Motorcycle market in India is growing, with trends toward higher performance bikes.
An estimated US$35.50 billion would be traded for motorbikes in India in 2028, a growth of 3.33% between 2024 and 2028, according to Statista. With almost 13.5 million bikes delivered in 2022, two-wheelersโincluding motorcyclesโremain among the most popular vehicle class in India. Hero MotoCorp has a 32 % market share in the financial year 2023, which makes it the top two-wheeler maker in India. Present-day sports bike trends shows that high-performance bikes with modern features like ride-by-wire, traction control, as well rapid shifters have become growing more and more popular. Within the sub-500cc class, thereโs also a trend into more accessible and affordable sports motorcycles which appeal to a larger range of riders.
Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Aprilia offer popular sportbikes under 500cc.
Sporting a various balance between performance, features, and design, the Yamaha YZF-R3, Kawasaki Ninja 400, & Aprilia RS 457 are all popular rivals for the sub-500cc sportbike market in India. Having a high-tensile steel frame, a 321cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, along with other important parts, the Yamaha YZF-R3 is a reduced-scale variant of its bigger sibling. The Kawasaki Ninja 400, on the opposite one, has a 399cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, a lightweight trellis frame, and a performance and agile balance. By comparison, the Aprilia RS 457 is an intriguing alternative in this market because to its all-aluminum chassis, strong 457cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, around wide set of modern options.
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Aprilia RS 457 has a high-performance engine and lightweight chassis.
- Engine: It is powered by a 457cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin-cylinder engine with dual camshaft timing and four valves per cylinder, capable of producing 48.6 PS of power and 43.5 Nm of torque.
- Chassis: The bike features a lightweight aluminum frame, with the engine block used as a load-bearing element, contributing to its low weight and dynamic performance.
- Electronics: It is equipped with advanced electronics, including Ride by Wire, three riding modes, three-level traction control, and the option for a quickshifter for seamless gear changes.
- Instrumentation: The RS 457 comes with a 5-inch TFT color display for the instrument console, which is effective and easy to read. The handlebar controls are backlit for better visibility in low-light conditions.
- Brakes: It is equipped with dual-channel ABS and features a robust braking setup with disc brakes at the front and rear.
- Weight: The bike has a kerb weight of 175 kg, contributing to its agile and responsive handling.
- Price: The ex-showroom price of the Aprilia RS 457 in India is โน4.10 lakh.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 449cc liquid-cooled |
| Power | 54 hp |
| Torque | 35 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Top Speed | 120 mph |
| Frame | Aluminum perimeter |
| Front Suspension | Upside-down fork |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock |
| Front Brakes | Dual 320mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | Single 220mm disc |
| Wheels | 17-inch |
The Aprilia RS 457 is designed to offer a high power-to-weight ratio, advanced technology, and aggressive styling, making it a compelling option for sportbike enthusiasts.
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Kawasaki Ninja 400 provides smooth power and agile handling.
- Engine: The Ninja 400 is powered by a 399cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke parallel-twin engine that generates a maximum power of 45 PS at 10,000 rpm and a torque of 37 Nm at 8,000 rpm.
- Chassis: It features a lightweight trellis frame, similar in design to that of the Ninja H2, ensuring optimum rigidity with light weight.
- Suspension: The bike is equipped with telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear, offering responsive handling and a comfortable riding experience.
- Brakes: It comes with a large-diameter front brake disc, measuring รธ310 mm, and a rear brake disc, both offering reliable stopping power.
- Instrumentation: The Ninja 400 is equipped with a sophisticated cockpit, featuring a large analogue tachometer, a gear position indicator, and a multi-function LCD screen.
- Weight: The kerb weight of the Ninja 400 is 168 kg, contributing to its agile and nimble character.
