Menus
- the rocking stallion
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- In the city
- Motorway and expressways
- Departmental
- Part-cycle
- Braking
- Comfort / Duo
- Consumption
- Conclusion
the rocking stallion
In 2008, Aprilia released a 750 cc sport-road stallion from its stable. The model claims to be both the fun hyper-biker and the road trail. For 2011, it’s an all-new 1200cc L-twin that gets Noale’s new mount pawing.. Designed on the same basis of cycle part, the Dorsoduro 1200 is always more radical and fun while keeping the ability to ride for a long time. At least on paper.
Discovery
Loud, dynamic, the sports wader style exudes action. Large scoops respond to the lighter curve of the rear hull. This frames two magnificent exhausts inclined towards the heavens, whose openwork gills belch a gutural chant capable of charming the harshest arson gods on the sheet. If despite everything, they turn a deaf ear, optional Akrapovic elements should solve the problem.
Dressed in taut angles and lines, the Dorso adopts an original fork crown overhanging a fairly long nose and placed high above the steering wheel. The extension of the art deco flame optical unit gives a nice signature to the front face.
A true supermodel in its dimensions, the hyper-motorcyclist has a very marked hourglass frame. Composed of an aluminum trellis for the front and the rear loop to which are added two cast aluminum plates for the low engine, the chassis assembly is bolted at 5 points to the twin carrier, narrower than the 750cc! This configuration provides extreme rigidity. The fully adjustable shock absorber is placed on the right side and in charge of the cast aluminum swingarm with a perforated design forming two blades. A high 43 mm fork, also configurable in any direction, manages mass transfers over 160 mm of travel. All the suspensions are signed Sachs.
In the saddle
The Hard-Backed Beast (translation of its Italian name) does not usurp its name. The saddle is long, flat and high: 870 mm. The jockey, sorry, the pilot will have to be tall. Especially since the kickstand keeps the bike fairly straight: beware of hazardous parking. The barely curved tank feels like you’re sitting on the can. What’s more, the knees of older adults do not slip into the notch in the tank; they are positioned facing its horizontal edge, but without embarrassment and accentuates the sensation of flying over the machine. Long, tapered hand guards are attached to the large, flat hanger. The clutch is hydraulic. The mirrors do not vibrate and the field returned and wide enough.
The speedometer revolves around a large analog tachometer and an orange LCD window where you can find information on the gear engaged, injection mapping chosen (T-touring, S-sport, R-rain, via successive presses on the starter once the engine is running), clock, large tachometer and engine temperature. Also available, as an option, on this model: ATC (traction control) on 3 declining intervention levels and disconnectable just like ABS. These systems are independent of each other.
By pressing the mode button on the left stalk, a host of indications appear at the bottom of the frame: average speed, maximum, instantaneous consumption, average, duration of the trip, partial trip and odometer.
The finish of the whole is rather pleasant, except for a few tanks and tubes quite visible between the scoops.
In the city
Just like the RSV4 Factory APRC, the electronics are a model of smoothness and efficiency.
Mass transfers are measured and the machine is pleasant to place in traffic. The twin offers relative flexibility for this engine architecture even if it will be difficult for you to evolve, at walking pace, less than 2,500 revolutions in 3 ° and 50 km / h. On the last report, at 3,000 min, the odometer displays 80 km / h.
Motorway and expressways
Beyond 5500 laps, (130 km / h in 6 °), the Dorso sends very heavy and easily exceeds 220 km / h, the triple gallop seeming to be around 250. At this rate, it is advisable to be lying "behind" the minimalist windshield and being flexible on the handlebars because you can quickly feel a ripple. The road hyper-motorcyclist allows you to ride hard but probably not too long as the lack of protection and the wind resistance, arms outstretched, is important. Sailing enthusiasts may find their account there by making the flag. For others, it is on the secondary network that Noale’s 130 nags (100 in Rain mode) are best released, at 8,700 rpm.
Departmental
But there is a wolf, or rather an eel. Because if the engine block is working hard, the cycle part, regulated flexible and lacking in progressiveness, makes this machine a real rodeo machine. Settling down sharply on the compressions and then tacking on the angle at the slightest defect in the asphalt or when the brakes are engaged, the Duro does not spare the riders. Aprilia obviously not having finalized the dressage of its great horse, it will be up to the rider to do so, by means of the multiple suspension settings. Hoping to get much better afterwards than a leapfrog.
This is all the more unfortunate that we only dream of attacking our handlebars and enjoying the incisive frame and the dynamic 1200 cc twin with high torque: 11.7 m / kg at 7,200 revolutions / minute. It will then be the perfectible Ride by Wire which will limit the approval. Dry in Sport mode, it also gives the impression of reluctance to cut the throttle when you let go of the grip. Far from being worth the management of that of the RSV4.
Fortunately, ATC is at the level of hyper-sport performance and allows you to glide safely and have fun. Wheelie enthusiasts will love how easy it is to breathe fresh air into the front wheel. And to warm it up, nothing better than a few stops! For this last figure, return to the fork adjustment box of course.
Part-cycle
An excellent frame but a fork at odds with the shock. It’s hard to know the origin of the quarrel, but it is clear and deep. It also makes the bike heavier to swing from turn to turn. A case to be settled as soon as possible to avoid divorce.
Braking
2 Brembo 4-piston radial calipers at the front. Powerful, the feeling is however average, again due to a too soft fork. The single piston rear brake helps put the bike on a curve and complements the front well. The general action suffers from the inadequacy of the cushioning of the cycle part.
Comfort / Duo
Rubberized footrests but no handle, a flat, sloping and rather thin saddle … some have tried … but it’s up to you.
Consumption
15-liter tank and twin-cylinder consuming at a good rate nearly 9 liters per 100 … Without falling dry, you will go to your favorite tanker every 150 km maximum.
Also note a removable enduro type cap. Rather incongruous on this type of very civilized machine.
Conclusion
The positioning of this machine is clearly under the angle of fun and dynamic peri-urban driving. The excellent grip of the Pirelli Super Corsa III allows for many daring.
However, when signing the € 12,200 with ATC-ABS options, the exclusivity of the Dorsoduro must be taken into account. If the aesthetics are flattering, the practical aspects are hardly so and its consumption quickly limits the desire for fresh air to the density of service stations available.
Faced with the excellent Ducati Hyper-biker, Aprilia’s stallion may lack consistency and bite. The priority is to come up with an honest and balanced suspension agreement. There is no doubt that then the dorso of the Duro would be more welcoming and its performance much more obvious.
To be continued.
Strong points
- motorization
- frame stiffness
- effective anti-slip
- exhaust sound
Weak points
- messy suspensions
Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200: € 11,690. Two-year parts and labor warranty.
Competitors: .
Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 technical sheet
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