Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 2008 — Specifications

When Aprilia decided to seriously tackle the supermotard segment with a true displacement, no one expected something so radical. The Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 arrived in 2008 like a punch to the gut of a market that was starting to settle into its habits. Neither the somewhat bland kindness of a Pegaso Strada, nor the brutality reserved for SXV 550 initiates: here, we aim for the center of the board, where it hurts the competitors.

The engine is the centerpiece. This 749.9 cc twin cylinder shared with the Shiver develops 92 horsepower at 8750 rpm, and Aprilia reworked the mapping to muscle up mid-range acceleration. The torque of 82 Nm peaks at 4500 rpm, which places the Dorsoduro in a very offensive position against the Ducati Hypermotard or the KTM 950 SM. The large KTM is heavier, the Ducati more expensive and less accessible. Here, the power-to-weight ratio gives these two rivals a real scare: 186 kg dry weight for 92 hp, managed by a ride-by-wire system that avoids catastrophes when you get a little too confident coming out of a corner. The Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 specification sheet speaks for itself, but it's in use that the figures take on a new dimension.

The issue of reliability, often raised in forums under the label Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 problem, deserves an honest return. The early series experienced some thermal regulation issues and a 6-speed gearbox a little capricious at extreme temperatures. Nothing prohibitive if maintenance is followed, and the subsequent 2010 and later models have largely corrected the situation. A well-maintained Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 used remains a smart purchase, provided revisions are checked. The Factory version offered adjustable Öhlins suspensions and even more sporty bodywork for a noticeably higher budget than the basic model's 8849 euros.

The seat height of 870 mm clearly excludes modest builds. This is not a machine for beginners, and Aprilia doesn't hide it. The A2 license and the Dorsoduro 750 form a delicate combination: the 92 horsepower exceed the legal limit, and even restricted, the machine retains a character that demands experience. The target audience is the urban rider with an appetite for weekends on small roads, the one who gets bored on a classic roadster and refuses the bourgeois comfort of a trail bike. The 12-liter tank reminds us that this is not a GT: the range remains modest, the Dorsoduro consumes and doesn't apologize for it.

What catches the eye before even turning the key is the stylistic coherence of the whole. The gold rims, the steel trellis frame bolted to aluminum plates, the red valve covers reminiscent of competition machines, the petal discs coupled with Brembo radial calipers: each part was designed to compose a whole. Pirelli SuperCorsa tires in 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear complete the tire package. Absent passenger footrests confirm the beast's solitary vocation. The Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 owner reviews often converge on this point: you don't buy it to be reasonable, you buy it because no other machine in this price range provides the same sensations with such finish. The entry price flirts with 9000 euros, and for that price, the Italian justifies every cent.