The Aprilia Shiver Series Is Back
The Aprilia Shiver Series is back – for the better, with the 2018 Aprilia Shiver 900.
Boasting a 896 cc 90-degree V twin, coupled with a 95 peak horsepower at 8750rpm and peak torque of 66ft/lbs at 6,600rpm, the Aprilia Shiver 900 is undoubtedly the new and improved version of its predecessors. This bike has increased in fuel tank capacity as compared to its sibling, the Dorsoduro 900.
Visually, the Aprilia Shiver 900 possesses an eye-appealing black and red combination. It is lighter and equipped with Pirelli Angel ST tires – 120/70 front and 180/55 rear, if you are concerned about the distance travelled. A new piston coating has been utilized to reduce the amount of friction generated. Notable other modifications include the throttle, injector system, and transmission.
In regards to the comfort level of driving on the roads, not to worry. The foot rests on the Shiver 900 are higher as compared to the Dorsoduro 900. It also features a 32-inch seat height. These are welcome additions as it provide the rider with a forward-leaning posture on the road. There isn’t much strain of the legs and in fact, an excellent chassis structure is a trademark of the Aprilia Shiver series. This bike is learner friendly – new riders who have just obtained their license can look forward to smooth and comfortable riding, and precise throttle. How is this so? As mentioned previously, Aprilia has improved the fuel injectors and piston coating, and these boosts the rideability of the bike.
Braking power for the bike is effective as well. Despite the originally weak initial response, the pads warm up after consistent usage as pressure is constantly applied. It also performs well when riding in different terrains, regardless if the place of interest are winding roads in the villages or flat asphalt roads in an urban environment. The bike features a dual-channel Continental ABS. The front brake consists of 2x 320mm discs, along with Aprilia’s branded radial 4-pot calipers. The rear brake consists of a 240mm disc.
Since Aprilia Shiver 900’s inception in 2007, it was a breakthrough as it was the very first factory bike to be equipped with Ride-by-wire technology. Ride-by-wire means the absence of linkage between the throttle and the accelerator. As the throttle twists, the throttle cable switches a transponder on, thus converting the throttle movement into electrical signals which are sent to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). The ECU then actuates the fuel injector to release fuel. The bike also utilizes a Magneti Marelli 7SM ECU.
There are three riding modes available for the bike: Sport, Touring and Rain. In a similar vein, there are three levels of traction control settings: Level 1 for travelling at high speeds, Level 2 for casual riding, and Level 3 is used during rain.
One potential drawback of the Aprilia Shiver 900 are its constant vibrations which are felt on the handlebars. To rectify this, motorcycle bar ends can be used. Bar ends are used to reduce the frequency of the vibration being transferred through the engine. Not only do they help to make your ride smoother, they are aesthetically pleasing too! There are a myriad of different colours and shapes of bar ends to choose from.
In a nutshell, the Aprilia Shiver 900’s sophisticated electronics, enhanced engines, and improved ergonomics makes it an ideal choice among riders.
Source image: Aprilia website