All Tests – Dorsoduro 1200 2012 model test: even more explosive! – A lightened Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 in 2012

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Dorsoduro 1200 2012 model test: even more explosive !

All Tests - Dorsoduro 1200 2012 model test: even more explosive! - A lightened Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 in 2012

It was at the foot of the Etna volcano, in Sicily, that Aprilia brought together the European press to (re) discover one of its most sulphurous models: the Dorsoduro 1200. What are the few modifications made in 2012 to this? maxi supermoto ? Test.

A lightened Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 in 2012

While most of the new 2012 motorcycles have already been presented (read our), the Piaggio group has started its series of presentation of new products in style: in Sicily, on the shores of the Mediterranean, a stone’s throw from the most active volcano in Europe !

An ideal playground according to the Noale brand to make a first contact with the new version of its Dorsoduro 1200: a model launched at the end of 2010 which comes down, according to the Italians, to a simple equation: "power + agility + precision = Fun"…

Availability, colors and prices

  • Availability: April 2012

  • Colors: Red "Fluo" or White "Glam"

  • Price: € 9,999 (ATC-ABS: + € 1,000)

The test of the first version (read) had however left us perplexed. Powerful, the Dorsoduro was assuredly so thanks to its 1197 cc V2 open at 90 °, liquid cooled, 16 valves, double overhead camshaft, double ignition and triple engine mapping: 130 horsepower and 115 Nm, values ​​that ‘we find on the technical sheet in 2012.

The presence of the other two ingredients of the "magic formula" (agility and precision) were on the other hand less obvious: the Dorsoduro 2010 was quite physical and very delicate to take, because of its important weight (it was however displayed at 195 kg dry with ATC-ABS), brutal injection and front brake and poor suspension tuning.

In France, the Dorsoduro 1200 did not ultimately meet the expected success: only 85 registrations were recorded on our territory in 2011 (against 127 Dorsoduro 750), "while we have sold over 300 in Italy and almost 400 in Germany", reveals Umberto Passo, product manager at Aprilia.

Worldwide and since the release of the first 750 model in May 2008, "13,000 Dorsoduro were sold", he also specified during the press conference."Beyond these good figures, we are delighted with the popular success of the motorcycle because forums and clubs are dedicated to it.".

The transalpine managers readily admit monitoring, recording and reusing some of their customers’ good ideas to develop their range. In 2012 it is therefore the turn of the Dorsoduro, which evolves on three different axes: "the chassis, electronics and aesthetics".

Let’s move on to the slight remodeling of the front fender and the plate holder, which go relatively unnoticed but still allow the beautiful beast to lose 700 g. Let us also quickly evoke the new graphics, certainly very becoming, but secondary in terms of 2012 developments..

What Site has retained more is the weight reduction of the rims of 2.3 kg (yes, "two point three kilograms")! Ciao the 12-spoke rims of the 2010 model, and buongiorno those – still in aluminum alloy – six-spoke or rather "three split sticks".

Please note, these are not strictly speaking new rims since they are already fitted to "the Tuono V4", specifies Umberto. If the difference on the balance is negligible (approximately 1% of mass less), it promises to be sensitive in dynamics.

Weight reduction and price drop

According to the learned calculations of Aprilia engineers, the inertia of the front wheel would drop by -15.4% and that of the rear wheel by -22.2%! "This reduction in weight therefore results in more efficient acceleration, sharper changes of angles and less effort on the handlebars.".

The Dorsoduro 2012 therefore weighs 3 kg less than the old model, or 192 kg 211 kg dry for the model equipped with ATC-ABS (207 kg without). "These are the official figures transmitted by the Italians", warns us the French press manager, former journalist therefore perfectly aware of the Latin" rigor "in terms of technical sheet…

The drop in weight – which must first and foremost be checked while driving – is accompanied by a dizzying drop in its price: the standard version goes from € 11,690 to € 9,999, while the ATC-ABS pack requires no more than ‘an extension of 1000 € (against 1200 previously). Curiously, the Italians do not dwell on this significant price drop which, let us remember, affects the majority of their range this year (read).

They prefer to point out that the suspension settings have been reviewed "in order to take into account the lightening of the rims and to lower the center of gravity of the motorcycle", says Signore Salvadore, Aprilia test coordinator.

Asked by a colleague about the concrete modifications made to the Sachs fork and / or shock absorber, the manager explains that Aprilia has "modified preload and compression, 1 or 2 clicks"… Hopefully the test drive will prove more convincing !

Finally, the last line of work on this "new" Dorsoduro: electronics! "Ride by Wire and engine maps have been improved", are satisfied to declare the Italians. So, is the 2012 version of the Aprilia Dorsoduro better than the old one? !

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