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Husaberg FX 450 Best Action
Husaberg FX 450 Motorcycle
Husaberg FX 450 Wallpaper
2011 Aprilia Tuono V4R Front View
2011 Aprilia Tuono V4R Pictures
2011 Aprilia Tuono V4R Motorcycles
2011 Aprilia Tuono V4R Photos
2011 Aprilia Tuono V4R Sportbike
Originating from the habitat of Noale, in the province of Venice, Italy, the 2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 appeared to be just the type of urban assault, canyon-carving supermotard motorcycle I was looking to get my hands on.
It's the type of motorcycle you might see World Superbike champion Max Biaggi tooling around town on during the off-season.
Although entomology is by no means my forté, I couldn't help but be struck by the similarities in appearance between the Aprilia Dorsoduro supermoto and the colloquially named praying mantis.
Of course, I was host to the aptly provided laser green paint scheme and as I peered into the eyes of this predatory vehicular insect, I was convicted further upon noticing the designs of headlight, windscreen, front fender, hand guards, turn signals and antennae-like rear view mirrors that protrude just so.
Even the dual, under seat exhaust and tailpiece configuration hint of a mantis posterior.
Animal Kingdom comparisons aside, the 2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 impressed me as soon as I fired it up. The Dorsoduro's liquid cooled, 4-valve, double overhead cam, 90 degree V-Twin motor let out a crisp, snappy growl that triggered an instant smile.
Once aboard the Aprilia, I found myself on tiptoes to keep the Dorsoduro upright, a possible deterrent for those in want of a lengthy inseam.
Although the seat height measures just over 34 inches, my initial concern was quickly allayed once riding and I felt how light and agile the motorcycle felt beneath me.
This was due in part to the Dorsoduro's distinctive mixed trellis and aluminum frame as well as the adjustable front and rear suspension.
Additionally, the 43mm upside down fork offers adjustments for both spring preload and rebound damping. The bars felt light in my hands, the Aprilia eager to respond.
The 2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 is stripped down to essentials and wastes no fanfare with superfluous gadgetry or plastic body parts.
Make no mistake, the collective sum of its parts that do make the cut equal components that leave no wonder Biaggi was on the WSBK podium often enough to earn last year's championship.
I felt reassured under braking by the 4-piston radial calipers and 320 mm wave discs in the front and was pleasantly surprised by the response of the seldom-used rear brake.
With Aprilia's Tri-Map ride by wire system, I found myself in eager anticipation of how the Dorsoduro's 92 horsepower and 60 ft/lbs torque would translate to my right wrist commands as I journeyed through the local canyons and city streets.
Oddly, I found what I thought I'd enjoy most--the Sport mode--to be, dare I say, overly responsive and snappy.
Plainly put, it is too abrupt for my liking, even in the canyons. That said, the map for the Rain mode kept thrills to a minimum, as would be appropriate for the setting. I've kept the Dorsoduro 750 on Touring mode ever since and find that to be the best balance of power and smooth.
The mixed analog/digital instrumentation cluster is easy on the eyes and informative, with the exception of the level of fuel in the tank.
Speaking of fuel, I was a bit unimpressed at the frequency I've had to visit the gas station to satiate the Dorsoduro 750's thirst.
The 2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 is a bike flexible enough to accommodate riders of all levels--as long as they are tall enough that they are not intimidated by the seat height. Dirt riders migrating to the street will be especially drawn to this supermoto motorcycling.
If the seat height isn't an issue, the Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 is easy enough to handle for the beginner, yet punchy, powerful and nimble enough to satisfy even the upper echelon riders.
This green Italian mantis, I mean supermoto, is a bike I find excuses to ride as often as possible, even in the 45-degree morning chill on the way to work.
Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto leads the point race in 2011 AMA Supercross as the series heads to Oakland this weekend for Round 4.
Villopoto won the opening round at Anaheim 1, took second at Phoenix, and then regained the first-place spot at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles last weekend. Going into Round 4 of 17, Villopoto is five points ahead of San Manuel Yamaha's James Stewart, who took the win at Phoenix.
This weekend's race will be the first time the SX field will compete at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the second consecutive debut of a venue following last weekend's Dodger Stadium race.
Supercross races have been held in Oakland in the past, but at other venues. Following are some stats and facts about previous races in Oakland, and this Saturday's event at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The third and final day of testing wrapped up Friday at Portimao, Portugal, the first official session of the 2011 World Superbike Championship.
A repeat of the first two days, rain fell, slowing the WSBK riders as they tuned their Superbikes for the upcoming 13-race season. Leading the combined times of the morning and afternoon sessions Friday was Ruben Xaus on the Castrol Honda CBR1000RR.
Xaus posted 1:47.065, followed 1.2 seconds later by Michel Fabrizio on the Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Noriyuki Haga topped the afternoon session timesheets aboard the PATA Racing Aprilia RSV4, and was fourth fastest overall on Friday; many riders didn't get on the track for the afternoon session due to the rain.
Out of all three days combined, the privateer Ducati effort by the Team Effenbert - Liberty Racing team took the top time with Jakub Smrz at the controls. Smrz set the time of 1:43.503 on Wednesday, and his Czech-based Ducati team was not touched since.
The other Castrol Honda rider, Jonathan Rea, was second fastest overall, followed by rookie Yamaha WSBK Team rider Eugene Laverty. And just as in day one, four different manufacturers controlled the top four overall times; in fourth was Tom Sykes aboard the Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R.
Rounding out the top five was Althea Racing Ducati rider Carlos Checa. The reigning World Superbike Champion, Max Biaggi, was sixth fastest overall aboard the Alitalia Aprilia. He only participated in the test on the first day.
The next and final pre-season test will occur at Phillip Island, Australia, on Feb. 21 and 22. The first race of the 2011 World Superbike season will be at Phillip Island on Feb. 27.
2011 Portimao World Superbike Test - Day 3 (Fri) Combined Times
1. 111 Xaus R. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'47.065
2. 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'48.267
3. 41 Haga N. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'53.414
4. 58 Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 1'54.130
5. 33 Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'54.348
6. 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'54.516
7. 121 Berger M. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'55.633
8. 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'56.276
9. 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'56.328
10. 17 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'56.361
11. 4 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'56.378
12. 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'56.571
13. 86 Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 1'57.759
14. 52 Toseland J. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 1'58.234
15. 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'58.703
2011 Portimao World Superbike Test: Combined Times (Wed/Thu/Fri)
1. 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'43.503
2. 4 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'43.676
3. 58 Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.707
4. 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'43.770
5. 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'43.789
6. 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'43.840
7. 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'43.879
8. 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'44.369
9. 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'44.446
10. 17 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'44.752
11. 52 Toseland J. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 1'44.764
12. 41 Haga N. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'44.857
13. 111 Xaus R. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.885
14. 121 Berger M. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'44.886
15. 33 Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'45.461
16. 86 Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 1'45.678
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