APRILIA SHIVER 750 (2007 - 2009) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £220 |
Power: | 95 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (31.9 in / 810 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (417 lbs / 189 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Aprilia Shiver is the first Aprilia to be created from a clean sheet of paper since cash-rich Piaggio took to the helm, and on the basis of our test it’s a good-un. The Aprilia Shiver is one of a new breed of Aprilia motorcycles that’s going to plug the huge gap in their range between the RS125 and RSV1000R (aside from the Pegaso trailie), and best of all it’ll be less than six grand when it hits showrooms at the end of June. The Aprilia Shiver has been designed to take on the big hitters of the middleweight motorcycle world, like the Honda Hornet and Ducati Monster S2R.
Watch the Aprilia Shiver take on Suzuki's SV650, the BMW F800S and the Triumph Street Triple
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineA middleweight needs to be comfortable enough for everyday commuting and decent handling for weekends out playing, and the Aprilia Shiver delivers on both counts. The riding position is spacious and natural and the seat comfy and of course, being built by a manufacturer used to winning races the Aprilia Shiver goes around corners pretty well too.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Aprilia Shiver’s all-new fuel-injected 749.9cc V-twin motor is impeccably smooth all the way through the rev-range, is punchy at low revs and has delivers a fair kick when you work it. The Aprilia Shiver’s real party piece is its fly-by-wire throttle, just like Rossi’s or Bayliss’s motorcycles. A black box decides how far to open the throttle butterflies when you get on the gas, which gives the Shiver greater performance and fewer emissions than a conventional fuel injection system.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueAprilia’s build quality easily rivals the best from Japan nowadays and our review of the Aprilia Shiver is evidence of that, with its nicely made tubular steel/cast aluminium mix frame, cast aluminium braced swingarm and luscious paintwork. Engine-wise Aprilias are very strong too; the only past Aprilia hiccup has been problems getting hold of spares, which the factory are working hard to rectify.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentAn Aprilia for less than six grand is big news, especially as the Italian firm is usually synonymous with producing high end, top quality performance products like the Mille superbike. The Aprilia Shiver is a genuine, fresh, high performing alternative to the Honda Hornets of the world. Find an Aprilia Shiver for sale.
Equipment
Aside from the fly-by-wire throttle system the stylish Aprilia Shiver comes with decent cycle parts like super-powerful radial Brembo brakes, quality front and rear suspension, and an LCD multi-functional display. Compare and buy parts for the Aprilia Shiver in the MCN Shop.
Specs |
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Engine size | 749cc |
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Engine type | 8-valve V-twin, 6 gears |
Frame type | Tubular steel trellis/cast aluminium |
Fuel capacity | 15 litres |
Seat height | 810mm |
Bike weight | 189kg |
Front suspension | None |
Rear suspension | Preload, rebound |
Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs, 4-piston calipers |
Rear brake | 245mm disc, single piston caliper |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 180/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 40 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | £220 |
New price | - |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
15 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 95 bhp |
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Max torque | 60 ft-lb |
Top speed | 130 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | 11.06 secs |
Tank range | 150 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2007 – Aprilia Shiver introduced.
Other versions
Aprilia Shiver GT - The grand touring version of the Shiver gets a useful half-fairing with cubby holes for you phone, earplugs etc and a 12v cigarette lighter socket to power your gadgets.
Owners' reviews for the APRILIA SHIVER 750 (2007 - 2009)
14 owners have reviewed their APRILIA SHIVER 750 (2007 - 2009) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your APRILIA SHIVER 750 (2007 - 2009)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £220 |
Version: GT ABS
Year: 2009
Annual servicing cost: £150
I really like the bike. Solo touring is a doddle. Brakes, suspension good enough for me and riding position excellent if you have back issues like me. Worst part is the low speed fuelling whis is dreadful. Avoid 30mph areas like the plague.
Front brakes good rear brake hopeless. Ive had other Italian bikes similar. Ride quality okay for me but seat is like concrete so I bought another to get new foam/non slip cover. I can only do 100 miles before needing to stretch my legs regardless of bike and the Shiver is no different. Used to take my son pillion when he was younger but only short trips. Underseat exhaust vibration main problem.
Enough power for me. Sits at 70 comfy and 80 in Europe.
Had the bike over 10 years with no issues. Paint starting to come off barrels but it was ridden in winter before I got it so not really a fault.
Do minor servicing myself and had major service work at Frasers of Gloucester and Aprilia performance at Tamworth. Both recommended.
I've got Aprilia tank bag, tail bag and pannier frames with throw over type panniers adapted to bolt on rack. Enough luggage space for several 2 week trips to Italy. Accessory socket useful for phone/sat nav Fender extender on front which I bought from Greece as it is longer than others Rear hugger fitted. I find the fairing works well although aftermarket screens don't appear to be available
Buying experience: Bought privately no issues. Genuine seller and a decent bloke. I paid £3,000 in 2012 for a 3 year old bike which was nearly £7,000 new which I couldn't afford so I got what I believe to be a great bike for a really good price including Aprilia luggage. I tend to keep bikes a long time and have others in the stable. I am fortunate to be able to pick a bike for different journeys
Version: SL
Year: 2008
Annual servicing cost: £300
Wire by ride
The engine works perfectly at revs from 4500 to 10.000 Under 4500 rev is not so smoothy but is very reliable.
getting spares are very expensive for example a fuel pomp is about 500 euros/dollars, or a lambda O2 sensor is 130 euros/dollars.
The wire by ride, frame, and engine brake are my ever favourite features on this bike.
Buying experience: I buy from a dealer at price of 2600 euro
Year: 2009
Lively sporty v twin with good grunt, yet smooth enough for distance work.
