BHPian Waspune recently shared this with other enthusiasts:Aprilia Tuono 457 – Riding ImpressionsHere are my initial impressions after riding the Tuono 457 for a good 30 minutes, though within city limits. The bike looks substantial, and the rider’s view is equally impressive-it gives the sensation of riding a proper, powerful sports bike. It comes with three riding modes: Sport (default), Eco, and Rain. I tried both Sport and Eco modes. Honestly, when I first started off in Sport mode, the throttle felt jumpy and overly eager to accelerate. So, I switched to Eco, and the throttle response became more sedate-much better for negotiating city traffic. Once I found some open road, I switched back to Sport, and the bike just flew! The pickup is robust right from the get-go, and the engine revs up to 7,000 RPM in no time. Sport mode definitely demands an experienced hand; otherwise, it can catch you off guard. I was genuinely surprised by the sheer acceleration this bike is capable of. It can easily keep up with middleweight superbikes-including my own Scrambler, which says a lot about the Tuono 457’s power delivery. Sport mode comes with the least intrusive traction control (Level 1), Eco with mid-level (Level 2), and Rain with the most intrusive setting (Level 3). The exhaust note is rich and satisfying-just as an Italian bike should sound, especially when revved out! I can only imagine how good it will sound with an aftermarket free-flow exhaust. Ergonomically, it’s quite committed for a naked bike-more so than the Duke 390 or my erstwhile G310R. The rear-set footpegs are placed quite high, and the handlebar requires a slight lean, but not to the point where all the weight comes onto the wrists. A handlebar riser would be a must-have if I were to buy this bike. Once astride, I could flat-foot with ease (I’m 5’9″). The fit and finish are good, though not great. The bike feels light and nimble-I could easily manoeuvre it at low speeds without putting my foot down. It flicks effortlessly from side to side and should be an absolute blast in the twisties. The suspension setup is definitely on the stiffer side, especially the rear shock. It’s not as comfortable as my Ducati, but it’s manageable. At least it didn’t throw me off like the Super Meteor 650 did! Given how quickly the engine revs, a quickshifter would really elevate the experience. The brakes have a strong bite-no complaints there. The seat felt comfortable during my 30-minute ride. The pillion seat, although not very large, should still be usable. All in all, I loved the bike, and if I was looking for a sub 500 cc naked bike, this would be it, albeit in the red-black colour way! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
