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-wheelers—including motorcycles—remain 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, there’s also a trend into more accessible and affordable sports motorcycles which appeal to a larger range of riders.
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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 ₹4.10 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 ø310 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 ₹4,65,260.
| 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 | 17″ x 3.5″ | 170 |
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 399 | 45 | 37 | 6-speed | Telescopic fork/Monoshock | Dual 310mm disc/Single 220mm disc | 17″ x 3.5″ | 169 |
| Yamaha YZF-R3 | 321 | 41.4 | 29.6 | 6-speed | 41mm KYB telescopic fork/KYB monoshock | 298mm disc/220mm disc | 17″ x 3.5″ | 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 180–200 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 457’s 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 ₹4.65 lakh ex-showroom in India, while the Kawasaki Ninja 400 costs ₹5.24 lakh. The Aprilia RS 457 is priced at ₹4.10 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 ₹1.15 lakh separates the Aprilia RS 457 from the Kawasaki Ninja 400, while ₹55,000 separates the Yamaha YZF-R3 from the Aprilia RS 457.