Good enough to be great fun at any speed but really they could do an 'R' version with Ohlins. That would be impressive
Brilliant fun between 2,500 and 8,500 Smooth and punchy at the bottom then rev crazy as it rises Fun when you are flat out and still fun when you have to be more sensible
Just keeps on going. Quality of build is better than Suzuki or Triumph but not up to KTM and Honda. Controls are light and accurate.
50 to the gallon when thrashed and 12,000 mile main services. It is so much fun per £
Saddle is brilliant firm yet comfortable with a nice step holding you tight as you cane it :)
Buying experience: From a dealer, Speedo had been changed so 5000 older than they knew. Sold as 2012 but it was a late registered 09! Convenient purchase but £800 more than it was worth.
If you are having trouble with the fueling put it in T mode it makes it ooh so smooth and it seems to do more mpg but for those who want instant go stick to S mode. I have experienced a few bikes and feel the Shiver is a great all rounder and I love that V twin buzz it's a bike with real style... It's good for 130mph (on track of course).
I couldt help but notice most of the people who ride this bike claim to only get 80-90mph out of it ? I have the 2007 shiver, I have it modified with gold wheels, custom seat(lowered as im short) iv lowered the front works by a quarter inch and i have a carbon fibre rear hugger. Anyways to the point at hand, due to my age i had to have it restricted to 33bhp for 2 years. I have still managed to get 110mph out of it at a pus, It will easily do 100mph and will sit comofrtably at 70-90mph on the bendy's. Generally im so happy i got this bike, my only issue was my started motor died due to a problem with the switch gear to which aprilia refused 2 replace it even tho its a known problem with the early shivers. So i had to fork out the money.
Adding to my review below, iVe been riding the bike for a few weeks now...The good: handling is spot on, very nice ride even for my heavy frame! The acceleration when riding fast is superb, low down grunt and the noise from the twin pipes is gorgeous..u get burble on the over run, even with standard cans... The bad: this is was ruined it for me... The fly by wire throttle seems to be sensitive and I found it a pain to ride in traffic..this type of bike should be ideal for commuting, but, the bike was lurching when kept on a 1/4 open throttle and from 1k to 5k of revs...slow riding becomes uncomfortable and hard word, as the bike lurches back and forth and this happens as u filter making the experience very worrying and unpredictable. The dealer had the bike back twice and was advised that's just how they are... Not impressed... Can keep your fly by wire! This small percentage of the problem ruins what could of been a peach of a bike
Purchased an 08 model with around 1k miles on it. Previous bike was a gsxr1000 but wanted something more practical! First impressions. Comfortable I'm 6ft and it's good even after 100 miles non stop..less weight on my wrists! Riding it has helped me to enjoy ridiculous again, I realise the gixxer was too much power, whereas the shiver delivers the power low down where u need it... Seems to be a bit hard to ride between 3 and 4k of revs..very jerky when riding at just 1/4 throttle at these revs, going back to the shop next week to see if it's prob with the bike or how I'm riding it!! Only thing that's spolit the ride so far!!
Shiver was sold to me as having top speed of 130mph. In real world, at full throttle on open road I only got a little over 80mph out of mine! I only weigh 12 stone so thats not the reason! Great around town, nimble, great 0-50mph! Did anyone else have the same issue or did I just get a bad bike???
2009 ABS model 1000 miles so far and loved eveyone
very unreliable. In the first week from brand new Feb 2008 I noticed false neutrals and glitchy fuelling. Then the red warning light appeared and 'service' word appeared so it went back to the dealers. They improved the fuelling and fixed the fault but wouldn't touch the gearbox. Then it broke down again, not going above 3000 revs. It was recovered and the electrical fault fixed. Then two months later this recurred and it was recovered and fixed again. Two months or so later it had problems starting then stalled and wouldn't restart. I bump-started it and got it home to be recovered again. The starter button had stuck and burnt out the motor. Then the front right disc started binding, although this freed itself. Now the pillion footrest vibrates down to horizantal when the engine is running, the speedo occassionally steams up, and I am still getting false neutrals. Yesterday coming back from Paignton I got the same fault damifogg mentions below so it is going back to the dealers tomorrow. If this is the 'Italian Honda' I wish I had bought a real one. In fact I wish I had kept my Fazer, 3 years, 22000 miles and 100% reliable.
My first bike and it has been absolutely fantastic... when it's worked. I may have just been unlucky, but I've had several issues with the electrics (the digital speedo told me I was doing 140mph at a set of lights and 0mph on the motorway), and over the weekend after only 3000 miles the starter motor has managed to fall off and bugger the bike. The local dealer has been absolutely useless, a year later I'm still waiting for the free bike luggage that was meant to come with the bike, and repairs have taken a long time with 50cc scooters as replacements while it's off the road. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this bike and think it looks amazing and handles fantastically, but I now have no confidence in the bike and will be getting shut of it as soon as I can.
My first big bike and what a fantastic machine. powerful enough to build confidence, fun through the twisties, love it. into sport mode and it wants to take off. far more fun than the hornet and 696
Just had one yesterday for a short test ride on small and meandering roads, and it was brilliant. More on my personal page at http://wolfgang.lonien.de/?p=663 cheers, wjl
Ive had the bike for a few weeks now and with the first service comes a new fuel map giving you 3 settings rain, touring and sport. Forget the other 2 the sport setting will have your arms out of their sockets. All the reviews to date will have been in run-in without the new fuel mapping and believe me this is a huge difference that if measured against the impressive Street Triple will probably match it for speed and torque. Major complaints are trivial and I gather are being rectified such as lousy pillion grips and some glitches with the display and fly by wire throttle - I have had very little problem so far. The bike is great for city or long runs and handles beautifully.