Aprilia Shiver 900 in the test

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Aprilia Shiver 900 in the test
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Aprilia Shiver 900 in the test

Post-test with new tires

Aprilia’s newly launched mid-range Naked made a good impression in comparison – only the first tires of the Aprilia Shiver 900 caused a frown. Follow-up test with another tire.

D.he series tires for motorcycles in the low to medium price segment are often problematic. Due to the omnipresent cost pressure, older generation tires, so-called second or third line tires, are often used as original equipment – not always compared to more modern rubber, but often with less than optimal properties.

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Aprilia Shiver 900 in the test

Aprilia Shiver 900 in the test
Post-test with new tires


Johannes Muller

Original tires Dunlop Qualifier.

The Aprilia Shiver 900 is an impressive example of this, as the comparison test of the Euro Twins in issue 19/2107 revealed. The Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier mounted there provides more than sufficient grip when warm, but apart from that it clouded the performance of the Aprilia-Naked: thin wet grip, little feedback, clear erection moment. Above all, however, the qualifier gives the Shiver a somewhat bulky, hip-stiff turning behavior from medium lean angles, which is actually not known from the machines from Noale. To find the cause of this issue, it is worth taking a look at the sidewalls of the tire.

The qualifier inherently has a rather flat contour that is not necessarily conducive to handling. At the rear, Aprilia uses an unusually wide six-inch rim (instead of the 5.5-inch standard for 180 millimeters tire width), so that the already flat qualifier is more like a 50 mm cross-section (instead of the specified 55 percent) on the rim. According to the evidence, the cause for that unbalanced driving behavior from medium lean angles. What is remarkable is that this issue already occurred with the Shiver 750, when the model was upgraded to the narrower rear wheel rim – only to be able to use six inches again on the 900? Reason for a retest with alternative tires.

This is irrelevant for the point scoring because measurements and points are only measured with original tires for the sake of comparability. But important for prospective buyers, because in principle the Shiver 900 left a very positive impression.


Johannes Muller

Compared to the Dunlop Qualifier, the Pirelli Angel ST offers more homogeneous handling and significantly better running properties in cold and wet conditions.

Aprilia Germany chose the Pirelli Angel ST, which as a sporty touring rubber together with its closely related successor Angel GT is certainly a sensible option. Even the visual inspection suggests more homogeneous proportions, the Pirelli is visibly firmer on the rims. And in fact, the Shiver 900 drives much more pleasantly with this kind of tire change, now shows far more of that transparent, but above all neutral driving behavior, for which Aprilias are generally valued – especially in the conditions that currently prevail in this country. The Angel ST also requires a little operating temperature, but its window is much wider than that of the Dunlop, which looks downright petrified in the cold and does not inspire confidence on wet roads. With the broader Angel ST, the Shiver gains confidence and feedback in all weather conditions.

The Dunlop doesn’t cause any problems when turning in for the first time, and accordingly the Angel ST doesn’t have any advantages. After that, however, the Shiver 900 remains neutral longer with a different tire, does not block itself against further turning, as it did on the qualifier. The righting moment over bumps and when braking in an inclined position is also significantly lower. So a clear improvement. As the lean angle increases, however, the peculiarity that the motorcycle wants to turn less at the rear than at the front persists – albeit in a more moderate form. The Angel ST does not completely equalize the unfavorable rim width. In view of the low price of the Aprilia (around 9000 euros) this is complaining at a high level, the driving behavior is more than acceptable. For perfectionists, however, there would still be the option of converting the rear wheel to 190 tires. For example, Michelin approved the Shiver 750 with a six-inch rim.

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