Aprilia Shiver 900

Where does the Shiver 900 come from?

The Shiver story began in 2007 with the 750, which made history as one of the first production motorcycles with ride-by-wire throttle — a technology Aprilia had pioneered in MotoGP with the ill-fated Cube project in 2002, beating Honda and Yamaha to the punch. Despite its qualities, the Shiver 750 never quite broke through against the MT, Z and Monster competition. In 2017, Aprilia rolled the dice again: displacement grew to 896 cc through an 11 mm longer stroke, electronics were upgraded, and the instrument cluster gained a handsome colour TFT display.

What’s the engine like?

The Shiver 900’s 90-degree V-twin doesn’t play the outright power game. At 95 hp, it trails an MT-09 (115 hp) or Z900 (125 hp) by a significant margin. But that’s missing the point entirely. This engine’s trump card is torque: 90 Nm available from just 6,500 rpm, delivering a strong and linear mid-range surge that makes real-world riding genuinely enjoyable. The ride-by-wire system has been dramatically refined from the 750, and throttle response is now precise and natural across all three modes (Sport, Touring, Rain).

The soundtrack is a genuine highlight: the V-twin rumbles beneath the seat with a deep, distinctive Italian note that sets it apart from any inline four. Vibrations are present but never unpleasant — they add life and character. There’s no slipper clutch, but Aprilia reduced lever effort by 15% compared to the 750, which makes city riding noticeably easier.

How does it handle?

The Shiver’s chassis is a clever combination of a steel tubular trellis bolted to aluminium side plates, paired with an aluminium swingarm. It’s not the lightest solution at 218 kg wet, but it’s rigid and precise. The 41 mm Kayaba USD fork and Sachs rear monoshock offer preload and rebound adjustment — impressive kit at this price point.

Fair warning, though: multiple testers and owners report that the suspension, in factory settings, leaves the bike feeling somewhat flat and lazy. A simple tweak to the rear preload to shift some weight forward often transforms the handling completely. Once properly set up, the Shiver reveals a precise, communicative chassis through fast corners. The front end inspires confidence, and the bike holds its line well even when you push the pace on a favourite stretch of twisties.

Braking hardware is solid: twin 320 mm floating discs with radial four-piston calipers up front, backed by Continental two-channel ABS. Progressive and effective for road use, with enough bite to haul things down confidently from speed. The ABS can be deactivated if you’re feeling adventurous, though for road riding there’s no good reason to do so.

What about town riding?

The 810 mm seat height is confidence-inspiring for average-sized riders. The tank is narrow between the knees, making it easy to put feet down at traffic lights and grip the tank through corners. The low-down torque and Touring mode make urban commuting pleasant, though the 218 kg weight makes itself known during slow-speed manoeuvres.

Who is it for?

The Shiver 900 is an excellent choice for A2 licence holders who want a bike with genuine character and personality. Its 95 hp output keeps it within A2 limits (restricted to 35 kW), and it remains thoroughly capable once you move to a full licence. It also suits riders who are tired of mainstream Japanese fours and want something different, with real V-twin soul.

Its secret weapon is value: for the asking price, you get a TFT display, ride-by-wire, traction control, ABS and quality suspension components. That’s hard to beat.

What are the downsides?

Let’s be honest: the Shiver 900 isn’t perfect. The power deficit is noticeable against rivals, particularly on motorways and during overtakes. Where an MT-09 or Z900 pulls hard through the intermediate gears, the Shiver needs a bit more planning. The suspension needs careful setup to perform at its best — a point raised by virtually every press tester and long-term owner. Aprilia’s dealer network is thinner than Yamaha or Kawasaki’s, which can complicate servicing in some areas.

Real-world fuel consumption (around 5.5-6.2 L/100 km in mixed riding) is somewhat thirsty for the displacement, and combined with the modest 15-litre tank, range can feel tight for longer rides. Plan on more frequent fuel stops than you’d make on a comparable Japanese naked.

The bottom line

The Aprilia Shiver 900 is a bike that grows on you with every mile. It won’t win any group test on outright power, but it seduces with character, value and that indefinable Italian touch. If you’re looking for an A2-compliant roadster that stands out from the crowd without breaking the bank, put it at the top of your test ride list.