Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 (2008-2015) Review and used buying guide
Highlights
- A fabulous larger-capacity supermoto
- Excellent engine stolen from Shiver
- A bike you can truly chuck around
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £680 |
| Power: | 92 bhp |
| Seat height: | Tall (34.3 in / 870 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (410 lbs / 186 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Aprilia Dorsoduro is priced competitively cheaper than Ducati’s Hypermotard and KTM 990 supermoto, and still turns heads, is laden with quality parts and has clearly been designed and not just thrown together.
The Aprilia Dorsoduro may not be as radical as the competition or Aprilia’s marketing department would let us believe, however this does make it easy to ride, not intimidating, making the Dorsa a fun, real world, big capacity supermoto.
Watch: Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 video review
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe Aprilia Dorsoduro’s high speed stability is excellent considering the bike’s dimensions. At low speed it also excels, you can really throw the bike around, it’s relatively light and the supermoto riding position enables you to carve up city traffic. However the Aprilia Dorsoduro slightly on the soft side for track use, especially when compared to the competition.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Aprilia Dorsoduro 749cc V-Twin engine has been stolen directly from Aprilia’s Shiver and remains virtually unchanged apart from different fuelling and obviously the exhaust. It’s down on power compared to the competition as it’s only a 750, however its not half bad. Power is smooth and progressive and it sounds lovely out of those two under seat exhausts.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueOn face value the Aprilia Dorsoduro appears to be a quality bike, with quality components and even with a critical eye it’s hard to see where Aprilia has saved costs.
Our Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 owners' reviews show a fair number of buyers reporting electrical issues with their bikes, and one with a warped fuel tank. Give it a careful check over if you're considering buying a used one.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentAs mentioned earlier the Aprilia Dorsoduro is cheaper than the competition and at £6649 it’s reasonably priced for an exotic Italian supermoto. Its also hard to see where Aprilia have saved costs, as the Aprilia Dorsoduro still boasts quality components like huge radial Brembo brakes, side-mounted adjustable shock and a fly by wire throttle.
Equipment
There’s a mode switch on the Aprilia Dorsoduro’s left bar, as like their own Pegaso, which enables you to scroll through the informative screen. As well as the usual information there an additional lap timer, max speed, along with all the usual information. The Aprilia Dorsoduro also boasts an engine management switch which lets you choose between Sports, Touring or Rain mode.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 749cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 8v V-twin, 6 gears |
| Frame type | Steel trellis |
| Fuel capacity | 12 litres |
| Seat height | 870mm |
| Bike weight | 186kg |
| Front suspension | 43mm USD, preload/rebound |
| Rear suspension | Single shock, preload/rebound adjustable |
| Front brake | 2 x 230mm discs |
| Rear brake | 240mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 180/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 40 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £101 |
| Annual service cost | £680 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | £3,700 - £6,200 |
| Insurance group |
11 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 92 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 60.5 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 135 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 13.4 secs |
| Tank range | 100 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
- 2008: Aprilia Dorsoduro launched.
- 2015: Bike goes off sale.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the APRILIA DORSODURO 750 (2008 - 2015)
14 owners have reviewed their APRILIA DORSODURO 750 (2008 - 2015) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your APRILIA DORSODURO 750 (2008 - 2015)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £680 |
Version: 750 factory
Year: 2012
Annual servicing cost: £400
Nothing fancy on this bike. Set it up for your own weight and riding needs and it does nothing wrong.
Set up the suspension correctly and away you go. The brakes are very good. Even now, 45K on the clock, still on the first set of pads.
I like it
I have had the bike from new and had problems with the wiring early days. the rear shock had to be fixed 2 years ago.
There are very few aftermarket bits for this bike, there is not much to improve, it is, in my opinion, great to ride, great to look at, timeless.
Buying experience: From a dealer and I had a part ex. Can't remember the deal.
Version: Factory
Year: 2012
Annual servicing cost: £100
Puts a big smile on my face whenever I ride it. Light, punchy & handles well.
Hard ride but I like it that way, plenty of stopping power from the Brembos.
Punchy power from the 750, freed up via Arrow exhaust.
Only problem I have is with getting it started if left in the cold. The battery doesn't have enough CCA (Cold Cranking Amperage). Rear indicators both broke from vibration, so fitted some LED ones, much better.
Servicing seems cheap enough.
Added a Translogic quick shift. Standard Dunlops were rubbish but am happy with Pilot Powers.
Buying experience: Bought privately via eBay, 2 years old 1,500 miles with Arrow cans for £5,000. All good so far.
Year: 2008
Annual servicing cost: £2,000
Plastic fuel tank warping causing fuel leaks that require a new tank which will eventually just get the same problem. Warping caused by ethanol in fuel that brings water into the tank and that water then warps the plastic.
Fuel tank warping.
Year: 2009
This bike can be comfortably ridden all day while simultaneously having the ability to tear up some twisties. Thus, there is no need to trailer it to the curvy roads if you happen to not have them right outside your door.
I had to have one of the plastic gears that drives the water pump replaced as it was found to be stripped of all of its teeth by the metal gear that drives it thus causing the bike to overheat. After contacting AF1 Racing in Texas, I learned that my problem was more of an anomaly versus a common issue for the Dorsoduro.
Valve adjustment could be a tad costly unless you are able to do this yourself.
The stock bike was excellent; however, after adding Ohlins in the rear, an Andreani Group Fork Cartridge Kit in the front, a slipper clutch, and an aftermarket seat; this is now the ultimate bike for me.
Year: 2012
Annual servicing cost: £200
Great looking bike that always gets noticed, small tank means more fuel stops, but gives more time for others to admire your bike.
