First Look: 2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200

Rejoice, American supermoto fans: Aprilia will bring another big-bore, twin-cylinder sumo to our shores next year. Like Ducati's Hypermotard 1100, Aprilia's Dorsoduro 1200 is inspired by race-ready supermotos, complete with 17-inch wheels, sportbike rubber and big Brembo radial-mount brakes.

Though it looks almost identical to the current Dorsoduro 750 (which itself bears more than a passing resemblance to the Hypermotard), the 1200 uses a dedicated cast-aluminum/steel-trellis modular frame and an all-new, 1200cc, liquid-cooled V-twin-the largest capacity Aprilia powerplant yet. The oversquare, four-valve, DOHC engine is utterly conventional in design, but the claimed 130-bhp output at 8700 rpm should prove thoroughly entertaining on the street while handily waxing the Hyper's air-cooled, two-valve mill.

Though simple in both spirit and execution, the Dorsoduro 1200 will still offer high-tech gadgetry. Ride-by-wire throttle activation enables three power modes-Sport, Tour and Rain-while ABS as well as Aprilia's new ATC traction control will both be available options. Pricing has yet to be announced.