QUIKSPIN: Shiver Sport – A shiver runs through it
I‘ve had a lot of love for the Shiver for years now, even though the first one I rode for AMCN tried to kill me. A malfunctioning sensor saw the ride-by-wire throttle suddenly revving as I was riding it – thankfully as I had the clutch in to change gear. I knew it was a freaky one-off accident and refused to hold it against the big silver beast because it just did everything so well.
Fast forward to now and I’ve been spending a bit of time with the newest Shiver – the Sport, also with ABS. It’s got adjustable engine maps – S for Sport, T for Touring and R for Rain – and they’re beaut at what they do. Riding it to and from work got a bit old in sport mode – that beautifully light ride-by-wire throttle was just too sensitive for slow-speed traffic shenanigans.
But bung it in Touring mode and it’s perfect. The mid-level engine map takes enough off the 750’s power delivery to cure it of all snatchiness without making it feel like it’s suddenly got a lawnmower engine in it. The Shiver’s slimness combined with those high, wide bars helps you slip through traffic with ease, and it has a very unique way of making a crappy old commute go off like a frog in a sock.
Thanks to Sydney’s beaut weather, I had a chance to ride the Shiver in the wet as well. Setting it in rain mode makes power delivery even weaker, so it all doesn’t go pear-shaped on the exit of a slimy, soaked corner. The engine felt very gentle and predictable in this mode, which is great in crusty weather.
But as soon as there’s open, twisty road in front of you, it’s time to pull over and switch over. You’ve gotta come to a stop to switch engine maps, which is a bit frustrating, but you get over it pretty quickly. Flip the Shiver into Sport mode and go for your life. You’re back to a full 69kW (92hp) of power which isn’t all that staggering, but the way it works in this package is just delightful.
It’s so easy to grace bends and the front suspension is a dream, dealing easily with whatever your state government reckons can be classified as a road these days. I felt just as confident picking my way along bumpy, potholed backroads as I did when everything was smooth and racetrackish.
Those big, fat 320mm brakes always stopped me like it was hammer time and they’re now even haltier thanks to the addition of ABS. That’s the way the world is heading and I guess it’s not a bad thing. The Shiver Sport’s ABS does an excellent job stopping you locking it all up and getting a face-full of road.
The ride position is great and very dirtbikey, except there’s no butt-hammering plankness to the seat and even after a 500km day involving a bit of mind-numbing highway work, I was only just starting to get a bit sore at the end of the run.
I knew Aprilia was onto a winner back then and this has just proved to me what a great idea the Shiver was... and still is. Very nice indeed.
ENGINE
Configuration 90? V-twin
Cylinder head DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Capacity 749.9cc
Bore/stroke 92 x 56.4mm
Compression ratio 11:1
Cooling Liquid
Fueling EFI, 2 x 52mm Marelli throttle bodies
Power 69kW @ 9000rpm (claimed)
Torque 81Nm @ 7000rpm (claimed)
TRANSMISSION
Type Six-speed
Clutch Wet
Final drive Chain
CHASSIS
Frame material Tubular steel/aluminium
Frame layout Trellis
Rake 25.7?
Trail 109mm
SUSPENSION
Sachs
Front: 43mm USD fork, non-adjustable, 120mm travel
Rear: Monoshock, adjustable preloadand rebound, 130mm travel
WHEELS/TYRES
Wheels Aluminium alloy
Front: 17 x 3.5 Rear: 17 x 6
Tyres Dunlop Sportmax
Front: 120/70ZR17 (58W)
Rear: 180/55ZR17 (73W)
BRAKES
Front: Twin 320mm discs, four-piston calipers
Rear: 240mm disc, single-piston caliper
Control: ABS
DIMENSIONS
Weight 189kg (dry, claimed)
Seat height 810mm
Max width 800mm
Max height 1135mm
Wheelbase 1440mm
Fuel capacity 15L
PERFORMANCE
Fuel consumption 5.3L/100km
Top speed 190km/h (est)
PROS
Lovely engine
Cornering king
Motardy feel
CONS
Gets a bit hot in traffic
Not many tie-down points
Nada!
