A factory insider has confirmed the imminent release of both the SMV1200 Dorsoduro supermoto and SL1200 Shiver naked motorcycles. It’s not known in which bike Aprilia’s new 1200cc v-twin will first appear, especially since the company's next range-topping superbike, the RSV 4, will feature a new 1000cc, 200bhp V4. Regardless, at least one bike featuring Aprilia’s new v-twin will go on sale next year.

No other major modifications will be made to either bike to accommodate the larger engine, as both were developed to accept it from the beginning.

The larger engine (both currently use a 750cc v-twin), first seen in the FV1200 concept bike, is good news for the Dorsoduro, which has come under some criticism for its weight and lack of engine capacity. At 186kg dry, the Aprilia is 10kg heavier than its nearest rival, the Ducati Hypermotard, while carrying a 350cc smaller engine. With 1200cc, the new engine goes some way to addressing that gap, at least with power if not lightness.

News of this engine’s 2009 arrival in showrooms raises an interesting quandary in regards to Aprilia’s line up. There’s a possibility the RSV 4 could be a high dollar homologation special, leaving room for a new 1200cc v-twin RSV Mille and Factory.