Aprilia SL 750 Shiver 2016 — Specifications

It’s not easy for the Shiver to assert its arguments against competition that has been well renewed. The SL 750 has good arguments to make, but the latest evolution dates back to 2010 - the adoption of petal brake discs, a different handlebar, the removal of the beautiful footpeg plates for more conventional elements (the rear ones are ugly), redesigned tank scoops, a slightly sportier ergonomics, a seat lowered by 5 mm, and the grafting of a small, racing-style fork that dresses the optical unit.

There aren’t many 750 twin roadsters on the market. Ducati tried it with its 750 Monster... with mixed success. With the 821 Monster, the story is completely different. The 750 Shiver needs to advance serious arguments to find its place among the stars that are the Suzuki 750 GSR, Triumph 675 Street Triple, MV-Agusta 675 and 800 Brutale, Yamaha MT-09, and omnipresent Kawasaki Z.

The first, very important technical criterion is the engine. It is crucial in this category for an engine to be rich in sensations or to have enough power to have fun while ensuring performance. With its very compact 90° twin, the Shiver promises us both. The bicylinder is equipped with all modern technology (double ignition, double ACT, multi-valves, liquid cooling, super reduced size, super-square dimensions, a chain and gear distribution), and even throttle control. Surprising on this type of machine at its launch, and certainly a more appreciable plus when it comes to exploiting the full potential of this engine.

Knowing that an SV 650 produces 76 horsepower and a Monster 796 sent 87 horses, you might have thought that the 75.5 of the Shiver would offer you around 80-85 horsepower. Wrong! Aprilia defends its qualities as an engine manufacturer here with a superb 95 horsepower. Think about it, that’s almost as many watts as an old Ducati 748; and with 8.25 mkg, this berlingot is better supplied with torque than the late 749... and most of the 750s on the market. Here is a choice competitor for the Z 800, especially since its chassis seems up to the pretensions of its engine.

The rolling chassis of modern roadsters have definitively nothing to envy those of hypersports. 15 years ago, the number of motorcycles equipped with an inverted fork was barely higher than the number of points on the driver's license. As for radial-mount brake calipers, you only saw them in 500 GP. Today, all sportbikes have this equipment; and the trend has seized almost all roadsters. The 750 Shiver is part of this clan. Its chassis is designed to offer more than just very good performance: inverted fork and radial calipers (as mentioned above), tubular section frame connected to aluminum plates, reinforced swingarm... It looks good.

It is better for Aprilia that the Shiver's performance is without a false note, because the uncompromising aesthetics of this roadster makes our mouths water. You can feel that it was worked on in the design offices. Compact, scarab-like gaze, sculpted hips, stylized haunches with exhausts escaped from Doom, the Shiver has not chosen to be wise. That’s a good thing - with this kind of engine, we don’t want to be.

M.B - photos manufacturer