Aprilia Dorsoduro

The Aprilia Dorsoduro is a supermoto introduced by the Italian manufacturer in 2008, built around a liquid-cooled 90-degree V-twin. The 750 cc version delivers around 91 hp and weighs roughly 196 kg dry; it was followed by a 1200 cc variant and later a 900 cc model, all sharing the aggressive supermotard styling, wide handlebars and high-mounted exhausts under the seat. Ride-by-wire with multiple riding modes was standard on the Dorsoduro 750 ABS, advanced for its time.

The Dorsoduro targets riders looking for a playful, aggressive naked supermoto for city traffic and twisty back roads, without the weight of a full-fat naked sport. The riding position is upright with a tall seat, wide bars and a sharp throttle response. Rivals include the Ducati Hypermotard, KTM 990 SMT/SMR and to a lesser extent the Suzuki SV650/Gladius. It is less suited to long motorway hauls or two-up touring, but excellent for short rides with maximum character.