bark with torque delivered smoothly, but really
hitting the spike between 5000 and 9200rpm.
The Shiver runs the same 896cc power plant
but has slightly differing gearing at the front
cog. There is no snatchiness, or feeling of
impending death as one hits the shift lights on
top of the TFT display. Mine were set at 9500,
which I felt was a bit late for the best delivery
and I reset it to 9200. Given that I spent the
weekend on this bike with a couple of rides,
Saturday alone and Sunday with a well known
head of an Italian Motorcycle Owners Club, I
clocked up around 350km. Touring-wise, you
are going to need to keep an eye on it with
gas stations, as the tank apparently holds
twelve litres but I saw the fuel light come on
three times over the course of two days.
Given the fun factor, the high centre of
gravity, the tiny tank, the hard seat, and the
sporty nature of the ride, who is this bike for?
I’m no marketer, and fortunately that is not my
problem, but if I were to make a guess I’d say
this bike will please and surprise almost all who
throw their leg over the admittedly high seat.
As a racer there are faster machines and
better configurations; as an adventure bike?
– no, just no, it behaves like a cat in water
on the scrabbly stuff; as a daily commuter,
exceptional traffic vis’ and good lane splitting;
as a tourer, good luck with finding how to
configure it with luggage, the tank is non-
metallic and panniers would be massive off
that rear landing deck. So who is it for?
Personally I believe anyone who has owned
a dirt bike, and wants the ability to do pretty
much anything they want in one total bike
package. Yes, you can get out and mix it
up in the street without shame, you could
roll over glorious scenic roads to distant
lunch venues, zap off on a weekender (if
you have a better back than mine) and you
could do some tolerable times on the track
should that take your fancy. Mostly, if you’re
going to blat around town, zap out to the
beaches, or join mates for a run you are
going to be very happily engaged indeed.
I started by saying I never met an
Aprilia I didn’t like. And that 100%
rock solid record continues.
60KIWI RIDER