Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200

Riding a supermotard to the limit sliding in and out of corners requires some superhuman skills on something like the SXV. The Dorsoduro 1200, however, allows the street-riding public to approach some of those skills in a safe way. With that big 1197cc engine and stiff chassis, I couldn’t feel anything resembling that of riding a heavy bike. The Dorso 1200 just feels nimble and willing to all inputs.

The steering angle, despite the big radiator at the front, is free and quick allowing you to make U-turns quicker than a city scooter. One of the great things about off-road and supermoto bikes is the freedom of that front wheel to be placed exactly where you want it to be. The rest of the body simply has to follow in the fashion you decide be it sideways or not. The Dorsoduro takes you toward that freedom while motorcycles like the Shiver don’t.