2012–2015 · Supermoto · Buyer's Guide
Big Torque, Supermoto Looks
The Dorsoduro 1200 has a supermoto stance and a big-twin roadster underneath. The heart is a liquid-cooled 1197 cc 90° V-twin making 130 hp and 85 lb-ft, and its real personality lives in the midrange rather than at the redline. Aprilia wraps it in a steel trellis frame with an upside-down fork, and suspension is adjustable at both ends. For electronics you get ABS, traction control, and Ride-by-Wire with three switchable maps, which is serious equipment for a bike in this class. It looks the part too, sharp and unmistakably Italian. This is a big supermoto built by people who care about chassis dynamics.
Out on the road it rides with the calm of a much bigger machine. It's stable, composed through fast sweepers and happy to cover real distance, which you don't expect from something that looks this wild. The honest caveat is that it's tall, heavy for a supermoto, and slow to steer. On tight, choppy roads a lighter bike will run away from it. For ownership, keep an eye on the rear subframe, where cracks can show up at the bolting point around 17,000 mi (27,000 km), and on loose wiring at the fuse block. Otherwise it's a solid, low-drama bike for a rider who wants character without a fragile toy.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 130 hp (96 kW) @ 8,700 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) @ 7,200 rpm |
| Displacement | 1197 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| Front travel | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
| Rear travel | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
| Seat height | 34.3 in (870 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 gal (15 L) |
| Top speed | 135 mph (217 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 34 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Over the years I've picked this up in paddock conversations, owner chats, club-night talk and the messages riders send me directly. What owners say about the 2012–2015 Dorsoduro 1200 is fairly consistent: a strong, well-finished big twin that rides more comfortably than its supermoto roots suggest, with complaints about agility and a few smaller gripes.
Owners bring up the engine most often. They describe linear power with a fat midrange that makes overtaking feel effortless. Several also point to the finish. They mention the radial Brembo brakes, the fully adjustable Sachs suspension and build quality that gives the whole bike a premium feel. The ABS and traction control get credit for working in the background without intruding. Some owners say the plush ride makes long days on bumpy roads easier than they expected.
The most common complaint is agility. Riders who expect the reflexes of a smaller supermoto find the 1200 cumbersome once the corners get tight. A few owners also say the seat height is a hurdle for shorter riders. Others describe the Sport map as abrupt enough to make fine throttle control difficult.
Rear subframe cracking at welding seams
Some owners report cracks developing at the aluminium rear subframe’s bolting point, typically around 17,000 mi (27,000 km). Welding repair is possible.
Engine cooling issues and piston scuffing
One owner reported excessive cooling causing piston slap and scuffing, particularly on the front cylinder, requiring radiator taping to reach operating temperature.
Shift locking lever wear
Premature wear of the shift locking lever can cause shifting issues; noted on at least one high-mileage example (36,000 mi (58,000 km)).
Air pressure sensor malfunctions
The air pressure sensors can act up, triggering warning lights; often resolved by replacement or cleaning.
Loose electrical connections at fuse block
Some bikes suffer from loose wires by the fuse block, causing intermittent electrical gremlins that are usually fixed by securing the connections.
Where this Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 ABS ATC pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Dorsoduro 1200 ABS ATC is actually built for.
On fast, flowing canyon roads it's in its element, stable and loud with grunt to fire you out of every bend. Just don't expect lightweight agility in the tight stuff.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If tight technical roads like the Dragon are your thing, the weight and lazy steering will make you work hard. It shines more on the open, sweeping Blue Ridge sections.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
It's a strong fit. It's comfortable enough for long Hill Country loops, sounds great rolling into town for BBQ, and has the torque for every sweeper out there.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 ABS ATC. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
