Aprilia Tuono 457 vs Tuono 457 Special Edition: Price and differences explained – Introduction

With the Special Edition, Aprilia has addressed almost all of the Tuono 457’s main complaints, but what exactly are the changes? At first glance, both motorcycles look the same and are largely the same too. This is a case of small changes adding up to a markedly different (and better) final product.

Aprilia Tuono 457 vs Tuono 457 Special Edition: Design

Slightly different, with a new color.

The most obvious change is the updated decals and new Mamba Black color. The new color combination, which is currently exclusive to the Special Edition, has a blacked-out chassis and swingarm, something that was not the case before. Even in the Puma Gray color (carried over from before), Aprilia has updated the decals to make the India-specific Special Edition look different compared to the international version of the Tuono 457.

Aprilia Tuono 457 vs Tuono 457 Special Edition: Comfort

Seat, handlebars and suspension see improvements

Starting with changes that are visible, Aprilia has updated the seat of the Tuono 457 so that it is now slightly different from the RS 457. Although the main difference is the additional padding, the seat profile has also been changed slightly to ensure that longer periods are more comfortable. The result is that the Special Edition has a 10mm higher seat height at 810mm, but we don’t expect anyone to complain about that. The next change is to the handlebars, which now have a 10mm higher riser, although the bar itself is unchanged. Lastly, there’s a standard mosquito net above the headlight, but we consider this a strictly cosmetic upgrade. Finally, the brake lever is now adjustable, although the clutch lever remains non-adjustable.

The changes that will not be visible are in the suspension. At launch, the Tuono appeared to share the exact same suspension setup as the RS 457, which pushed the majority, literally and figuratively. In the Special Edition, Aprilia has softened the front suspension in both damping and spring preload. While the rear has softer compression damping and spring preload; Rebound damping remains where it was before.

Aprilia Tuono 457 vs Tuono 457 Special Edition: Price

It costs 2,000 rupees more now

With all the updates, Aprilia has priced the Tuono 457 Special Edition at Rs 3.99 lakh (ex-showroom), an increase of Rs 2,000 over before. Despite the name, this is the only Tuono you can buy in India now, so if you’re a fan of the previous Tuono, tough luck.

Aprilia Tuono 457 vs Tuono 457 Special Edition: What didn’t change

Engine, chassis and most of the features.

The Tuono 457 engine immediately became a favorite at launch, so Aprilia has not changed it in any way. The Special Edition retains the 457cc liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine with a parallel-twin configuration. There are no changes to the performance figures either, as power (47.6 HP) and torque (43.5 Nm) remain exactly the same.

As we mentioned at the beginning, the list of updates to the Tuono 457 Special Edition is not long. However, most of them make a significant difference to the way the motorcycle rides, which is what Aprilia seems to have intended. It remains to be seen if these changes will help make the Tuono more popular than before.