Never had a problem with the seat (some say it's rather hard) for a 2 hour ride, never taken a pillion so cant say about that aspect
Sounds great even in stock
Commute in all weathers (city traffic only) for the past 2 years and has never let me down
Most of the servicing (like oil) i do myself (very easy as I'm no bike expert) and the service intervals are quite wide apart
Rain, Touring and Sport maps are so different that it is hard to adjust... I just leave mine in sport in all weathers and ease up on the throttle in the rain
Buying experience: Private dealer
Okay. It was quite troublesome to get an account at the forum but I felt like I was responsible for the prospective owners of this bike. I got an Dorsoduro 750 abs here in Taiwan about 2 weeks ago. And due to the tax law and fees here, I had to pay around 17000 USD to get this bike. Guess what happened. The bike broke at the day I bought it. The dash board keeps showing urgent service and the throttle had no reaction. Plus the oil meter was never correct. (It showed half tank at max and randomly shows from 1~3 blocks, I thought it's coz it's new so it will take some time to be correct) The bike's fuel injection system just pump some gas periodically while the throttle was dead. I've checked other forums and people said it's like the safe mode for this bike. WTF, it happened at the first day I own it?!?! then after a while, I restarted the bike and it's back to normal then I thought it might be fine now. The same situation just happened the next day. then the frequency of this problem just got more often until it's in the "safe mode" which is not ridable and kept showing the "urgent service" at the third day I owned it. unfortunately, there was a long vacation here and I couldn't use my bike anymore for like 10 days. I finally managed to send it back to the dealer 2 days ago after that long vacation. The dealer told me that they can't detect any problem with the bike using Aprilla's computer, which means they can't find a way to solve it. I spent 17000 USD on a machine that I couldn't even ride and even having a mortgage for it. On top of that, it might not even be fixed although it's a completely new bike. This is totally ridiculous. Even if it's fixable someday in the future, I will be worrying about it's reliability like what simonpeyto said on the forum here. I don't want it to break down like that when I am riding at a high speed or in the middle of nowhere. It is a quite powerful machine though, although I could only ride it for about 40 miles before it broke down.
I bought this bike, with 4200 miles on the clock, just out of warranty. The bike handles lovely, really one of the best bikes ive ever owned. However, i have been plagued by electrical problems, it has been in a aprilia garage for over a month now, for over a month ive been listening to excuses after excuses, and to top it off aprilia just went on holiday so no more parts for three weeks. terrible terrible terrible, wouldnt recomend one to my worst enemy. Do yourself a favour, if you want an enduro, buy a KTM 690.
I have a 2010 Dorsoduro, bought from new to commute to work on, under 12k miles and still under warranty. In the time I have owned it it has broken down 6 times! Faulty air pressure sensors, faulty exhaust and an intermittent electrical problem. It has been off the road for well over 3 months due to unscheduled maintenance. Aprilia seem unable to find a permanent fix. I have escalated the complaint to Piaggio UK and they don't seem interested. Unfortunately, my experience of this bike has been absolutely horrendous and arguably very dangerous when I consider the unfortunate places it has stopped on me without warning. Sadly, I'm now at a point where I am instructing solicitors to attempt to recover a refund as I simply cannot trust this bike anymore and the inconvenience and additional expense is just to much to accept.
The Dorso is brilliant! Sounds meaty and look ultra modern. I had one of the people i work with say it looks like something out of IRobot! I love it to bits and cant wait for its 1st service so i can rely open the taps and get the full amount of horsepower. It makes me smile every time i get on it... the only thing that makes me frown is when i look down and the fuel warning light is on AGAIN!! but hell i didn’t buy it to be sensible! Love it, love it, love it!
Took the recomendation of one of the previous owners ratings and just went out and bought it in September last year. Managed to get it run in by the end of October and had great fun doing so. plenty of useable power and great fun on the local twisty A&B roads of Mid / North Wales. Would probably now wait for the 1000 before buying a new one but hope it doesn't put on too much weight. I'm now just looking forward to a change in tyhe weather when I can get out and have some more fun.
I have been riding the Dorso every day for the last 6 months on a daily commute. The suspension setup was crap when I first got it, I had it properly setup by H&M and it is now superb (best £200 ever spent). Brakes are awesome and really give you loads of confidence to have fun on the bike. The engine is creamy smooth and lovely to ride, dont bother with sport or rain mode, they dont do the bike justice. Quality has been superb, one minor issue with hazards coming on randomly (Italian electrics)was sorted by a replacement throttle housing under warranty. The bike turns heads, everyone loves the look and the sound, people are always aking what it is. As you can guess I love this bike, and considering the nearest rival is the Ducati HyperM at several grand more expensive, it is a steal.
Picked up my bike from Taz of Peterborough. Needed to switch the ignition mapping back from sport mode to touring for a couple of hundred miles as it was like a drag bike. My thigh muscles are now getting a work out hanging on as I'm now back to sports mode! Going out in search of the twisty roads as it's an axhilerating ride. Reccommend to anyone who loves adrenalin nut doesn't want the aching wrists & back of the super sports. Fantastick on town/b roads. Could sing it's praises more.... but I think I've made my point!? :o)
Traded in my 56reg Kawasaki z1000 for this bike and loving it. Its fun with a capital F! Test ride one asap you won't be disappointed.
If you were thinking of getting one,don't, just do it ! You won't be disappointed.Fan-bloody-tastic...
Aprilia Dorsoduo engine is 750cc in this case
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Aprilia Dorsoduo exhaust
Aprilia Dorsoduo review detail
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