The Aprilia RS 457 versus the KTM RC 390 is the defining performance motorcycle comparison in India for riders who want real supersport capability without crossing Rs 5 lakh. Both have full fairings, both are track-capable, and both are aimed at the same enthusiast buyer. The gap between them - Rs 65,000 in price, a cylinder in the engine configuration, and two very different ownership realities - is what this comparison is about.
Price Comparison
| Aprilia RS 457 | KTM RC 390 | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Rs 4,10,000 | ~Rs 3,45,000 |
| Top variant | Rs 4,30,000 (Special Edition) | ~Rs 3,45,000 (single variant) |
The RC 390 is approximately Rs 65,000 cheaper - a gap that is neither trivial nor insurmountable, but one that every RS 457 buyer must consciously justify.
Specs That Matter
| Spec | Aprilia RS 457 | KTM RC 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 457cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin | 373cc, liquid-cooled, single |
| Max Power | 47.6 PS @ 9,250 rpm | 43 PS @ 9,000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 43.5 Nm @ 6,500 rpm | 37 Nm @ 7,000 rpm |
| ARAI Mileage | 27 kmpl | 35 kmpl |
| Kerb Weight | 175 kg | 163 kg |
| Seat Height | 820 mm | 824 mm (similar) |
| Front Suspension | 41mm USD forks | 43mm WP USD forks |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock, preload adj. | WP monoshock, fully adj. |
| Slipper Clutch | Yes | Yes |
| ABS | Cornering ABS (Bosch lean-sensing) | Dual-channel ABS (standard) |
| Riding Modes | Sport, Rain | Sport, Street, Track, Rain |
| TFT Display | 4.3-inch | 5-inch |
| Connectivity | Yes | Yes (more features) |
The RS 457 wins on power (47.6 vs 43 PS), torque (43.5 vs 37 Nm - a significant 6.5 Nm gap), and cornering ABS. The RC 390 wins on lighter weight (163 vs 175 kg - 12 kg less), better mileage (35 vs 27 kmpl), more riding modes, a larger TFT display, and WP fully-adjustable suspension.
Engine: RS 457's Twin-Cylinder Advantage
The Aprilia RS 457's 457cc parallel-twin is the centrepiece of its appeal. A parallel-twin fundamentally changes how a motorcycle performs in real-world riding:
Torque at usable rpm: The RS 457's 43.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm versus the RC 390's 37 Nm at 7,000 rpm means the Aprilia pulls harder at the rpm range where roads and traffic are navigated. On a highway roll-on from 80-120 kmph, the torque advantage is felt immediately - the twin pulls without urgency, the single demands revs.
Smoothness: A parallel-twin is inherently smoother than a single at highway speeds. The RC 390 vibrates perceptibly above 100 kmph - it is a known characteristic that RC 390 owners accept. The RS 457's twin runs more smoothly at all speeds, reducing fatigue on longer rides.
Character: The RC 390's single has a more immediate, sharp throttle response - it rewards riders who enjoy working the gearbox aggressively. The RS 457's twin feels more composed, more planted. Whether "zingy single" or "composed twin" is better is a genuine preference split among riders.
Weight: RC 390's Most Important Advantage
The KTM RC 390 at 163 kg versus the RS 457's 175 kg is a 12 kg gap - the largest practical difference between these bikes in daily riding.
12 kg is the weight of a large bag of rice. On a motorcycle you are picking up at parking, manoeuvring at 10 kmph in a tight space, or catching at a stop, that difference is physically felt. On a track, 12 kg is a handling deficit that requires the RS 457's rider to carry more speed to compensate.
The RC 390's WP suspension - 43mm fully-adjustable USD front forks and a fully-adjustable rear monoshock - is also objectively superior hardware to the RS 457's non-adjustable setup. For track riders who want to tune suspension to their weight and riding style, this matters.
Cornering ABS: RS 457's Safety Edge
The RS 457's Bosch cornering ABS with lean-angle sensing is a safety technology the RC 390 does not offer. Standard dual-channel ABS on the RC 390 intervenes when wheel lockup is detected regardless of lean angle - cornering ABS modifies that intervention based on how far the bike is leaned, preventing the abrupt corrections that standard ABS can cause mid-corner.
