Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 2017 — Specifications

When Aprilia decided to adapt its 750 twin into a supermotard version, the result took the name Dorsoduro, and the motorcycle established itself as one of the most serious Italian responses to a segment in full swing. We're talking about an era when large wheels and urban jockey positions were all the rage, and the Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 managed to stand out with a rare consistency in its category.

The positioning is surgical. Too sensible for those who want to play tough with a 660, too light for those who can handle the kilos of a Hypermotard or an old KTM 950 SM, the Dorsoduro settles exactly between the two. With 186 kg dry weight and 212 kg fully fueled, it remains manageable without appearing anemic. The four-valve per cylinder V2, 749 cc, 92 mm bore for 56 mm stroke, produces 92 horsepower at 8,750 rpm and 82 Nm from 4,500 rpm. The mapping has been reworked compared to the Shiver to thicken the mid-range curves, making the machine more combative on corner exits. Ride-by-wire manages the gas distribution with a precision that older generation mechanical systems could not offer. At €8,999 in standard version, the Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 price remains competitive against its direct rivals.

What truly distinguishes this machine from a well-meaning Japanese competitor is the care given to each visible component. The steel trellis frame anchored to aluminum plates is not only solid, it is beautiful. The aluminum swingarm has proportions that belong only to the Italians. The inverted Sachs forks, adjustable for preload and rebound, and the Sachs mono-shock at the rear give the whole a serious base for those who would like to push the machine. The double stainless steel floating discs with four-piston calipers and ABS do the job without drama. 120/70-17 tires at the front and 180/55-17 at the rear complete a technical picture that doesn't skimp. The 870 mm seat height will orient this machine more towards medium to tall builds, and the 12-liter tank imposes rigorous management on long distances, a point to note if you are considering an Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 used for regular journeys.

The Factory version pushes the cursor a notch further in terms of equipment and finishes, for those who want the ultimate without going through the Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 accessory box. For A2 licenses, the power can be regulated, even if the motorcycle was not designed to run below its capabilities. Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 reliability has often been questioned on forums, mainly around a few electronic quirks on the early 2008 and 2009 series. Post-2011 models benefited from welcome revisions. The 2014, 2015 and 2016 models now represent the best balance between mechanical maturity and resale price.

It's not a motorcycle for everyone. The passenger rider is a concept that the designer clearly judged secondary, the rear footpegs shining by their discretion. It is assumed. The Dorsoduro 750 targets the solitary rider, the one who prioritizes engagement over comfort, lean angle over practicality. With a top speed announced at 200 km/h, it lacks no resources, but it is between 60 and 130 km/h, in the tight sequences, that it reveals its true nature. An adult supermotard, built with the passion of motorcycles that we like to look at as much as ride.