#rs457

The evolution of Ducati’s Panigale V4 platform since its introduction is nothing short of remarkable. It’s widely accepted that the first iteration was an unruly beast of a motorcycle with a powerful engine mated to a stiff and unwieldy chassis, making it hard to ride fast and especially hard to ride fast consistently. Ducati’s updates in 2020 and 2022 have been steps in the right direction, but the 2025 version absolutely blows the doors off anything that came before it.

CFMoto has been making waves with its motorcycle lineup by turning the tide on public perception of Chinese motorcycles. We experienced it first with the 700 CL-X in our $7,000 Shootout, then with the 800 NK naked bike, and then with the Ibex 450 after that. And honestly, we should have been paying attention earlier, as guest tester William Roberson came back with positive things to say during his First Ride review of the CFMoto 450SS back in July of 2023. Though all the bikes have their quirks, we’ve been impressed with CFMoto’s fit and finish, which we’d put up against any of its contemporaries. Then, of course, there’s the price. Routinely on par, or less than, the competition, CFMoto’s price point is one of its most attractive features. 

A refreshing gateway drug into the world of Aprilia

Are you eyeing a smaller bike as your next motorcycle?

In a significant stride towards innovation, Aprilia has introduced the RS 457, a motorcycle that not only represents a leap forward in technology but also widens its appeal to new demographics and markets. This move comes as a response to the ever-growing global demand for accessible yet exhilarating motorcycles, positioning Aprilia as a brand with something for every customer.

Aprilia has posted teasers across its official international websites and various social media channels for a new sportbike. Based on what little can be seen from the teaser image, it looks to be a smaller-displacement version of the RS 660 to compete against the likes of the KTM RC 390, Yamaha YZF-R3 or Kawasaki Ninja 400. While many are assuming it will be called the RS 440, Motorcycle.com can confirm it will actually be called the Aprilia RS 457.