First, a spirited roar on a combination of elements that felt distinctly Italian. The sound from the engine, the tautness of the suspension and the seat, the riding position's slightly aggressive demands; all those sensations painted a vivid il tricolore in my mind.
Then, a frenzied scream on more physically considerate components, typically Japanese. Every lever and every action possessed the feel that comes as standard equipment with the tuning-fork badge from the land of the rising sun. Later, the thought speed is relative, feel is subjective; relativity and subjectivity both need external factors for any interpretation, and neither is absolute. And if two motorcycles as different in feel as the Aprilia RS 457 and the Yamaha YZF-R3 engage in a fast-road dogfight, what is it that really matters?
On a motorcycle, feel is everything. On a fast motorcycle, FEEL IS EVERYTHING. So, while I clocked more than 160 kph on each bike, the difference was stark. The RS 457's effortlessness to get past that mark was what surprised me the most. It was that great American aphorism at work - there's no replacement for displacement. The Aprilia's cubic capacity is exactly what it says on the label, and it's quite the blessing, whether it's outright speed or everyday flexibility. In fifth gear, closing in on the redline, there was still plenty of scope for velocity left; Aprilia's US website claims a top speed of 193 kph! Between the displacement and the 270° crank, the RS 457 felt more like a V-motor than a parallel-twin, too. And put together with its glorious sound, the Aprilia felt rather special and unlike any Indian-made bike so far.
Bu hikaye Motoring World dergisinin May 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Motoring World dergisinin May 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
STRIKE HARD!
The KYT Striker lands a tough blow in the entry-level helmet segment in India
SHUTTER SPEED
Performance benchmarks from the Y2K era get together for 36 frames of action
OLD FLAMES
They say that getting old isn't for the faint of heart.
SPEED OF LIGHT
Three of the sportiest 125cc motorcycles go head to head for all the glory
QUESTION IT ALL
Everyone has an answer, but what's the right question?
SINGLE DOUBT
In a world that goes gaga over multi-cylinder engines, these singles will steal your heart
HYBRID HAVOC
The Lexus RX 500h F Sport breaks away from the mould, with its bold styling and sport-tuned performance
LIGHT SPEED
BMW’s new luxury EV sedan has supercar-level performance. Naturally, we had to go out and experience it
V8 WHAT?
We test the world's most powerful 2.0-litre engine to see if it can truly replace a V8
NEWFOUND DZIRE
Smarter, safer, and loaded with features, the new Dzire is ready to remind us why it's ruled the segment for ages