At the time of the Aprilia Tuono 457’s original launch, this comparison looked like a slam dunk in favour of the KTM 390 Duke (now the KTM 390 Duke R). It was less expensive, offered more features and was markedly more comfortable to ride. However, Aprilia has now updated the Tuono 457, and there’s a new, confusing “Special Edition” moniker. With the KTM being more expensive now, let’s see how these two European – but manufactured here in Maharashtra – sport-nakeds stack up on paper.

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition vs KTM 390 Duke R: Engine and output

Tuono was and remains more powerful than Duke

Aprilia didn’t make any changes to the powertrain side of things for the Special edition, so the Tuono retains its parallel twin-cylinder 457cc engine that makes 47.6hp of power and 43.5Nm of torque. Contrast this against the Duke R’s single-cylinder 399cc engine making 45.3hp of power and 39Nm of torque, and the Tuono’s gain in power might look marginal on paper, its engine is markedly smoother across the rev range whereas the KTM’s engine gets smoother after 6,000rpm.

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition vs KTM 390 Duke R: Dimensions and weight

Aprilia India’s website has not been updated at the time of publishing to reflect the complete details of the Tuono 457 Special Edition so these numbers are for the ‘regular’ Tuono. As such, some changes in kerb weight and seat height are likely. Neither Aprilia nor KTM shares wheelbase numbers in India, and Aprilia also doesn’t list the ground clearance for the Tuono. The KTM does get the larger fuel tank of the two which could mean marginally longer tank-to-tank distance for the 390 Duke R.

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition vs KTM 390 Duke R: Tyres, brakes, and suspension

Tuono’s likely to have improved its front and rear suspensions

When the Tuono 457 was launched, the suspension was said to be too firm for Indian conditions. With the Special Edition, Aprilia tells us that both the front and rear suspensions have been reworked, with softer compression and rebound damping with spring preload to the front USD forks, and softer compression damping with spring preload to the rear mono shock. Front and rear preload is adjustable for further fine tuning. The KTM retains its impressive suspension and it offers even more adjustability (compression and rebound at the front, preload and rebound at the rear) with more travel on both ends. 

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition vs KTM 390 Duke R: Features

KTM’s stronghold. Remains that way!

This was a marked advantage for the KTM, especially when it was almost a lakh cheaper than the Aprilia. Even with the prices increased now, the Duke R still offers more features than the Tuono 457 Special Edition; the only model trumping the 390 Duke R on value being the 390 Duke with the 350cc engine. In addition to matching the Tuono with dual-channel ABS, full LED lighting, riding modes, TFT cluster, and traction control the KTM offers bi-directional quickshifter as standard (available as an accessory for the Tuono), cornering ABS, and cruise control. Another small difference is that the KTM’s brake and clutch levers are adjustable whereas Aprilia has made only the brake lever adjustable with the Tuono 457 Special Edition. So, if rider aids had convinced you to side with KTM, Aprilia’s Special Edition is unfortunately unlikely to change your mind.

Overall though, Aprilia has aimed to address almost all the initial complaints with this Special Edition model. Apart from the changes discussed above, the Tuono 457 Special Edition also gets a taller handlebar, a revised seat with a different profile, and a windscreen as standard.

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition vs KTM 390 Duke R: Price

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition costs Rs 55,000 more than the KTM 390 Duke R

With all of these updates, Aprilia has launched the Tuono 457 Special Edition at Rs 4 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra), an increase of Rs 2,000 over the ‘regular’ Tuono it replaces in India. The KTM 390 Duke R on the other hand costs Rs 3.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra), thanks to the new GST slabs. Because of GST, we also have a 390 Duke with a 350cc engine at Rs 2.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra). The Duke (without the R) shares all the electronic features with the Duke R, except for the slight reduction in power and torque figures. As things stand, the Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition costs Rs 55,000 more than the KTM 390 Duke R; and Rs 1.16 lakh more than the KTM 390 Duke.