Aprilia Tuono 457 vs KTM 390 Duke vs Yamaha MT03: Specifications Compared

Published February 18, 2025
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5 min read

Here’s how the new Italian streetfighter fares against its main rivals

The recently launched Aprilia Tuono 457 has become the most affordable motorcycle from the Italian bike maker. It competes with the KTM 390 Duke and the Yamaha MT-03. But does the bike manage to stand apart from its competition? We will be answering this question through a detailed specification comparison between all 3.

Engine

Specifications	Aprilia Tuono 457	KTM 390 Duke	Yamaha MT-03
Engine	457cc, liquid-cooled, 270-degree, parallel twin engine	398.63cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine	321cc, liquid-cooled, 180-degree parallel twin engine
Power	47.6PS at 9,400rpm	46PS at 8500rpm	42PS at 10,750rpm
Torque	43.5Nm at 6700rpm	39Nm at 6500rpm	29.5Nm at 9,000rpm
Gearbox	6-speed with a slip-and-assist clutch	6-speed with a slip-and-assist clutch	6-speed

When comparing the specifications, it is clear that the Aprilia Tuono 457 produces more power and torque when compared to the KTM 390 Duke and the Yamaha MT-03. That said, all the 3 bikes have very different engine types and this will offer very different riding experiences.

The Tuono 457 with the 270 degree crank will make for a louder and more aggressive sounding exhaust. The engine also makes most of its torque at the mid range, so the power and performance is in line with what you would want from a streetfighter.

The KTM 390 Duke on the other hand with its single-cylinder engine offers similar levels of performance but won’t feel as refined as the Tuono 457’s parallel twin. Now, the MT-03 might feel slightly underpowered for a twin-cylinder, and this is because of the lower engine capacity when compared to the Duke and Tuono.

The 180 degree crank in the MT03 produces most of the power and torque at the higher end of the rev range. This makes the motor a lot more rev happy than the Tuono and the Duke. The exhaust note on this bike will not be as loud as the Tuono’s. Lastly, it has to be noted that the MT-03 misses out on a slip-and-assist clutch. This will offer a very old school riding experience overall.

Underpinnings

Specifications	Aprilia Tuono 457	KTM 390 Duke	Yamaha MT-03
Frame	Twin spar aluminum frame	Split trellis frame	Diamond frame
Front suspension	41mm inverted fork	43mm WP Apex inverted fork	37mm inverted fork
Rear suspension	Monoshock	WP Apex Monoshock	Monoshock
Front brake	320mm	320mm	298mm
Rear brake	220mm	220mm	220mm
Front tyre	110-section	110-section	110-section
Rear tyre	150-section	150-section	140-section

When looking at the underpinnings, the KTM 390 Duke has the edge over the Tuono 457 and the Yamaha MT03. What sets the bike apart is the adjustable suspension and the ease at which the rider will be able to do it.

Adjusting the compression and rebound on it, is as easy as turning a switch at the fork end. This level of versatility is something which the Aprilia Tuono 457 and the Yamaha MT-03 are not able to offer. This really sets the KTM 390 Duke apart quite a bit.

Dimensions

Specifications	Aprilia Tuono 457	KTM 390 Duke	Yamaha MT-03
Fuel tank capacity	12.7-litres	15-litres	14-litres
Seat height	800mm	800mm	780mm
Kerb weight	175kg	168.3kg	167kg

The biggest advantage the KTM 390 Duke has is the larger fuel tank, which will give the bike a lot more range on a full tank. When it comes to seat height, the Aprilia Tuono 457 and the KTM 390 Duke are similar, but the Yamaha MT-03 with the lower seat height will be the most accessible out of the 3 for shorter riders.

Now, the kerb weight is something which will also play a big role in performance. The 390 Duke with the low kerb weight of 168.3kg coupled with the power and torque output has an insane power to weight ratio.

Features

	Aprilia Tuono 457	KTM 390 Duke	Yamaha MT-03
Traction Control	Yes	Yes	No
Riding Modes	Yes	Yes	No
Launch Control	No	Yes	No
Smartphone Connectivity	Yes	Yes	No
Quickshifter	Optional accessory	Yes	No

Overall, in terms of features the KTM 390 Duke is the clear winner among the 3. It offers a lot more features and also a quick shifter as standard. Something which the more expensive Aprilia Tuono 457 only gets as an optional accessory. The Tuono has the essential bits covered and the lack of a launch control might not be a big deal to most riders.

The Yamaha MT-03 is very basic and doesn’t have the kind of features you would expect on a big of this capacity and price. The bike is so basic that it even misses out on a slip-and-assist clutch.

Price & Verdict

Aprilia Tuono 457	KTM 390 Duke	Yamaha MT03
Rs 3,95,000	Rs 2,95,000	Rs 3,49,900

(all prices ex-showroom)

When looking at the prices, the clear winner is the KTM 390 Duke. The bike manages to offer comparable performance to the Aprilia Tuono 457, better underpinnings and more features. So if you are someone who is looking for a performance bike on a budget then the KTM 390 Duke is the choice worth considering.

The Tuono 457 has one advantage which is the slightly better performance and that signature Italian flair which many riders will love. If you are someone who is looking to get into Italian bikes, then the Tuono 457 will be worth the extra Rs 1,00,000 over the Duke 390.

The Yamaha MT-03 is a hard sell because it is an older motorcycle and lacks modern features. Although recently, Yamaha have cut down the price to make it more accessible to enthusiasts. For a die-hard Yamaha fan, someone who just likes Japanese bikes or an old-school riding experience, the Yamaha MT-03 is surely worth considering.