A Closer Look at The 2022 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900
The Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 was initially launched in 2017. Since then, it has established itself as a superbike with stellar performance, agility, and technology. It has also won 54 world titles, 7 in Supermoto championships, and the rest in equally challenging competitions. Let’s look at what the new and improved 2022 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 has to offer.
Overview
The Dorsoduro has some very impressive characteristics, and its performance is near world-class. However, this bike is generally not every rider’s cup of tea, especially given its hefty $11,000 (£8,999) price tag. Previous owners have also complained that it is too heavy and too long, which makes riding it a hassle. Aprilia recently improved the bike’s displacement and gave it more torque and power, so if you can overlook the high cost and weight, it is a generally good bike.
What’s New for 2022?
Selling at $11,103 (£8,999), the 2022 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 is more compact than its predecessors. It comes with a longer, flatter saddle alongside a slimmer tail that makes for a better riding experience. Additionally, indicator lights and an LED tail have been added to ensure better night visibility. Riders can also look forward to improved weight distribution and symmetry thanks to the double exhaust. In terms of features, the new Dorsoduro has a 4.3-inch interactive screen that serves both as entertainment and an information portal. It also offers improved driving capabilities, including:
- Three riding modes: Sport, Touring, and Rain.
- Continental two-channel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
- Aprilia traction control
- A new full ride-by-wire electronic accelerator system
The 2022 Aprilia Dorsoduro is powered by an 896cc V-twin, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC gasoline engine coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The unit produces a maximum torque of 90 Nm and power of 95 hp – all very impressive for a bike this size.
Engine and Performance
The original Dorsoduro was built on the same platform as the Shiver naked sportbike. It was powered by a 750cc, V-twin, liquid-cooled engine housed in a hybrid steel trellis/aluminum spar frame. In 2018, the company gave the unit a longer stoke of 67.4 mm from the previous 56.4 mm, increasing the displacement to 896.1cc and the horsepower to 95 from 92 at 8,750 rpm. The most significant change caused by the lengthening of the stroke is the increased torque. The 2018 model produces 66.4 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm, up from only 60.5 lb-ft. Overall, these improvements make the Dorsoduro more aggressive than the Shiver. Its engine is smoother, so you do not have to choke the bike to get it moving faster and stronger. In the 2022 model, the Dorsoduro maintains its three standard engine maps – Rain, Touring, and Sport. Sport has been refined so that it is less unruly than it was in the 2018 model, and Rain works perfectly in wet, muddy terrain. If you like to remain on middle ground, Touring is the way to go. Moreover, the bike has received updates to the crankshaft and pistons, designed to reduce weight and friction, as well as a high-pressure double-jet injector for enhanced fuel atomization.
Suspension and Weight
Unfortunately, suspension and weight are not where the new Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 shines. The bike is powerful enough to provide top-rate performance on the worst roads, but it is far from light and nimble. Aprilia did incorporate some changes in a bid to reduce the bike’s weight and smooth out the rough edges, including making the 6-speed transmission a slick shifter, redesigning the hydraulic clutch, and adding a wider primary gear. The updates are significant, but the bike is still a tad heavy. By using a 41mm unit instead of the adjustable 43mm Kayaba fork, Aprilia was able to shed 3.1 pounds off the new Dorsoduro. The automaker also equipped the bike with lightweight three-spoke wheels that reduced the overall weight by another 5 pounds. This was all part of the Slim-Fast Plan, which was designed to solve the weight problem. Still, a curb weight of 467 pounds remains too heavy.
Design
The Dorsoduro gets ten points on styling thanks to Aprilia’s brilliant design. The bike has a spectacular set of underseat exhaust pipes, a red rear shock spring and valve covers, and a matching trellis frame. Moreover, the shift lights arranged in a parallel series across the bike’s top make it look like you are riding down an airport runway. The full-color, 4.3-inch TFT is one of the most interactive panels on any sportbike in the market today – complete with large, bold graphics. Sadly, Aprilia has not yet included fuel level information on this screen. The bike also does not have a fuel gauge, and you have to depend on a low-fuel light and tripmeter for this crucial data. This is rather disappointing for a bike in its price range.
Color Options and Accessories
In 2018, the Dorsoduro 900 only came in an Adrenalinic Silver that shared graphics with the Tuono and RSV4 bikes. Now, you can pick from Exciting Dark and Adrenalinic Silver. You also get to enjoy impressive rider accessories from Aprilia.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the 2022 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 is not the go-to bike for every rider, but it is pretty impressive in its own right. The 896cc, V-twin, four-stroke, liquid-cooled unit is very powerful and produces a pleasantly distinct sound that many riders will love. The design and color schemes are also remarkable, making for a dominating appearance. That said, the Dorsoduro 900 is very pricey, and its weight can make it unsuitable for new, inexperienced riders.