New 450cc Retro Bike Based On The Aprilia RS 457 Spied: Guess What It Really Is!

Quick Highlight: 

• Images of a  retro motorcycle have surfaced online

• The engine case is similar to that of the Aprilia RS 457

• It’s expected to be unveiled at this year’s EICMA show in November 2025

Recently, spy shots of a test mule surfaced online, and on closer look, we realised it was the exact same bike, and even the exact same rider that surfaced way back in December 2023! However, back then it was said to be an early test mule of the Aprilia Tuono 457, which made sense as the design of the engine casing is the same as the Aprilia RRS 457. However, now it’s rumoured to be a Moto Guzzi. What exactly is happening? 

Well, it makes sense for the spied bike to be a Moto Guzzi considering they’re well-known to offer retro styled bikes. However, the brand is also popular for its trademark longitudinal V-twin engines, so it’s at odds with the whole concept of having parallel-twin engine considering the fact that the brand currently has a longitudinal V-twin on all its bikes: Stelvio, V100, V85, and V7.

Here’s where it gets more interesting: Moto Guzzi is owned by the same parent company that has Aprilia under its umbrella - Piaggio. Consequently, it makes sense for the brand to use Aprilia’s already developed engine (with the necessary tweaks to suit the retro character) - to enter developed markets where smaller capacity bikes are booming. Afterall, if Moto Guzzi were to grow, it would not be possible by solely selling its V-twin bikes, especially in an economy where buyers are looking for something that’s fun to ride without breaking the bank. 

So yes, it makes sense for a 450cc Moto Guzzi bike to be under development as that’ll help the company have something tasteful in its lineup to rival the Husqvarna Vitpilen and Svartpilen 401. In fact, it’ll be one of the very few neo-retro bikes available in the 450-500cc segment. While the Huskies have a Swedish flair, the Moto Guzzi might be a gorgeous Italian alternative when it launches. Speaking of which, we can expect it to be unveiled (and possibly launched) at the 2025 EICMA by the end of the year.

A neo-retro Italian roadster sounds super appealing for the Indian market, doesn’t it? Well, realistically speaking, Moto Guzzi is likely to keep this motorcycle exclusive for markets abroad as the brand itself doesn’t have as much popularity in India. It earlier offered the V85 TT adventure bike, but it didn’t make as much of an impact as the Triumph Tiger 900 range did. Soon, the brand faded into irrelevance. Piaggio might just stay in the sporty end of the 450-500cc segment with its twins from Aprilia.

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