of excitement not usually associated with a so-called budget ‘first big bike’.

It’s that combination of completely unthreatening proportions, upright comfort, nimble agility and sporty aspirations which makes the new Tuono 457 fun from the outset. It’s so easy, instant and willing you can treat it like a toy. Yet all of that also makes it unintimidating and easy for first big bike buyers, too. The ride may not be sophisticated or refined, but it’s OK. The steering may be sharp and light, but it’s not nervous. It’s all ridiculously easy to ride and have fun with.

Aprilia’s 457cc motor is the more than willing accomplice in all of that. It may be a fairly commonplace parallel twin, but it somehow manages to feel special by having enough curdly character to satisfy yet at the same time sufficient refined smoothness, particularly at higher revs, to seem slick and efficient. At the same time its performance is beyond criticism. It pumps out the maximum 47bhp allowed and willingly revs towards 9000rpm to eke it out. But it’s also more than flexible, its lowered overall gearing (by having a 44-tooth rear sprocket in place of the RS’s 43) gives a little extra ‘fun factor’, its Sport riding mode adds just enough extra dynamism to the throttle and its (optional) quickshifter adds a sporting sheen. And through it all, the biggest commendation I can give is that it didn’t really ‘feel’ like an A2 powerplant, something that was restricted or somehow lacking, it felt just ‘right’

Stopping the Tuono 457 may not be quite as impressive or entertaining as ‘going’ on it, but it’s up to the job and I’ve no real complaints. Braking is taken care of by a fairly straightforward 320mm single disc grasped by a single, radially-mounted four-piston caliper – but not by Brembo, instead by the same firm’s more budget arm, ByBre. Pushed hard it may seem a touch lacking and, compared to the Moto Guzzi V7 Sport I’d ridden the day previously as part of the same launch and which now comes with a twin. Brembo radial four-piston caliper set-up, it possibly seems lacking. But the Aprilia’s a far lighter bike, I never had any problems, its traction control and cornering ABS provide added reassurance especially considering the slightly marginal EuroGrip Indian tyres and the Guzzi now, if anything, is over-braked.

You might think the lack of a fairing limits the new Tuono 457’s practicality and versatility but although our three-hour ride was quite brief and took in only country and city roads (with no M-ways or otherwise prolonged cruising), I’m inclined to think otherwise – at least to the extent of most people’s expectations of an A2 class bike. 

 

Although a little on the dinky side it’s comfortable enough (although I wouldn’t much fancy being a pillion), the headlamp cowl thingy does punch its way slightly through the wind and there are plenty of fairly practical official accessories available such as heated grips, small panniers, tank bag and so on.

Verdict

The new Tuono 457 not only ticks an awful lot of A2 roadster boxes it goes step further in having that ‘feel-good factor’ few bikes have. It’s not only as powerful as it can be, its flexible, has the option of a slick quick shifter and three neat modes all of which elevate Aprilia’s twin cylinder engine to the top of the A2 category. It even looks good and has plenty of character.

The 457’s chassis, pretty much matches the engine, too. It’s a gleaming work of art unique in the class; delivers easy, intrusive handling and is reasonably equipped with USD forks, radial brakes etc, even if the ride is nothing to get worked up about, the brakes are budget ByBres rather than Brembos, and the tyres are Indian EuroGrips, whatever they are. I guess you can’t have everything.

And it’s that last indicator – the fact the Tuono 457 is built in India, not that you could tell – that enables the biggest bonus about Aprilia’s newcomer of all. At £6130 its impressive value that undercuts even Honda’s Thailand-built CB500 Hornet.

The Aprilia, though, is not just better than the Honda (and probably all other current A2 nakeds), it’s better looking, better equipped, feels more like a grown-up bike (rather than a budget A2 one) and has a fun-packed integrity and completeness that’s rare. At 47bhp, fine looking and fun I started reminding myself of Yamaha’s iconic RD350LC, which, admittedly, may be taking things too far. But make no mistake, this is a great, classy, fun and affordable ‘first big bike’ that’ll have the Gen Z brigade drooling.

Pics: Milagro

2025 Aprilia Tuono 457 specs