LA Joy Ride on the awesome Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200
Sometimes you don’t have time to head off to the canyons or go on a track-day, you just have to ride the streets around you. So when I got my eager hands on the new Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 I set […]
Sometimes you don’t have time to head off to the canyons or go on a track-day, you just have to ride the streets around you. So when I got my eager hands on the new Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 I set off on a full day of riding my local car infested city of Los Angeles, well, after a sticky donut that is.
The Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 was exhilarating from first drop of the clutch as the immense power caused the rear wheel to smoke and it was quickly followed by the front wheel reaching for the sky, while I screamed with joy and gripped on for dear-life at the same time.
During the playful day I’d put Alpinestars cool and protective gear to the test and explore the capabilities of Aprilia’s extraordinary sports machine as I zip passed a few famous landmarks, take a quick splash in the LA river and show just how efficient a motorcycle is in highly populated areas can be.
Where is your nearest city? It’s easy, get a motorbike, wear protective gear and Go play, the roads around you are your playground……
Just for the record:
Q: Can motorcycle riders “split” lanes and ride between other vehicles in California?
A: Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.
Frequently asked questions of the California Highway Patrol: http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html
Riding gear by Alpinestars www.alpinestars.com
Jacket: Drift Leather Jacket
Pants: AXIOM Denim Pants
Boots: Mille Riding Shoe
Gloves: GP Tech Leather Glove
Aprilia DORSODURO 1200 – Technical sheet
Engine: Aprilia four-stroke longitudinal 90° V-twin, liquid cooled, double overhead camshafts with mixed gear/chain timing system and four valves per cylinder.
Fuel: Unleaded petrol
Bore x Stroke: 106 x 67.8
Total displacement: 1197 cc
Compression ratio: 12.0 ± 0.5: 1
Maximum power at the crank: 130 hp (96 kW) at 8,700 rpm
Maximum torque at the crank: 11.7 Kgm (115 Nm) at 7,200 rpm
Fuel system: Integrated engine management system. Injection system with triple map Ride by Wire throttle management: Sport (S), Touring (T), Rain (R)
Ignition: Digital electronic ignition integrated with injection system.
Starting: Electric
Exhaust: 100% stainless steel 2-into-2 exhaust system with dual catalytic converters and oxygen sensor.
Generator: 450 W/6000 rpm
Lubrification: Wet sump
Gear box: 6 speeds, drive ratio: 14/36, 17/32, 20/30, 22/28, 23/26, 24/25
Clutch: Multiplate wet clutch, hydraulically operated.
Primary drive: Straight cut gears, drive ratio: 40/69
Final drive: Chain. Drive ratio: 16/40
Frame: Modular tubular steel frame fastened to aluminium side plates by high strength bolts. Removable rear aluminium subframe
Front suspension: Æ 43 mm Sachs upside-down front fork with fully adjustable compression and rebound damping and spring preload. Wheel travel 160 mm.
Rear suspension: Aluminium alloy swingarm Piggy-back design Sachs hydraulic shock absorber with fully adjustable compression and rebound damping and spring preload. Wheel travel 155 mm.
Brakes: Front: Dual Æ 320 mm stainless steel floating discs. Brembo four-piston radial callipers. Metal braided brake hose. Rear: Æ 240 mm stainless steel disc. Single piston Brembo calliper. Metal braided brake hose. Two channel Continental ABS with Aprilia Traction Control (ATC) (specific version)
Wheels: Aluminium alloy Front: 3.50 X 17″ Rear: 6.00 x 17″
Tyres: Radial tubeless tyres; front: 120/70 ZR 17; rear: 180/55 ZR 17
Dimensions: Max. length 2248 mm Max. width 925 mm (at outer edges of hand guards) Max. height 1205 mm (at instrument panel brow) Saddle height 870 mm Wheelbase 1528 mm Trail 118 mm Steering angle 27.3°
Fuel tank capacity: 15 litres (including 3.5 litre reserve)
Music:
Track1: The Dead Rocks – Nicotine
Track2: The Dead Rocks – Sonic Stars
