hydraulically activated to reduce lever forces
needed, which helps in traffic and around town.
Electronically there’s a massive difference
between the new and old Dorsoduros. This year’s
model gets the Marelli SM 7 ECU, the same unit
used in Aprilia’s top of the range machinery. These
ECUs are derived from the racing experience that
was gained through years of on-track trial and error,
and it shows.
Not only does the Dorsoduro have all the bells
and whistles, they work brilliantly too. There’s a
ride-by-wire throttle, a traction control system and
a two-channel ABS system on board. Having two
channels sounds impressive, but really it just means
the front and rear ABS work independently, rather
than activating together when the first wheel starts
to slip, as on some earlier systems.
There are a ton of bikes on the market with
similar safety equipment, but not all of them are
as glitch free – the ECU is one of the Dorsoduro’s
highlights. There are three throttle maps and three
traction control modes to play with and they’re
easy to change on the fly. The mode button on the
left ’bar adjusts the traction and the starter button
(while running) changes engine modes.
The chassis is the same as the old 750 and is made
up of four parts: the main trellis section, two bolt-Engine: 690cc single
Power: 49kW
Torque: 67Nm
Price: $15,995 (+ ORC)Husqvarna
701 SupermotoEngine: 937cc L-twin
Power: 83.1kW
Torque: 97.9Nm
Price: $17,990 (+ ORC)Ducati
HypermotardEngine: 798cc triple
Power: 92kW
Torque: 81Nm
Price: N/A
Engine: 896.1cc V-twin
Power: 70kW
Torque: 90 Nm
Price:$ 15 , 790 (+ORC)
Aprilia
Dorsoduro
RiRivaleval