Aprilia Shiver (aka attn: Hitcher) or opinions on a bike that loves torque?

[zeocen]

So, what do you all think?
I would be quite serious about one if I hadn't read Hitcher's comments on the appauling efforts by [insert bad company name here] regarding support.

Is it still that bad? I notice there's a price drop to around $13,995 - that seems like a pretty good price for such a bike? I do notice the front forks aren't adjustable, I'm assuming they're still a cut above a few others in that similar price bracket for the road?

Quite interested in the price drop though, it seems quite substantial, especially in a market where the other bikes are heading in the opposite direction!

ALSO;

If the support for Aprilia is still in the gutter, what are my other options for around that price range for a torque focused bike? I love my Hornet's torque, I commute 5 days a week and I thrive on it - though I'm looking for something a bit neater in the suspension/chassis department, however I'm not exactly fussed if I have to stay with it - there really isn't anything starkingly wrong with the Hornet. I just feel like a bit of a change.

[R6_kid]

TRX850 if you want to go 'budget' (last made 2000) otherwise the BMW F800S, or F800R if you like nekkid.

Or maybe a Harley Davidson 883 Iron, or if you want to be a bit more of man, a Nightster 1600.

Also Ducati S2R 800, or if you want to go brand new the Ducati 696.

[blackdog]

690 duke. no question. 70hp and 52 lb-ft of wheelie mentalness
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20B/KTM%20Duke%20690%20R%2010.jpg
oh yea, and it weighs less than 150kg!

[zeocen]

I love how little weight it has, but I have just never seen single cyl bikes reliable for any considerable length of time (not to mention it will have to accomodate a rather hefty topbox on the back). Thanks R6_Kid, some good suggestions, I'm more into the naked sport style rather than anything else, but if there is a faired bike worthy of torque I might consider the switch back.

[98tls]

See if you can find an 1125 Buell,if theres any left there the bargain of the century.Theve more torque in there toolkit than the Hornet has full stop.

[blackdog]

I love how little weight it has, but I have just never seen single cyl bikes reliable for any considerable length of time

plenty of guys here have got 80+km lc4's still going strong, however,

it's easy then......super duke!

[Hitcher]

Is it still that bad? I notice there's a price drop to around $13,995 - that seems like a pretty good price for such a bike? I do notice the front forks aren't adjustable, I'm assuming they're still a cut above a few others in that similar price bracket for the road?

The Shivers that are currently being offered at $13,995 are the remnants of the 2008 models imported by the previous distributor and currently unsold. These are characterised by a gold trellis chassis. These are the ones that have problems with condensation in the instrument binnacles and also with the speed sensors. You may get a good one, but I wouldn't risk it, given the complete lack of interest the New Zealand distributor has in remedying these issues. Don't expect your Aprilia retailer to know anything about this, even though it has all been extensively documented on www.serviceaprilia.com, including the preemptive strategies for dealing with potential speed sensor problems.

You could ask your dealer to wipe a couple of thousand off the price in return for waiving the two-year warranty (which is actually largely worthless in New Zealand anyway, thanks to Triumph New Zealand Ltd). Then if anything breaks you can get the parts you need delivered to your door within a week from Ed at AF1 in Texas.

Later models have these issues sorted. But you may have to pay a bit more to get one of those.

The Shiver is a great bike. Despite the best efforts of Triumph New Zealand Ltd to completely ignore supporting the Italian products they import, I still love mine to bits.

Don't worry about the lack of adjustment on the front shocks. They're good quality Showas. If you want adjustment, then the front shocks out of a Dorsoduro will drop straight in, as will those from a Tuono.

The ZF Sachs rear shock is more of an issue, due to lack of rear rebound damping. This makes the Shiver very discerning about what tyres it likes and those it doesn't. My rear Sachs is, after 37,000km, getting a bit tired. I suspect Robert Taylor will be ministering to it soon.

[Urano]

the shiver is a good bike.
here it hasn't broken hearts, but italians rarely appreciate intelligent bikes...
on the other hand aprilia service has never been so "cheerful" here as well (i remember hard times with my still beloved af1 futura 125, 15 years ago...), so it don't surprise me at all reading your problems....
i'd have thought on it if i could stand with naked, then decided for the er6.
it has a too much "seated" position to my taste and annoying problems with seat heating by the tail exhaust, but a sweet engine, and the 3 maps drive by wire is better than some say...
try it if you can.... :)

[Mountlocal1]

So the ones with the silver frame are the newer ones?

[Hitcher]

So the ones with the silver frame are the newer ones?

Yes, with the exception of 2008 models that have orange or navy blue paintwork.