Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 (2017-2020) Review, Specs & Prices
Highlights
- Big capacity supermoto
- Confident handling, exciting performance
- Cheaper than Ducati rival
At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £240 |
Power: | 94 bhp |
Seat height: | Tall (34.3 in / 870 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (467 lbs / 212 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 is a niche product and its update is never going to change this. But if you are into big supermotos, the Aprilia is well priced, has a high spec and rides with a spark of attitude that its naked sibling, the Shiver 900, lacks.
- Related: original Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 review
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThrough bends, the Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 inspires confidence. It’s not super-agile, but it is assured and when you add the safety nets of traction control as well as strong brakes backed up with ABS you can ride it pleasingly hard.
The suspension has some adjustability, meaning you can dial out that rocking sensation you so often get on supermotos with their long travel suspension. Both the TC and ABS can be deactivated if you want to play the fool.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityOn the throttle the V-twin is really smooth, which is a good thing, but the Aprilia Dorsoduro 900’s lowered gearing when compared to the Shiver gives it a bit more of a much-needed zing. There is constant torque right through the rev range and while it isn’t the most powerful of lumps, it does respond really nicely with a pleasant throttle pick-up and lovely light clutch action.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueBuild quality appears quite strong, but Aprilia still suffer a bit from the perception that their bikes are unreliable. There are no major issues with the Dorsoduro 750 and the 900 is essentially the same bike with a longer stroke within its motor, so all should be good. The limited dealer network work is a bit of an issue.
Our Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 owners' reviews show some issues. It's worth having a good read through before looking at a secondhand bike for sale.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentAprilia's Dorsoduro 900 is priced to undercut its main rival, the Ducati Hypermotard 939. There's the Yamaha MT-09, which is a bit supermoto in its outlook, that's considerably cheaper.
Equipment
The Dorsoduro comes with three-stage traction control as well as three power modes thanks to its ride-by-wire throttle, which is good. The dash is a full colour item and can be linked to a smartphone via the optional extra A-MP kit, which sounds all very impressive until you remember the KTM 125 Duke also has this technology.
Specs |
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Engine size | 896cc |
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Engine type | Four-stroke, liquid-cooled V-twin |
Frame type | Tubular steel with aluminium side plates |
Fuel capacity | 12 litres |
Seat height | 870mm |
Bike weight | 212kg |
Front suspension | 41mm inverted forks, adjustable rebound and preload |
Rear suspension | Single shock, adjustable spring preload and rebound |
Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs, four-piston radial calipers; ABS |
Rear brake | 240mm disc, one-piston caliper ABS |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 180/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 50 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | £240 |
New price | - |
Used price | £6,200 |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 94 bhp |
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Max torque | 66.4 ft-lb |
Top speed | 130 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 120 miles |
Owners' reviews for the APRILIA DORSODURO 900 (2017 - 2020)
4 owners have reviewed their APRILIA DORSODURO 900 (2017 - 2020) 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 900 (2017 - 2020)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £240 |
Year: 2019
Tank range is pathetic. Which is fortunate because it gives you an excuse to stop for fuel with it being the most uncomfortable bike I have ever owned.My backside was numb after 30 miles.
Too heavy for what it is. It's more a fairly bulky road bike setup to look like a Motard.If you want a Motard get a 701. If you want an Aprilia Motard (and are brave) then get an SXV.I doubt the seat on either will be harder on your backside. You'd probably be better off all round with an Mt09 if you can avoid the siren call of Doris's seductive looks and her sweet exhaust whispering into your ears.
Engine sounds fantastic. In fact it's one of the best sounding bikes out there especially with Akros on.Gearbox is a bit pants though when it decides to have a game of hunt the neutral with you.I always felt it was underpowered and was always hitting the rev limiter as though I was waiting for more.
Oil drips from gear change shafts at about 900 miles does not inspire confidence.
Main issue is finding a decent Aprilia dealer.
