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2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 review

Developed in collaboration with the Aprilia Racing Division, 2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 has been created by fusing the best characteristics of a sports bike with the best that a racing super-motard has to offer. The result is the concentrated essence of performance and technology, a genuinely special, extreme and elite bike that can make any rider feel like a pro.

Light, agile and powerful, Dorsoduro 750 is powered by a latest generation engine and boasts the most advanced technology in its class. Through the use of state of art electronic engine management, Aprilia’s compact 90° V-twin delivers blistering performance unmatched by any of its rivals, with an incredible specific power output of 122.6 hp/litre and a maximum torque of 82 Nm at just 4500 rpm.

True to Aprilia tradition, the chassis architecture is unparalleled in its class. After the acclaimed debut of the mixed trellis/aluminium frame on the ultra-specialised SXV, the application of the layout in the Dorsoduro establishes it a hallmark feature of Aprilia motards, offering levels of directional agility, reactivity and steering precision far beyond the reach of any rival.

The essentially designed Aprilia Dorsoduro boasts only the best in terms of componentry, technical specifications and finish. Four-piston radial callipers, wave discs, a hydraulic wet clutch, adjustable suspension front and rear, “Tri-Map” ride by wire and the Matrix instrument panel with on board computer all contribute to making the Dorsoduro a truly unique product.

The unique characteristics of the 2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 in detail:

- 90° V2 engine, four valves, double overhead camshaft, liquid cooling;
- second generation “Tri-Map” Ride by Wire technology;
- electronic fuel injection with state of the art injectors;
- Mixed gear/chain timing system;
- ultralight modular trellis/aluminium frame with superlative torsional stiffness;
- aluminium swingarm with lateral shock absorber;
- fully adjustable 43mm upside down fork;
- radial front brake callipers working in conjunction with 320 mm Wave discs;
- 25 kW version for newly qualified riders;
- latest generation 2-channel Continental ABS;

DESIGN: STYLE AT THE SERVICE OF FUN

On the Aprilia Dorsoduro 750, the minimal and aggressively styled top structure frames the visually spectacular mechanicals, which become an integral part of the design. The Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 has been designed around the rider to create a radical, outrageously agile and sporty bike, in which every individual element is geared precisely for maximum riding pleasure. All outer bodywork has been pared down to the absolute bare minimum; just like on a racing bike, anything that is not essential for performance has been stripped away, while the front race number panel has been retained to emphasise the bike’s close ties with the racing world.

The narrow mid section of the bike – the area that interacts most with the movements of the rider’s body when riding hard – emphasises the extreme compactness of the bike. Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 is incredibly slender and agile, allowing the rider to feel immediately at one with the machine. After a few short metres, you already feel as if the bike is an extension of your body. This result has been achieved by Aprilia’s engineers by designing a long, flat saddle – a configuration borrowed straight from racing – that allows the rider to assume the most effective riding position at all times and allows ample freedom of movement for tackling tight turns.

The compact, curvy tail fairing also envelops the dual exhaust: a solution that not only creates a really aggressive design feel, but also excellent symmetry in the proportions and weight distribution. The hand guards, derived from the Supermoto SXV, display a sleek style and effectively protect the levers against any accidental contact.

2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 – International Specifications/Technical Details

Engine type

Aprilia V90 four-stroke longitudinal 90° V-twin engine, with liquid cooling, double overhead camshafts driven by mixed gear/chain timing system, four valves per cylinder and Ride by Wire throttle control.
Fuel Unleaded petrol
Bore and stroke 92 x 56.4 mm
Total engine capacity 749.9 cc
Compression ratio 11: 1
Maximum power at crankshaft 67.3 kW (92 hp) at 8,750 rpm
Maximum torque at crankshaft 8.4 kgm (82 Nm) at 4,500 rpm
Fuel system Integrated engine management system. Injection with Ride by Wire throttle valve opening management and 3 maps (Sport, Touring, Rain)
Ignition Digital electronic ignition integrated with injection system
Start up Electric
Exhaust system 2 into 1 exhaust system in 100% stainless steel with three-way catalytic converter and lambda probe
Alternator 450 W at 6,000 rpm
Lubrication Wet sump
Gearbox 6 speeds, drive ratio:
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 Multiplate wet clutch, hydraulically operated
Primary drive Straight cut gears, drive ratio: 38/71 (1.87)
Secondary drive Chain. Drive ratio: 16/46

Chassis

Modular tubular steel frame fastened to aluminium side plates by high strength bolts. Removable rear subframe
Front suspension Upside-down fork with 43 mm stanchions, with adjustable hydraulic rebound damping and spring preload. Wheel travel 160 mm.
Rear suspension Aluminium alloy swingarm
Hydraulic shock absorber with adjustable rebound and preload. Wheel travel 160 mm.

Brakes

Front: Dual 320 mm diam. stainless steel floating wave discs. Four piston radial callipers.
Metal braided brake pipe.
Rear: 240 mm stainless steel wave disc. Single piston calliper. Metal braided brake pipe.
Two-channel Continental ABS system (specific version)
Wheel rims Aluminium alloy
Front: 3.50 X 17″ Rear: 6.00 x 17″
Tyres Radial tubeless tyres;
front: 120/70 ZR 17
rear: 180/55 ZR 17

Dimensions

Max. length 2,216 mm
Max. width 905 mm (at handlebar)
Max. height 1,185 mm (at instrument panel)
Saddle height 870 mm
Wheelbase 1,505 mm
Trail 108 mm
Steering angle 26°
Tank 12 lt (range > 200 km)