- Price: The ex-showroom price of the Ninja 400 in India starts at Rs. 5.24 lakh.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 399cc liquid-cooled |
| Power | 49 hp |
| Torque | 28 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Top Speed | 105 mph |
| Frame | Trellis |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Bottom-link Uni-Trak |
| Front Brakes | Dual 310mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | Single 220mm disc |
| Wheels | 17-inch |
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is praised for its smooth power delivery, nimble character, and comfortable riding position, making it a great option for both beginners and experienced riders.
Yamaha YZF-R3 is agile with a twin engine and diamond frame.
- Engine: It is powered by a 321cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin DOHC engine that generates a maximum power of 41.4 PS at 10,750 rpm and a torque of 29.6 Nm at 9,000 rpm.
- Frame: The YZF-R3 features a diamond frame
- Transmission: The bike features a 6-speed manual transmission.
- Suspension: The bike is equipped with upside-down forks at the front and a mono-shock at the rear.
- Brakes: It comes with dual-channel ABS and disc brakes at both ends.
- Instrumentation: The YZF-R3 is equipped with an LCD instrument cluster and LED lighting for the headlamp and tail lamp.
- Wheels: The bike has alloy wheels with dimensions of 110/70-R17 at the front and 140/70-R17 at the rear.
- Price: The ex-showroom price of the Yamaha YZF-R3 in India is โน4,65,260.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 321cc liquid-cooled |
| Power | 42 hp |
| Torque | 21 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Top Speed | 110 mph |
| Frame | Diamond |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Monocross |
| Front Brakes | Dual 298mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | Single 220mm disc |
| Wheels | 17-inch |
The YZF-R3 is known for its agile handling, sporty performance, and distinctive design, making it a popular choice among sportbike enthusiasts.
Comparison on Specs
The following table compares the new Aprilia RS 457, Kawasaki Ninja 400, and Yamaha YZF-R3 based on the information provided:
| Motorcycle | Displacement (cc) | Power (hp) | Torque (Nm) | Transmission | Suspension (Front/Rear) | Brakes (Front/Rear) | Wheels (Diameter x Width) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aprilia RS 457 | 457 | 47 | 43.5 | 6-speed | USD fork/Monoshock | 320mm disc/220mm disc | 17โณ x 3.5โณ | 170 |
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 399 | 45 | 37 | 6-speed | Telescopic fork/Monoshock | Dual 310mm disc/Single 220mm disc | 17โณ x 3.5โณ | 169 |
| Yamaha YZF-R3 | 321 | 41.4 | 29.6 | 6-speed | 41mm KYB telescopic fork/KYB monoshock | 298mm disc/220mm disc | 17โณ x 3.5โณ | 175 |
Key Features:
- Aprilia RS 457: Ride modes, traction control, LED lighting, TFT display, quickshifter
- Kawasaki Ninja 400: Semi-digital instrument cluster, analog tachometer, gear position indicator, multi-function LCD screen
- Yamaha YZF-R3: No electronic aids or ride modes, LCD instrument cluster, LED lighting, 17-inch alloy wheels
Top speeds are around 180โ200 km/h.
The maximum speeds in India are for the Yamaha YZF-R3, Kawasaki Ninja 400, and Aprilia RS 457. But according to the information that is currently accessible, the maximum speed of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is around 190 km/h, while the Yamaha YZF-R3 is approximately 180 km/h. The Aprilia RS 457โs maximum speed is 196 km/h. Note that the actual peak speeds might change based on a number of variables, including rider weight, wind resistance, and road conditions.
The Yamaha and Aprilia are cheaper than the Kawasaki.
The Yamaha YZF-R3 costs about โน4.65 lakh ex-showroom in India, while the Kawasaki Ninja 400 costs โน5.24 lakh. The Aprilia RS 457 is priced at โน4.10 lakh. Therefore, the Yamaha YZF-R3 and the Aprilia RS 457 are among the next most costly bikes, behind the Kawasaki Ninja 400. The price difference of โน1.15 lakh separates the Aprilia RS 457 from the Kawasaki Ninja 400, while โน55,000 separates the Yamaha YZF-R3 from the Aprilia RS 457.