The dash was good.She attracts attention. If you want a bike to pose around town she is great.If you actually want to ride somewhere comfortably look elsewhere.
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £400
Wolf in sheep's clothing
Sweeping A roads
Nothing brilliant
Throttle body req calibration a few times . just lack of power but still ok to run
Valve clearance expensive
Arrow cans bridge stone s21 or s22
Buying experience: Dealer 9000 new absolute bargain
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £179
Bought this bike new in march 2019. Awesome handling and stretched out riding position..(the reason i bought it).Got a good discount. The bad...it looks like a super moto but is not a super moto .Eats rear tyres. The fuel range is why I'm now looking at an Aprilia Caponord or KTM 1190. Spirited run (for my mild mannered motorcycling)would be 90 miles...i got 106 miles out on a gentle tour with friends. I love this bike but the small tank has f%£ked for me.
Forking great bike for country lanes and having fun.
Love it
Got a brake recall...its not 5 because i travelled 100 miles to get the job done...
First service was £111.00 second was the same service £179. Keeping the warranty costs money.
Buying experience: Very good
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £130
Every part of me wants to give it 5 stars, and yet I can't. My shortened review is that it's just brilliant to ride. But there are just issues I can't get over.
The ride is on the harder side. The rear shock is very saggy from the factory, but harden it up and there's no problem. The front forks are okay for road use, but all adjustment being on one side doesn't fill me with much confidence. A £9000 motorcycle has no excuse to not have adjustment spread over both forks. The brakes are a little squishy and the rear basically locks up (even though it has ABS) anytime you want to actually use it, which is nice when you fancy backing the bike into corners, but not so nice when the nonce in front of you drops their phone. Despite my complaints however, they're above average for bikes in this price range in my opinion. An upgraded master cylinder on the front would certainly be a welcome upgrade.
I love it. Simply put. It is an amazing engine. It pulls hard from nice and low, you don't need to be absolutely ragging it to enjoy it and it makes an absolutely wonderful noise. The gearbox is a bit poo, and hates going into neutral when it's cold, but otherwise, it's a bloody brilliant engine.
Multiple parts of the bike are rusting (1700 miles on the clock). Yes, I ride through winter. Yes, I clean the bike very regularly and protect it. The catalytic converter bakes the inside of the chain meaning one side essentially is never lubricated despite cleaning and lubricating regularly. Makes it very difficult to stop the chain rusting (I've never had a chain rust in my life). It's been back to the dealer numerous times, sometimes simply failing to start up at all. It broke down on the first day of ownership due to certain fuses and wires not having been fitting correctly. The 'stainless' steel exhaust system is either not stainless, or of such low quality material it corrodes extremely quickly. Again, I have never owned a bike where my exhausts have begun to corrode, and certainly not within 1700 miles of use. (As comparison, I owned an F800GS for 20,000 miles - done in 2 years - which had zero corrosion on it anywhere when I sold it). The exposed brake lines corrode very quickly, so despite it being disgusting, lather them in grease and they won't. Perks of the ABS module being right at the front of the bike. Multiple screws and bolts were cross threaded from the factory which have since needed to be re-tapped and replaced to avoid the problem.
Other than it being a rear tyre and fuel eating machine, it's pretty cheap to run. Insurance isn't that ridiculous (considering). Though where the MCN rider claims to be getting 50mpg from, I have no idea. When I'm not hammering it, I'm only just in the low 40's. If you're a fan of wide open throttles and caning it, be prepared for sub 30mpg. If your commute is particularly stop/start, be prepared for the fuel light at around 65 miles. The bike is well overpriced for it's overall quality. Its key selling feature is that it's niche, and people like me (idiots) love big V-Twin supermotos. I should have bought a Hypermotard.
Nothing stand out whatsoever, given the price range. Especially when you think the KTM 790 is packed to the rafters in comparison.
Buying experience: Bought from new, from a dealer and they have been nothing but fantastic for me, despite my many issues. I ended up paying about £8500, which is about £500 below asking price these days.