10 Of The Best Aprilia Motorcycles Ever Made – SlashGear

What happens when you take a high-powered dirt bike, upgrade the brakes and suspension, and add slick tires? You get a street-savvy road rocket known as the supermoto, and while this is a relatively niche segment, it produces some great machines like the KTM 990 Supermoto R and Ducati Hypermotard 950 S. The Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 was one such machine that was just as good as any of its contemporaries and as much fun to ride.

At first glance, the Dorsoduro looked a little intimidating, with its over 34-inch seat height, long travel suspension, sporty 17-inch wheels, and compact trellis frame that housed a considerable 749cc engine. It suggested significant potential, like a coiled spring, and by most accounts, that’s precisely what it delivered. Equally at home in the city or on the track, the bike came into its own when thrown through tight twisties due to its excellent handling, light frame, and high riding position. It was characterized by its twin exhausts which were tucked, racing style, up under the seat, and aggressively styled-jagged faring.

Beyond its looks and performance, the Dorsoduro 750 had plenty of fittings and features to keep you entertained. These included its preload-adjustable front and rear suspension, multiple switchable riding modes, and a toggled LCD that displayed plenty of useful data, including lap times and maximum speed, as well as an odometer, speed, temperature, and trip journal. It has since been updated as the Dorsoduro 900, which is a formidable motorcycle in its own right, but it was the much-loved original that deserves a place among the ranks of Aprilia’s best motorcycles.