Aprilia Shiver owners

[boatdetective]

Hey there- so I went to the local dealer to test ride a V7. It was fun- but if I'm going to be honest, the best thing I can say about the power is..adequate.  I've been looking for a lighter companion for my 1200 S that would be more fun in and around town.  I've always been interested in Shivers. They have a 14 that is being sold for $6700 with the current rebates.

I test rode a Dorsoduro 750 (same engine). It was FUN! plenty of ponies and plenty of twist. I fit on the Shiver much easier (6'0", 32" inseam) than the v7.  The difference between the two bike was marked when going up a hill. The Dorso just wanted you to hammer the throttle. The V7 wheezed, then dutifully agreed.  The Tuono gets all the press, but you're talking scary power and a much bigger bike. I'm looking for something lighter and handier that will still give you a  kick in the pants.

My question is to the baby Ape owners out there. What is your long term report on the bike? Any known issues? regrets? mods?  How is maintenance? Any recommendations on forums for further input?   It seems that the sale price is pretty enticing.  Thank you for your insight.

Thank You!

[Caffeineo]

Check out the AF1 forum. http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?63-2008-2015-Shiver-SL750-Dorsoduro-750 Have had a 750 Dorsoduro and never had a problem. Currently the 1200 Dorsoduro is sitting in the garage waiting for me to change a sensor. From what I have read the Shiver is a bit faster than the 750 Dorsoduro. I thought the 750 DD was fast. Shiver should be a fun bike.

[NWrider]

Although I can't speak from personal experience, I've ridden a number of rides with a friend who has a Shiver.   It's a very nice bike with a great sound, performance and handling from my observation of his riding and his comments.  The last ride I was on with him on the Shiver was Hwy 191 from Safford, AZ to Springerville, AZ -- can't find a much better road to evaluate a bikes capabilities.  Good Luck with you quest.

[Buddy Shagmore]

I have a '13 Shiver, and previously had an '09 V7Classic. The Shiver is of course much more powerful, but heavier, and a bit top-heavy. The ride by wire is not my thing, but I've gotten used to it. I ride in the Tour mode, as Sport is way too twitchy. The stock suspension is just okay. The front Marzocchi is non adjustable, but changing the fork oil weight (10w on one side, 5w on the other) has helped. The rear Sachs shock didn't work out for me, as it felt like it was made for a much heavier rider. I had a Matris unit built to my riding weight (170), had it powder coated red, and this is a big improvement. I added an EvoTech radiator guard and tail tidy, otherwise mine is stock. I even kept the stock pipes, I think they sound great. But most owners swap them out for something lighter and louder. To me, loud pipes just beat you up, and cause fatigue. The stock seat is okay, I've had worse. What I like about the Shiver is it's looks, it's sound, and that fact that it makes good linear power, without being over-powered, like the Tuono. I don't want a bike with way more power than I can use. I like a bike that you can wring out, and the Shiver is thrilling in that manner. It has been reliable, no worries.

On the other hand, I miss the V7 a lot, and have considered getting another one as a stable mate. Yes it is down on power, but the fun factor is very high. And the V7 line is to me, the essence of motorcycling, with a near perfect combination of great character, looks, sound,
light weight, and the standard 70's ergos that seems so elusive nowadays.

Which brings up another point: Why can't Moto Guzzi make a "bigger V7"? I sat on a new BMW R1200R yesterday, and the ergos were perfect. Why can't MG built a bigger standard? The Griso has a way forward lean. I rode one, and my wrists were bothering me after 10 minutes. I sat on that BMW, and thought, "if only it had a Guzzi engine". Oh well. Maybe one day they will make it.

[flip]

I bought a used, 2008 Shiver last year. Due to some health issues, I haven't been riding it much.

I didn't have any maintenance history on the bike and it had whT seemed like some fueling issues so I took it to an Aprilia dealer for valve check/service and a map update.It turned out to have some sensors that were bad, one of which was replaced under warranty.

It still wasn't right when I got it so it went back to the dealership. The final problem turned out to be an O2 sensor that was just starting to go bad but wasn't showing bad. It was replaced and problems solved.

If I remember correctly, I ended up spending close to $1000 on the services. With the great deal I got on the bike originally, I am still ahead.

With the new map and stock exhaust and no fuel injection fooler, my Shiver runs great. The fueling is a bit touchy feeling compared to my Breva 1100 but I am fine with it and leave it in sport mode.

The rear shock sucks. I'm ovef 300 pounds it it feels harsh to me. I should be  crushing it down. A Nitron shock is at the top of my list.

The bike is very fun to ride. It has the best sounding stock exhaust I've ever heard. It just feels happy, like it's wants you to give it some more throttle and let's hit the next set of  curves a little faster.

I kinda hate all of the cool looking carbon fiber bodywork that is available for the bike. I have so far resisted, knowing that it doesn't do anything useful for the bike and the money should be spent on the suspension but dang the stuff looks cool.

[not-fishing]

I was looking at getting an Italian "city bike" and I did some research on the maintenance.

Aprilia Shiver 750 --- around 7 hrs shop time for valve maintenance.

Ducati Scrambler --- around 4 hrs shop time for valve maintenance.

Guzzi V7 --- around 1/2 hr in my garage for valve maintenance.

Maybe I'd go for a Duc but the Aprilias are just to much work for me.

I noticed a fella that has a Duc valve maintenance video on you tube keeps three bikes so that he only has to do the valves once a year on the Duc.  I put 12-15,000 miles per year on my bike so having an easier maintenance schedule is important to me.  I'm not one of those who are willing to spend $2,000 to $5,000 per year for shop maintenance.

[Caffeineo]

I bought my 750 Dorsoduro from Dave at Moto International and he told me they stopped checking the valves on them because they never found any that were out and they felt bad about charging for all the labor. 

[jas67]

...
Which brings up another point: Why can't Moto Guzzi make a "bigger V7"? I sat on a new BMW R1200R yesterday, and the ergos were perfect. Why can't MG built a bigger standard? The Griso has a way forward lean. I rode one, and my wrists were bothering me after 10 minutes. I sat on that BMW, and thought, "if only it had a Guzzi engine". Oh well. Maybe one day they will make it.

Guzzi used to make it, it was called the Breva 1100, and then the Sport 1200, though, you'd want to swap in a set of Mana handlebars to get the R1200R ergos.