All Tests – Introductions of the new Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro Factory – The Shiver is evolving … in the right direction!

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Baptisms of the new Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro Factory

All Tests - Introductions of the new Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro Factory - The Shiver is evolving ... in the right direction!

Aprilia presented two of its 2010 novelties in Nice: the new Shiver and the Factory version of its Dorsoduro, which share the same 750 cc V-Twin. Unfortunately, the rain spoiled tests that promised to be convincing. Immersion…

The Shiver is evolving … in the right direction !

By switching to the handlebars of the Shiver "2010 version", we note a radical change: the roadster is much more accessible than the Dorsoduro Factory. And the remark remains valid by comparing this new Shiver to the first version because the saddle seems much lower….

The technical sheet does however report a decrease in the saddle height of a single small centimeter (from 810 to 800 mm) but at the same time, there is a reduction in its width of 2 inches, or about 5 cm.

Once tested, the difference is obvious: small riders will be much more comfortable while bikers with long legs will regret having to bend their knees a little more … Despite everything, this new position should appeal to the greatest number of people..

Secondly, when grasping the handlebars, we notice that the latter induces a driving position that leans more forward. The footrests have been moved back as a result: would the Shiver be sportier? ?

In reality, the question does not really need to be: only a poor observer will not have noticed the new two-tone colors "100% Aprilia Racing" and the black and red color of the frame replacing advantageously the too dull gray. of the 2009 model !

There is also no need to be an eminent specialist in the Noale brand to note the presence of new "petal" brake discs – front and rear, please – and a new, more dynamic trim, in particular at the optical unit..

Under a heavy rain, the first turns of the wheel on the Shiver are carried out quietly: for the moment it is impossible to test the new swingarm "more rigid in order to make the behavior of the motorcycle less blurry in fast curves and to eliminate movements during acceleration"…

On the other hand, we notice that during heavy braking, the fork of the 2010 Shiver plunges less quickly and less deeply than that of the old model. "Indeed, it has been completely revised from the inside, at the level of the hydraulics as of the spring since it goes hand in hand", confirms Aprilia.

It is therefore impossible to test the behavior of the front axle – like that of the rear axle – in a series of small tight turns or large open curves. The rhythm maintained by the Aprilia pilot at the head of the procession may be removed, everything must be done smoothly.

Update not possible

Aprilia plays the high-tech card to the full with its Shiver: modular aluminum frame, inverted 43 mm fork, radial fixing brake calipers, "petal" discs, but above all Ride-by-Wire technology and triple engine mapping! We would therefore tend to think that by plugging in his 1st generation Shiver via USB – Bluetooth, wifi? … – at the Aprilia site, the owner can download the latest developments in engine management, which have been significantly improved in 2010. Nay, "the maps are different, therefore the 2010 settings cannot be applied to previous models", warns the Aprilia staff..

But this "cast" style is good: we can attest to the progress made in the management of the Ride-by-Wire system! "We have improved, perfected and refined it on the basis of what was done on the RSV4, particularly in terms of jerks during acceleration", Aprilia explained to us before letting us ride the beast.

However, it is clear that from now on, the "handle – rear wheel" connection is direct and without interference! As on the Dorsoduro Factory tested previously, the T mode (for "Touring") is by far the most pleasant to use: the times can be soft or more muscular as desired..

The S mode (for "Sport", it’s starting to come in!) Is more brutal. But it would be inappropriate to criticize this "suddenness": it offers the Shiver the "wild" side that the Site testers reproached it for not having in its 2008-2009 version !

Throttle management then requires precision and running on a trickle of gas is no easy task … This mode should appeal to thrill seekers while the R mode (for "Rhaa-fait-shier-la rain ") is its perfect opposite: the motor becomes soft as a lamb, regardless of the rotation of the right handle.

Very reassuring also, the ABS which equipped our Shiver proved to be pleasant to use because it was devoid of unpleasant jerks in the fingers or in the toes. On the other hand, the 2-way system developed by Continental has shown its limits on poorly maintained roads: braking can become irregular and seem a bit long. But what biker, even a seasoned one, would do better in such conditions ?!

On expressway (130 km / h counter at 5,750 rpm), the Shiver behaves remarkably well and the pilot is quickly put in confidence: even in the rain, the coarse highway connections and the imperfections of the secondary network are serenely absorbed.

Only white stripes or makeshift repairs to the bitumen can damage the grip of Dunlop Qualifiers originally fitted to the Shiver and Dorsoduro, but the tires catch up as soon as they return to the asphalt. "Depending on arrivals, the Dorsoduro Factory can also be fitted with Pirelli Corsa III and the Shiver also has one or two additional mounts.", specifies Aprilia France.

Still on the tire side, we note that the width of the rear rim has been reduced by half an inch (5.5 instead of 6 previously) while the tire remains a 180: the latter, a little more pinched, should increase the length of the tire. agility of the rear axle but the circumstances of this first test were not appropriate to check it correctly…

The lack of vibration at the footrests, however, was quite palpable. Good news therefore, which counterbalances the disappointment of seeing the beautiful footrest plate that fitted the previous Shiver disappear..

Other points remain unchanged: the dashboard is still as readable and would be quite complete if it offered a fuel gauge, very useful on a roadster. Likewise, we regret that only the Dorsoduro benefits from the warning to circulate in traffic.

After this too limited first test, we can still conclude that the 2010 Shiver is moving in the right direction. More accessible, at the same time more sporty – this remains to be verified in the dry for the cycle part, but for the look it’s all good – and more docile: French bikers have no more excuses not to try !

Then, they are free to pay the 7,799 € for the standard version or the 8,399 € for the ABS version. With the 600 € of "rebate on takeover", the deal becomes really attractive. To try … in the dry !

Matthieu BRETILLE – Photos Fabrice LHÉRITIER and Gerard DELIO

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