In the Aprilia Company the arrival point is well defined: to create a supermotard with no compromises, in every detail.
And so it has been.
In the planning of the Dorsoduro the Noale technicians have exploited all the experience accumulated in the World Supermoto, designing a benchmark chassis and a riding experience, and mapping out the twin-cylinder 750cc that makes full use of the “Ride by wire” technology.
Equipped with a torque that favours lower and medium ranges, the Aprilia engine gives out 92 hp at 8,750 revs and a maximum torque of 82 Nm at 4,500 revs.
The clean lines of the front and the lovely tail give voice to the racing spirit of this bike.
In the seat you feel at home, with the tank positioned such that the legs can hold on without necessitating fatigue.
As you gain confidence you find yourself leaning in more to the bends knowing the bike will adjust its trajectory.
We were well impressed by the quality of the engine, gutsy at lower revs, and of the three driving modes: Sport, Touring and Rain.
The first mode has all the power available and is truly exciting to ride, the second is more easy going and great for city use and the third is designed for slippery surfaces.
In short, the Dorsoduro seems destined for inevitable success.
After the first part of the course with the Sport mode, we moved on to the Touring where the power of the motor is the same but the throttle opens more quickly even with the slightest rotation of the accelerator.
The difference can be noted – in the Sport mode gas opens at 40% acceleration and with Touring it opens at around 60%.
Even in the passing stages the engine reacts more rapidly.
For on the road riding and especially in the lower gears the Touring mode is more gratifying, while we preferred the Sport for the higher gears or for tracki use.
For more “adrenalin” riding and to better manage one-wheeling, the ideal choice is again the Touring as it manages to better maintain stability and is easier to hold the front wheel off the ground at a constant height.
In general the new “ride by wire” convinced us, even bewitched us.
The Dorsoduro benefits from the latest evolution in riding modes and this adventurous and innovative project seems to have reached its highest stage and the benefits can be felt.
This new system is the same as the Shiver’s 2008 version and has been sensibly improved since the previous one.
The thing that most impressed us is the natural response to accelerator manipulation, no late response in the system and that sensation of immediate connection between right wrist and rear wheel.
Fantastic even is the feeling and response demonstrated during partial acceleration or when closing of the gas, with which the Aprilia technicians have always spoiled us from the technical point of view.
But this time they have really surpassed all expectations because on this aspect, especially as many were ready to point the finger about the acceleration.
The other point of eccellence with this bike is its riding style, equipped with a longer wheelbase and great suspension with 160mm for each wheel.
The bike can be maintained quite flat giving the sensation of riding on a table, as the suspension works in syncronisation keeping the bike at the perfect angle.
The balance of this bike pushes you to seek out its limits, while staying up both on the track and road, leaving the rider a great margin in the opportunity of managing it in more delicate situations.
With the Dorsoduro you can find yourself after a few metres entering a fast corner, helped by the heightened manvroeuvability, added to by the reduced weight.
The great cornering and the wheelbase, the suspension and the whole package gives us a sense of the solidity of this bike.
The ability of the bike to corner at high speeds is helped by its suspension range which absorbs any variations in trajectory.
So the trajectory is not widened and the steering isn’t closed like what happens to many other naked bikes in similar situations.
The chassis and the position of the compact motor contributes to the Dorsoduro’s stability.
All the riding aspects have been closely examined including the wheel base, steering and the fork’s pivot.
Everything has been tested and evaluated by Aprilia’s technicians.
The weight distribution between front and rear is 50/50 and with the long seat you can shift your weight front or back as you please.
The dynamics are at the top of their class and are comparable to the new KTM 990 Supermoto.
But the Dorsoduro is much easier to manage when riding at high speeds given its lighter weight and manvroeuvrability.
The Ducati Hypermotard for example, has a heavy weight and trajectory, while being less balanced when leaning into corners.
The brake system has a great deceleration power both at higher speeds and when there is less grip than expected.
The chassis, balance and suspension are shown to be particularly strategic even when braking.
The first effort from Aprilia that cements its adventure into a Supermotard road with its twin cylinder should rejuvenate the Noale company and show off its refined riding style.
We also like the quality price ratio of this bike and it’s so fun to ride while also including some great technology.
They’ve really hit the nail on the head with the 750 cylinder compared to the competition at about 1000cc seeing as it’s a bike with no real aerodynamic protection and given the focus on driving pleasure balance is more important than elevated speed.
Only a couple of negative points can be said about the comfort of the bike: having no aerodynamic protection means it can be slightly annoying above 150km/hr and the seat can get a little hard for longer runs.
Below you’ll find all the technical specs and indications to the website.
Technical Chart:EngineAprilia V90 four stroke longitudinal 90° V twin.
Liquid cooling.
Double overhead camshaft with mixed gear/chain drive; four valves per cylinder.
FuelUnleaded petrol.
Bore x stroke: 92 x 56.
4 mm.
Total displacement: 749.
9 cc.
Compression ratio: 11 : 1.
Maximum power at the crank: 67.
3 kW (92 HP) at 8750 rpm.
Maximum torque at the crank: 8.
4 kgm (82 Nm) at 4500 rpm.
Fuel system: Integrated engine management system.
Electronic fuel injection with ride-by-wire electronic throttle control.
Ignition: Digital electronic, integrated in the fuel injection system.
Starting: ElectricExhaust: Two in one system in 100% stainless steel with three-way catalytic converter and Lambda probe.
Alternator: 450 W at 6000 rpm.
Lubrication: Wet sump.
Gearbox: Six speed.
Transmission ratios:1st 14/36 (2.
57)2nd 17/32 (1.
88)3rd 20/30 (1.
5)4th 22/28 (1.
27)5th 23/26 (1.
13)6th 24/25 (1.
04)Clutch: Hydraulically operated multi-plate wet clutch.
Primary drive: Spur gears.
Transmission ratio 38/71 (1.
87).
Final drive: Chain.
Transmission ratio 16/46.
Frame: Modular steel trellis secured to aluminium side plates by high strength bolts.
Detachable rear frame.
Front suspension: 43 mm upside-down fork.
160 mm wheel travel.
Rear suspension: Aluminium alloy swingarm.
Hydraulic shock absorber adjustable in spring preload and rebound damping.
Wheel travel: 160 mm.
Brakes:Front: Double stainless steel floating disc (Ø 320 mm).
Four-piston radial calipers.
Metal braided brake line.
Rear: Stainless steel disc (? 240 mm) with single piston caliper.
Metal braided brake line.
Wheels: Aluminium alloy.
Front: 3.
50 x 17″.
Rear: 6.
00 x 17″.
Tyres: Radial tubeless.
Front: 120/70 ZR 17.
Rear: 180/55 ZR 17.
Dimensions:Overall length: 2216 mmOverall width: 905 mm (at handlebars)Overall height: 1185 mm (at instruments)Seat height: 870 mmWheelbase: 1505 mmTrail: 108 mmRake angle: 26°Weight: 186 kgTank capacity: 12 litres (autonomy > 200 km)Price: About 8.
790,00 eurosFor more information go to the Aprilia site.