Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 Factory 2011 — Specifications

When Aprilia decides to put a machine through the Factory treatment, the result is rarely insignificant. The label is not applied lightly in the Noale factory: it denotes a refined machine, muscular in the details, positioned one step above the series. With the Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 Factory, the Italian supermotard receives this favored treatment, and the result is convincing enough to warrant serious attention.

The first thing that strikes you is the paint scheme. The dominant black barely hides the bright red frame that shines through in places, like a temperament that cannot really be contained. The bodywork receives a generous dose of carbon fiber: front fender, side scoops, tank fairing. These are not mere decorative ornaments; it's a real saving on the scale. Dry, the machine displays 185 kg, a dozen kilos less than many competitors in the category. Facing a KTM 690 SMC or a Husqvarna Nuda 900, the entry ticket is higher, but Aprilia plays in a different league in terms of finish and overall performance.

The 749 cc V-twin engine develops 92 horsepower at 8,750 rpm, with a torque of 82 Nm available from 4,500 rpm. These figures, in a 185 kg chassis, provide a power-to-weight ratio that transforms every winding section into a playground. Ride-by-Wire injection controlled by a three-map engine management system profoundly changes the game compared to the standard version: you choose its character, from urban smoothness to the most frank liveliness, according to your mood. It is precisely this kind of technology that justifies the difference in price, set around 9,849 euros.

Brembo petal discs and radial four-piston calipers are impeccable, with the characteristic bite of the Bergamo brand. The 43 mm inverted fork offers 160 mm of travel, and the separate reservoir mono-shock benefits from full adjustment for preload, compression and rebound. This is the real benefit of the Factory version compared to the base: not Öhlins dampers as some might have hoped given the badge, but fully adjustable in-house components. The disappointment is real for purists who associate Factory with Swedish equipment under the triangles. You can live with that, especially since the result in driving is noticeably superior to the version without these adjustments.

The 870 mm seat height and available power clearly orient this supermotard towards an experienced rider, comfortable with lively machines and not inclined to patience. It is not the tool for the beginner looking to progress, but for the rider who knows what he wants and intends to exploit every centimeter of asphalt. The 12-liter tank sets the autonomy to a reasonable portion, consistent with a predominantly sporty use. For those who want ABS, expect a supplement of around 600 euros. Those looking for an Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 Factory used will find on the market well-worn examples, this generation having convinced a loyal and careful clientele. The 2011-2012 production of the Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 Factory 2012 constitutes a successful year, where suspension adjustments responded to legitimate criticisms of the base version. A supermotard with character, without compromise.