For a track-day rider or an aggressive road rider who brakes late into corners, cornering ABS is a genuinely meaningful safety advancement. For a commuter who rides upright, the difference is rarely felt. Most RS 457 buyers in this comparison are the former.
Riding Modes and Electronics
The KTM RC 390 has four riding modes (Sport, Street, Track, Rain) versus the RS 457's two (Sport, Rain). On the track, the RC 390's dedicated Track mode with adjusted ABS intervention is the more useful setup. On the road, the difference is less significant.
The RC 390's 5-inch TFT display is larger than the RS 457's 4.3-inch unit. KTM's My Ride connectivity suite is also more developed than Aprilia's in terms of features and app integration maturity.
Service Network: RC 390's Decisive Practical Advantage
The KTM RC 390 is sold through Bajaj's dealer network in India - the same network that services Pulsar, Dominar, and Avenger motorcycles. This means authorised KTM service in nearly every city, town, and many large villages across India. Parts availability, trained technicians, and service history documentation are all well-established.
The Aprilia RS 457 is sold through Piaggio India's dealer network - significantly smaller, concentrated primarily in metro and large cities. Outside the top 10-15 cities, finding an authorised Aprilia service centre is a genuine challenge. For a performance motorcycle that requires specialist servicing, this is a material ownership concern.
If you ride in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, or Chennai, Aprilia service is accessible. If you're in Indore, Nagpur, Coimbatore, or Lucknow, the RC 390 is the far more practical choice.
Track Performance
On a track, the RS 457's 4.6 PS power advantage over the RC 390 is measurable but not transformative. The RC 390's 12 kg weight advantage and superior WP suspension adjustability give it sharper direction changes and better setup flexibility. At a pure track-day comparison, experienced riders will find the RC 390 easier to push to its limits - the lighter weight and adjustable suspension mean you can configure it precisely.
The RS 457's cornering ABS provides a safety net that allows later braking into corners, partially compensating for the weight disadvantage for less experienced track riders.
Long-Term Ownership
The KTM RC 390 has been in production since 2013 and has extensive long-term ownership data, known service intervals, and a well-established community of owners and tuners. Forum resources, aftermarket parts, and service tips are abundant.
The RS 457 launched in October 2023. Long-term reliability data is still being gathered. The Aprilia RS 660 (same brand, similar parallel-twin approach at a larger displacement) has a good European reliability record, which is encouraging. But two-plus years of RS 457 India-specific data is not yet available.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Aprilia RS 457 if:
- The parallel-twin engine's torque and smoothness are important to you
- Cornering ABS matters for your riding style - track days, aggressive road riding
- You're in a metro city where Piaggio service is accessible
- Aprilia's Italian supersport identity and RS family DNA are part of the appeal
- You're prepared to pay Rs 65,000 more for the strongest performance specification in the segment
Buy the KTM RC 390 if:
- Price matters - Rs 65,000 is a real difference that buys additional track equipment, tyres, or riding gear
- Lighter weight is a priority - 12 kg less is felt in every direction change, every parking manoeuvre
- WP fully-adjustable suspension is important for track setup
- You're outside a major metro where Bajaj-KTM's deeper service network is essential
- More riding modes and a larger TFT display matter to you
- You want the security of an established owner community and long-term reliability data
The Honest Take
The Aprilia RS 457 is the more powerful, more sophisticated motorcycle on spec. The parallel-twin, cornering ABS, and Italian supersport pedigree are things the RC 390 cannot match at any price. For a metro-city buyer who evaluates on engineering and brand identity, the Rs 65,000 premium over the RC 390 is justifiable.
The KTM RC 390 remains the better-rounded ownership proposition for most Indian performance motorcycle buyers: lighter, better-suspended, more modes, deeper service network, Rs 65,000 cheaper, and with the established reliability track record of a decade-long platform. It is the harder bike to argue against on practical grounds.
Test-ride both before deciding - the engine character difference between a single and a parallel-twin is something that cannot be communicated in a spec comparison. Some riders prefer the single's urgency; others prefer the twin's composure. Your riding style determines which matters more.
