HE TWO SMALL- AND MEDIUM-DISPLACEMENT SPORTS MOTORCYCLES ARE THE COUNTRY’S MOST POPULAR MODELS, WITH OVER 21% OF THE MARKET SHARE
THESE NEW SPORTS BIKES HAVE ALSO PROVED EXTREMELY POPULAR IN THE USA – A MARKET IN WHICH APRILIA HAS SEEN 12% GROWTH OVER THE PAST YEAR – AS WELL AS IN EUROPE, WHERE THE RS 660 IS ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING SPORTS BIKES OVERALL, DRIVEN IN PART BY APRILIA’S MOTOGP SUCCESS
THE RS RANGE REPRESENTS THE VERY BEST OF THE MODERN ROAD SPORTS BIKE CATEGORY, CREATED BY APRILIA ITSELF, THANKS TO ITS LIGHTWEIGHT, HIGH-PERFORMANCE BIKES THAT ARE BOTH APPEALING AND AFFORDABLE, DELIVERING PLENTY OF FUN ON THE ROAD AS WELL AS SUPERB PERFORMANCE ON THE TRACK
The Aprilia RS 660 continues to enjoy remarkable success in the fairing sports bike market; in 2025, it was once again the best-selling model in Italy, closely followed by the Aprilia RS 457 in second place. The success of the RS 660 and RS 457 is the result of Aprilia’s genius intuition; the company was the first to take an innovative, modern approach to sporty bikes, creating a new generation of lightweight, high-performance motorcycles equipped with top-of-the-range technical and electronic features, accessible to all and fun to ride on a daily basis for those new to motorbikes, yet more than capable of delivering excitement on the track and in the hands of more experienced riders.
The Aprilia RS 660 is the godfather of the new generation of road-going sports bikes, referred to simply as ‘SportBikes’, and has been conceived to rekindle the joy of riding with clip-on handlebars on the road, whilst remaining rapid and effective on the track too. This is demonstrated by the results achieved in all the championships in which the Aprilia RS 660 has competed, including the Twin Cup classes in MotoAmerica and the SportBike class in the British Superbike championship, where it has always taken the top spots. In 2026, the SportBike class will also make its début in the World Superbike Championship, with four RS 660 motorcycles set to line up on the grid, promising to make their presence felt from the off.
The incredible lap time of 1’45”129 set by Marco Bezzecchi in the Race of Stars, a competition held between the best Aprilia riders of all time during the Aprilia All Stars festival at the Misano circuit, was achieved on a standard RS 660 Factory bike, in line with the FMI regulations – a result that serves as the cherry on the cake for this extraordinary model.
In 2025, Aprilia was the leading European brand in terms of sales of fairing sports bikes in Europe, with 13% of the market share; this is thanks in part to the brand’s comprehensive range, spanning from the RS 125 (Aprilia’s entry-level sports bike) to the queen of superbikes, “Her Majesty” the RSV4; indeed, Aprilia alone sold more sports bikes than its two main European competitors combined. The RS 660 is one of the top-selling sports bikes in Europe, while the RS 457 has also recorded excellent sales figures, meeting the mobility, style and taste requirements of young motorcycle riders.
In the United States, the sports bike segment was the only area that saw growth in 2025, and is now the second largest after the motocross segment. Aprilia is fifth when it comes to sales of sports bikes (and is the leading European manufacturer), as well as being the brand that saw the most growth in 2025 (+30% over 2024).
The growing success of Aprilia in terms of global sports bikes sales reflects the company’s traditional and globally-recognised status as a manufacturer of the highest-quality motorcycle chassis, and this goes hand in hand with its success in the MotoGP. The 2025 season was Aprilia’s best ever in the premier class of the World Championship, with Marco Bezzecchi finishing third in the Riders’ ranking; meanwhile, the team took home second place in the Constructors’ standings, thanks to three wins in the long races, three in the sprints, 15 podium finishes and five pole positions.
Aprilia RS 457
With the RS 457, Aprilia enters a segment with a focus on the future, both in terms of the next generation and new markets; this bike has been conceived to meet the growing demand for motorcycles that are easy to handle yet fun, boasting cutting-edge technology and design.
The Aprilia RS 457 is the fruit of a completely new design, with key strengths include its lightness (it has the best possible power-to-weight ratio for a bike that can be ridden on an A2 licence), its ease of handling and its technological equipment. The RS 457 is designed to support riders as they grow and develop, both on the road and on the track.
It is powered by an all-new liquid-cooled, front-mounted twin-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, which delivers 35 kW of power, the maximum permitted for a motorcycle that can be ridden on an A2 licence. In addition to its power, the bike also boasts a dry weight of just 159 kg (175 kg when fully fuelled), lending it a power-to-weight ratio that is simply unbeatable. The aluminium frame (which also incorporates the engine) and the adjustable suspension create a chassis that is a benchmark within the sector. In line with true Aprilia tradition, the standard electronic equipment offered with this model is extremely comprehensive: Ride-by-Wire throttle, three Riding Modes, ABS and adjustable traction control, which can also be deactivated. Accessories include the electronic quick-shift gearbox.
Aprilia RS 457 is also available in the GP Replica version, a tribute to the RS-GP used to compete in MotoGP.
Aprilia RS 660
The godfather of the new generation of sports road bikes, this model ushers in a whole new concept of sportiness: premium technical features and superb performance that is never excessive, enabling riders to rediscover the pleasure of dynamic riding on the road – a sports bike suitable for all motorcyclists, which requires no particular experience or skill. The innovative concept behind the design lies in the RS 660’s optimal power-to-weight ratio, which makes for a fun, joyful riding experience, whether during everyday use or in more sporty contexts: 169 kg and 105 hp – the perfect formula for fun on the road.
From a technical perspective, the RS 660 is truly unique within its genre: an aluminium frame and swingarm, coupled with a high-performance parallel-twin engine makes it accessible to all. The electronic equipment is top of the range, with Ride-by-Wire throttle control and a six-axis inertial platform to enable the APRC electronic assistance package to function optimally.
There are five Riding Modes designed to adjust the behaviour of the electronic controls to maximise safety and enjoyment during everyday trips, dynamic road riding and riding on the track.
The Aprilia RS 660 also stands out for its particularly advanced aerodynamics, featuring a twin fairing that acts as an aerodynamic appendage to optimise the stability of the bike at high speeds, whilst providing the rider and passenger with maximum protection from the air pressure.
Also available in a Factory version, which, in true Aprilia tradition, features a more comprehensive and refined standard set-up.
Michael Le Pard (“Mr. Totalmotorcycle”) is the Founder of Total Motorcycle, the world’s largest motorcycle information site, trusted by over 430 million riders since 1999. With over 34 years of experience in motorcycles, gear and rider culture, he has built a global community dedicated to empowering and inspiring motorcyclists.
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