Aprilia SMV 750 DORSODURO 2016 — Specifications

When Aprilia decided to adapt the 90° L-twin architecture from the Shiver into a supermoto version, nobody really knew if the idea would hold up. The answer came in the form of the Aprilia SMV 750 Dorsoduro, a machine that managed to establish itself in a segment where the competition shows no mercy.

The positioning is clever. Between the smaller 660cc class that lacks muscle and the monsters like the Ducati Hypermotard or the old KTM 950 SM that weigh heavy on both the scales and the wallet, there was an opening. Aprilia seized it with a 749.9cc twin producing 92 horsepower at 8,750 rpm and 82.4 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. These figures speak for themselves for a twin of this size. The fuel mapping was reworked compared to the Shiver to beef up the mid-range and sharpen throttle response, all managed by electronic ride-by-wire. The result on paper is serious, and the Hypermotard has reason to check its mirrors.

What strikes you immediately is the appearance. Aprilia's design department was clearly given free rein, and the work shows. Gold Y-spoke wheels, petal brake discs paired with radially mounted four-piston Brembo calipers up front, 43mm upside-down forks, steel tubular trellis frame connected to aluminum plates shared with the SL 750 — every component seems to have been chosen as much for its image as for its performance. The red cam covers are reminiscent of certain MV Agustas, and the underseat exhausts sport vents that don't go unnoticed. This is an Italian machine that fully owns its pedigree.

The factory-fitted Pirelli SuperCorsa confirms the intent. This machine is not designed for leisurely touring. At 186 kg dry, with an 870mm seat height and a tank limited to 12 liters, range will be tight and the ergonomics selective. The target audience knows what it wants: thrills, handling, commitment. The absence of passenger footpegs sums up the philosophy better than any marketing pitch. Listed at €8,999 at launch, the question many still ask today — what is the price of a 2009 Aprilia SMV 750 Dorsoduro in France on the used market — generally finds an answer between €5,000 and €7,000 depending on condition, making it a sensible purchase for a rider looking for a characterful supermoto without mortgaging their bank account.