Mark Fattore•1 Nov 2012

REVIEW

2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200

Name: 2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200
Brand: Aprilia

For a unique, thrill-a-minute two-wheel proposition, the Dorsoduro – now with ABS and traction control -- remains one of the best

When Aprilia launched the 2012 version of the Dorsoduro in Sicily, it also coincided with a fresh eruption of Mount Etna on the east coast of the Mediterranean Island. The Italian company’s timing was impeccable: it gave the journalists a chance to try out anti-lock braking and traction control – both new electronic aids on the maxi motard -- on the slick ash that was settling on some of the best, sinewy roads the island has to offer. Aprilia was taming the volcanic eruptions…

Our test on the latest version of the Dorsoduro 1200 didn’t quite have the natural disaster-led fanfare, but any bike that adds electronic aids to its repertoire – but with the ability to switch them off -- has to be a good thing. And that’s exactly what Aprilia has served up on the latest incarnation of its thrill-seeking, in-your-face supermoto machine, which we first tested in June, 2011 with this to say: “It’s virtually impossible not to arrive at your destination – hopefully with your licence intact – content that you’ve just been through an impossibly enjoyable and manic commute. How often can you say that?”

Nothing in the interim has made us change that view, because the rolling chassis – apart from new wheels which are responsible for most of the 3kg drop in overall weight – and the engine are basically unchanged, so the pure adrenalin factor is still well and truly there.

Both the anti-lock braking and traction control operate independently, so the ABS can be on while the ATC is switched off, or vice versa. The anti-lock braking has just the two settings: on or off, while the traction control has four: level one, two or three, or off. Level one offers the least intervention, while level three offers the most. Both functions can only be changed when the Dorsoduro 1200 is at a standstill.

For those who are interested – and for a backstreet brawler like the Dorsoduro 1200 it’s probably an important point – there’s no formal wheelie control as such. Instead, the traction control function takes care of trimming the ignition when traction loss is imminent, but you can always turn the traction control function off and let yourself go.

The ride-by-wire Dorsoduro continues with the three riding modes: Sport, Touring or Rain, which can all be toggled between on the fly with the starter button. But like the mode button, it is a slow system, which kinda goes against the grain for such a dynamic, balls-out, satisfaction-on-demand bike.

Rain mode only allows 100hp, and you’d really only opt for it when the conditions turn really nasty. Getting spoilt aren’t we when 100hp is bordering on languid…. Otherwise, I find Touring mode, which has a softer throttle response but offers full power (130hp), the best one to handle most daily affairs with ease. Sport mode has a much more aggressive streak, and delivers a wicked blow from about 4000rpm. Admittedly, that’s something you never get sick of, although traffic situations do show up some hesitation on a partial throttle, which is merely noticeable rather than being an annoying bugbear.

I suppose all that frenzied activity comes at a cost, and we recorded a fuel consumption figure of close to 8lt/100km – an effective range of about 170-180km. That’s pretty thirsty work but let’s put it into context: it’s a city bike, and the spartan seat (but still by no means the worst in supermoto land) won’t accommodate long stretches in the saddle. The fuel tank is 16 litres.

The hostile power delivery has lot to do with the engine dimensions – 106mm x 67.88mm. Aprilia claims 130hp (96kW) at 8700rpm, and 115Nm at 7200rpm.

The gearing is quite tall, and in top gear it’s literally purring along at 3400rpm – it’d be nice to be closer to that peak torque mark for the really ego-boosting overtake. So that leaves fifth, and it’s certainly not a chore to move through the sweet-shifting gearbox.

By shedding plenty of unsprung weight through the wheels – a tauter front mudguard also contributes to the 3kg weight loss – there’s even more bite through corners, particularly when rapid changes of direction are in order and the handlebar really gets a workout as the bike moves from side to side. Because the Dorsoduro 1200 weighs in at fairly hefty 212kg, the weight’s been reduced in the area where it will make the most impact. And with those superb Brembo brakes, the rides even more rewarding than ever.

The stiff Sachs suspension is fully adjustable at both ends, with the shock still positioned off centre to accommodate the engine architecture.

As we alluded to the last time we rode the Dorsoduro 1200, the flat and wide perch allows any number of seating options: from an aggressive forward posture in the cabin to a more relaxed aft position. The seat height is 870mm.

There are plenty of accessories for the Dorsoduro 1200, including passenger grab handles ($73.48), an Arrow slip-on exhaust ($2294), and carbon-fibre front guard (($350.57). For the full accessories list, click here.

The Dorsoduro 1200 is $17,990. Aprilia hasn’t pushed the envelope with updates, but traction control, antilock brakes and sharper handling are still pretty handy attributes to add to the mix. The 1200 isn’t one for the masses, but as a unique, thrill-a-minute two-wheel proposition, it’s still one of the best.

Visit the 2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 ATC/ABS in Bike Showroom

SPECS: APRILIA DORSODURO 1200

ENGINE

Type: Liquid-cooled, four-valves-per-cylinder, DOHC, four-stroke, 90-degree V-twin

Capacity: 1197cc

Bore x stroke: 106mm x 67.8mm

Compression ratio: 12.0:1

Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE

Maximum power: 130hp (96kW) at 8700rpm

Maximum torque: 115Nm at 7200rpm

TRANSMISSION

Type: Six-speed

Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR

Frame: Modular steel trellis

Front suspension: 43mm inverted Sachs fork, fully adjustable

Rear suspension: Sachs monoshock, fully adjustable

Front brakes: Twin 320mm disc with four-piston radial-mount Brembo caliper with ABS

Rear brake: 220mm disc with single-piston Brembo caliper with ABS

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES

Dry weight: 212kg

Seat height: 870mm

Wheelbase: 1526mm

Fuel capacity: 15 litres

OTHER STUFF

Price: $17,990

Colours: Glamour White or Racing Red

Bike supplied by: John Sample Group, www.aprilia.com.au

Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

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2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200

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