First hitting the streets 10 years ago, the Dorsoduro has been a staple in Aprilia’s lineup for some time. With its highly agile character and powerful V-twin engine, the Dorsoduro satisfies even the more brazen thrill-seeking supermoto riders.

This year, the Dorsoduro receives several updates—from electronics to suspension—and a shiny new powerplant. The 2018 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 is ready to make short work of your commute, whip around your favorite canyon roads, or take on the local track.

The 2018 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900’s spools up with urgency, adding to the rambunctious nature of the entire package. Due to its relatively short gearing, its tractable engine builds power rapidly and predictably. With flawless fueling and throttle response, you’ll be hard pressed not to use the entire rev-range while romping around your favorite haunt.

The Dorsoduro received new fuel injectors to allow greater control over fueling. Internally, the piston received an anti-friction coating, as well as a decrease in its weight. A semi-dry crankcase with reed valves reduces power loss from oil sumps.

Also, the crank assembly was re-balanced and the stroke was increased to 67.4mm, though it is still decidedly oversquare. Even at the bitter end of the engines limits, it remains responsive and smooth. Equipped with three levels of traction control and two-channel Continental ABS, the Dorsoduro 900 does a commendable job of offering a helping hand. These updates are facilitated by the addition of the same Marelli ECU found in the top-spec RSV4 and Tuono.

There are three riding modes to choose from. The Sport and Touring modes have the same 95-horsepower output, with the Touring mode damping the throttle response. The Rain mode drops the bike down to 70 horses, and slows down the throttle response considerably.

The Dorsoduro gets semi-adjustable suspension this year. Although the 41mm KYB inverted fork and non-linkage Sachs shock have spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustments, they do lack the ability to alter the compression damping.

Fortunately, they are completely comfortable on roughed up urban roads—what we’d expect from a supermoto bike. Under hard braking, the 6.7-inch-travel fork holds its own, and the Sachs shock keeps the bike stable when hard on the gas during corner exits. Aggressive riders will most likely want to slow the rebound, as the chassis can get a little loose over big dips at high speed. For the average pilot, they’ll just be grinning through the canyons.

Braking power when you need it most. Using Aprilia-branded four-piston calipers, in conjunction withsteel-braided lines and dual 320mm rotors, you can expect more than adequate stopping power. Feel at the lever is positive, allowing for good modulation, especially when trail braking.

A TFT display keeps everything in sight. Now featuring a full color, TFT display, the Dorsoduro’s menu system is simple and easy to navigate. This is a huge leap above previous generations. The dash remains visible in direct sunlight and doesn’t distract.

The bottom line is that the 2018 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 is an absolute blast. With a nice refresh to the platform, the Dorsoduro offers an aggressive yet light-hearted experience.