By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supermoto
Ducati Hyperstrada (MY2013) vs Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 (MY2011)
Ducati Hyperstrada vs Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
Roll on off an apex and the Ducati Hyperstrada's twin doesn't fight you: it spins up smooth and free toward the top. The Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200's throttle bites with a sharper edge, and its engine won't let go. It's still pulling hard as the corner opens up.
So which one do you buy?
The Hyperstrada has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: Hyperstrada
On upkeep, the Hyperstrada asks a bit less of your wallet. The difference won't change your life.
The Dorsoduro 1200 has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Narrow edge: Dorsoduro 1200
On a closed course, the Dorsoduro 1200 edges ahead. Not by enough to settle it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: Dorsoduro 1200
Once the road starts to bend, the Dorsoduro 1200 noses ahead. It's down to harder acceleration. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The Dorsoduro 1200 costs less, but that doesn't make it the better buy. Neither bike is the clear winner on value alone. Your choice depends on what you want the bike to do.
What makes each one tick
Hyperstrada
Wide bars and an upright perch let the Hyperstrada drop into tight bends with a flick, and the light chassis doesn't stop asking for the next one. The Testastretta motor answers cleanly from low in the tach. There's barely any buzz in the pegs. The throttle's the catch at small, steady settings, where the motor surges and hunts through town and slow bends. The exhaust snarls up to redline.
Nils rode the Hyperstrada in 2013 (NastyNils Testride).
Dorsoduro 1200
There's real eagerness in how the Dorsoduro flicks through bends off its wide bars. It's steady at speed. Out of the crate the rear shock's sprung too soft for more than easy road use, and a bump at pace finds it out. Dialed in, the chassis shows what it's capable of.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Hyperstrada has the lower seat: 33.5 in (850 mm) vs 34.3 in (870 mm).
- The Dorsoduro 1200 makes more peak power: 130 hp (96 kW) vs 110 hp (81 kW).
- The Dorsoduro 1200 makes more peak torque: 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) vs 66 lb-ft (89 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not their thing
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
For commuting, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Hyperstrada
What owners say
Strengths
- Playful, accessible supermoto handling
- Smooth, characterful L-twin engine
- Well-equipped out of the box
Trade-offs
- Grabby, binary clutch in stock form
- Poor low-speed fuelling
- Underdamped front suspension
- Limited fuel range
Dorsoduro 1200
Strengths
- Corner Exits Embarrass Sportbikes
- Sharper Engine Than Expected
- Stripped, Purposeful Cockpit
- Engagement Over Everything
- Lean Clearance And Soundtrack
Trade-offs
- Stutters On Light Throttle
- Rear Shock Too Soft
- Neutral Is A Hunt
- Front Brake Lacks Bite
- Aggressive throttle in Sport mode
Known problems to check before you buy
Hyperstrada
- Christmas Tree of Death – ECU failure Electromagnetic spikes from the ignition system can corrupt or fry the engine ECU, lighting up the dashboard like a Christmas tree and leaving the bike dead. A factory suppressor wiring upgrade or Aprilia coils may prevent it, but many bikes were sold without the fix.
- Rear brake goes mushy / ineffective The rear brake frequently loses pressure and feel, even after fluid changes. A badly bled system from the factory is suspected, but some owners report persistent air ingress.
- Front brake rotor warping / grabbing Some early bikes suffered from pulsating front brakes caused by warped rotors. Dealers replaced discs and pads under warranty, but the issue can reappear.
- Engine stalling when coasting to a stop At low revs and closed throttle, the engine often stalls when pulling in the clutch while decelerating. The cause is often the carbon canister (US models) or a TPS/throttle body sync issue. Removing the evap canister often cures it.
- Starter motor drag / hard starting Several owners reported slow cranking or a starter that seemed to struggle, especially when hot. A lithium battery upgrade often masks the problem.
Dorsoduro 1200
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 11-year-old Hyperstrada with an 11-year-old Dorsoduro 1200.
- Hyperstrada
- about $6,300
- Dorsoduro 1200
- about $5,600
At 11 years old, the Ducati Hyperstrada sits around $6,300 while the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 lands near $5,600. That's a $700 gap in the Dorsoduro's favor. These are estimates from earlier US market records, not live listings.
What they share
- 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
Where the spec sheets split
| Hyperstrada | Dorsoduro 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.5 in (850 mm) | 34.3 in (870 mm) |
| Hyperstrada | Dorsoduro 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 821 cc | 1200 cc |
| Engine | L-twin | 90° V-twin |
| Power | 110 hp (81 kW) | 130 hp (96 kW) |
| Torque | 66 lb-ft (89 Nm) | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) |
| Hyperstrada | Dorsoduro 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 45 mpg (US) / 5.2 L/100 km | 34 mpg (US) / 6.9 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 US gal (16 L) | 4.0 US gal (15 L) |
| Hyperstrada | Dorsoduro 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 6.1 in (155 mm) | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
| Front travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
| Rear travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Hyperstrada | Dorsoduro 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Standard | Option |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
