famed filmset caterers . All the demo bikes , including the new livery and packages for the RSV4 , the Tuono Factory , the RS660 and the Tuareg were perfectly presented . I won ’ t go on about the bigger bikes as this day was really for the presentation of Aprilia ’ s smallest road / race offering .
TECH AND PRICING The new RS457 models hold all the Italian marque ’ s superb styling cues . Beautifully engineered , in three liveries , opalescent light ( white ), racing stripes and prismatic dark the Aprilia RS 457 is powered by an ultra-tech , high-performance , liquid-cooled parallel-twin DOHC four-valve engine , delivering 48hp . An aluminium alloy chassis , delivers a bike with a weight of just 159kg , creating a pretty acceptable power-to-weight ratio . Up front there ’ s a small windscreen , a 5-inch TFT colour display , with three ride modes ( Eco , Rain and Sport ), and an LED headlight with integrated indicators . It sits on 17-inch wheels with Bybre brakes ( By Brembo ) on twin 320mm discs up front , and a 220mm at the rear .
So far so excellent , but the biggest surprise here is the pricing structure for NZ . The importers have worked miracles to be able to deliver these at $ 10,590 for the light or the dark , and $ 10,990 for the racing stripes version , but which includes a quickshifter . These prices are considerably lower than one would find in Australia , so Aprilia clearly means business in this market . It turns out I didn ’ t get a ride ... but those who did were all fed , marshalled and entertained , free of charge . Normal track days incur a hefty price tag , and to have that waived for riders , and covered by the importer , was generous in the extreme . As an exercise in giving something back to your client base this was truly generous and remarkable . So , what did those spoken to , say to me about their day ? “ Mate ! Its F *** Ing AWESOME !”. “ Bloody brilliant ”. “ Oh , it ’ s amazing , bro . Great day .” “ Doesn ’ t get better than this .” So , I ’ m not the only one with a ‘ bit of fizz in the blood ’ then . PETER ELLIOTT
48 KIWI RIDER