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Driving report: Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 ABS

The first driving report of the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 ABS

With the Dorsoduro 1200 Aprilia is opening a whole new chapter. A mighty twin in a supermoto suit, adorned with ABS and traction control. Contact.

Wow what an egg dance. The roads in the hinterland of Jerez are in places as slippery as if they were made of polished alabaster. Concentration and a sure instinct are required if the new Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 is not to be in the first corner of the ditch. And the photographers also seem to have picked out the slipperiest corners. Do what you have to do.

W.A little later the pictures are in the box. All machines are intact, so the test drive can begin on more grippy roads. Even if it doesn’t look like it, the 1200 has practically nothing in common with the Dorsoduro 750 apart from the cast side frame parts, the wheels and the swing arm. The engine is a completely new design, is just as compact as the 750 despite its 1.2 liter displacement and has an extremely short stroke. The 106 millimeter thick pistons whiz up and down only 67.8 millimeters in their tracks. Oh dear, a barrel organ?

Driving report: Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 ABS

The first driving report of the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 ABS

Aprilia

The Dorsoduro impresses with its narrow waist, but the comfort of the bench is just as narrow on longer stages.

The on-board electronics have three driving modes ready: Rain, Touring and Sport. While Rain lulls the power output to around 100 hp, the other two modes release full pressure. The touring mapping accommodates contemplative natures with subtle load change reactions and gentle, slightly delayed use of power. Dynamic drivers, on the other hand, are operated in sport mode. Although the load change reactions are now more pronounced, they are still acceptable.

But above all, the twin now shows what it’s made of, now hangs directly, almost bitingly on the gas. However, the ride-by-wire is not yet optimally tuned, and the power output is not completely linear, but a little bit by bit. In any case, the chassis has no problems with the power it offers. It places the engine a little higher and closer to the front wheel than on the 750. In addition, the 1200 has a light aluminum rear frame (750: steel). And the two individual mufflers should save another two kilograms compared to the fat individual muffler of the 750 series. With the 1200 twin, all this ensures a significant shift in weight forward.

The Dorsoduro does not rustle like a whirlwind, but nimbly through the Spanish hinterland. The question arises once again whether the 180 mm tire actually has to sit on a wide, heavy six-inch rim at the rear.

The fork responds finely to small bumps, but somewhat unwillingly to coarser heels. The suspension strut, which is fully adjustable like the fork, is extremely comfortable. The interaction between the two could have been a bit more harmonious. However, there was no time for changes to the suspension setup. That has to be postponed to the first test. And the slippery streets? In the end they lost their horror. Because the Dorsoduro was not only equipped with powerful brakes and a sporty late control ABS, which allows stoppies and more, but also with a traction control adjustable in three stages. It works by comparing the wheel speeds and reacts calmly early on in the softest level – and gently. At level two it was already possible to accelerate heartily out of curves, and here, too, slides were gently caught. To get the sharpest level to work, you probably have to be a tough dog. In any case, she could not be induced to intervene in the short term on non-slip asphalt. In addition, the Aprilians wanted to have their test bikes back in one piece. Their wish could be granted.

Here is the presentation of the Aprilia Dorsoduro:

Noticed

Aprilia

The 1200 is a model of compactness and is no bigger than the 750.

positive

  • Engine powerful in all positions, smoothness especially good in the first half of the speed
  • Sitting position upright and relaxed
  • Balanced handling
  • Practical traction control, sensitive

negative

  • Bench a bit narrow and hard in the long run
  • Ride-by-wire can still be improved
  • Passenger pegs too close to driver pegs
  • ABS tuned very aggressively
  • Balance could be a little better

Technical specifications

Aprilia

The concept of the big dorsoduro turns on, especially with ABS and traction control. For systems that are only available together, a surcharge of 1000 euros is due.

engine:
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 90-degree V-engine, two overhead, gear / chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, Ø 52 mm, regulated catalytic converter, 450 W alternator, 12 V battery, hydraulic actuated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain. Secondary gear ratio 40:16.
Bore x stroke 106.0 x 67.8 mm
Displacement 1197 cc
rated capacity 96.0 kW (131 PS) at 8700 rpm
Max. Torque 115 Nm at 7200 rpm

Landing gear:
Steel tubular frame with screwed cast aluminum parts, up-side-down fork, Ø 43 mm, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, suspension strut, directly hinged, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, double disc brake at the front, Ø 320 mm, Four-piston fixed calipers, rear disc brake, Ø 240 mm, single-piston floating caliper, ABS.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17

Mass and weight:
Wheelbase 1528 mm, steering head angle 65.1 degrees, caster 118 mm, spring travel f / r 160/155 mm, seat height 870 mm, weight with a full tank of 223 kg, tank capacity 15.0 liters.
guarantee two years
Colors Black and white
price 12,799 euros
(without ABS and ATC) 11,799 euros

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