2025 Acko Drive Awards: Hero Xtreme 125R Wins The Commuter Motorcycle Of The Year

The most fiercely-contested segment of the 2025 TOTMs had to be the performance motorcycle of the year. With 9 nominations from different manufacturers across different genres of motorcycles, the task on the hands of the jury was difficult. However, one bike managed to win the hearts and mind of all and it was the Aprilia RS 457. The first bike from the Italian brand to be manufactured in our country impressed everyone with its thrilling performance on the track. What surprised many jury members was how the RS 457 felt on the track despite the thrilling performance it packed. 

The highlights of the RS 457 are its engine and handling dynamics. The 457 cc, twin-cylinder engine with its 270 degree crank not only delivers a strong mid range but it has lots of firepower on the top too and one could almost clock 200 kmph. No wonder then, the RS 457 is the fastest bike built in India and on the long straights of BIC it had no qualms in unleashing its might.

The handling of the RS 457 is delightful as corner transitions were so smooth and it flowed like a stream of water around the technical corners of the track. Every jury member had a wide grin after a session on the RS 457 and it showcases how well the chassis has been engineered. Last but not the least is how sexy the bike looks and it does complete justice to its Italian DNA with its sleek styling. 

No surprises then that the Aprilia RS 457 won the performance motorcycle of the year at the Acko Drive Awards despite competition from the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z, Husqvarna Svartpilen 401, Husqvarna Vitpilen 250, Kawasaki Eliminator, Kawasaki Ninja 500, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, TVS Apache RR 310 and the Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2.