Aprilia DORSODURO 1200 1.2 2015

Version 1.2 of the 1200 SMV brings a series of improvements for suspense and a significant weight gain. 700 grams of won on a few trinkets and 2300 more on the rims (from the ex 1000 Tuono V4). Nice effort, which revives all the interest of this big supermotard. Criticized when it came out for its insufficiently rigorous chassis, the machine benefits from a few judicious adjustments to regain agility; and especially better exploit the ardor of the big twin. The electronic assistances have also been recalibrated for more finesse.

Basically, the large-caliber SMV remains the big brother of the 750 of the same name and takes up the technical solutions. Same sporty silhouette just fine-tuned in details (mini windshield, engine spoiler….), Same chassis profile with 43mm inverted fork, 4-piston radial calipers on 320mm discs, very nice swingarm with double branches, and truss frame in steel tubes connected to aluminum side plates.

On the other hand, on the engine side, there are big people jostling. The twin cylinder of Noale cube 1197 cm3 with very square dimensions (106 x 67.8 mm). It is equipped with 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooling, dual ignition, double ACT, and electronic technology that Aprilia particularly likes: ride by wire accelerator, triple mapping (Sport, Tourism, rain), ABS, and control of ATC traction derived from that of the RSV4. Each system can be disconnected, which allows everyone to choose their level of safety and / or drift according to their experience and mastery.
To break the Ducati 821 Hypermotard and nudge the KTM SM 990 fire, the twin didn’t skimp on the power available. Under the right hand are 130 horsepower and almost 12 mkg of torque. It starts to do a lot but then a lot of watts for a machine in this category. Maximum power is obtained at 8,700 rpm. The maximum torque of 11.7 mkg arrives a little earlier, at 7,200 rpm. Please note, the 1200 Dosoduro is also a machine weighing more than 200 kg that must be mastered, and therefore leaves less room for improvisation than a pure Supermot machine ’with one quintal less.

Bigger, beefier than the 7 and a half, the 1200 Dorsoduro doesn’t just inflate on power and weight. It has an increased wheelbase, a fuel tank carrying 4 liters more and Sachs suspensions allowing more adjustments. Just to give it a ladle, let’s let our imaginations wander a bit in this video concocted by Aprilia.