Aprilia Shiver 750cc - what does "aggressive" mean?

[kaz]

Hi there

I'm wondering if anyone can explain what "aggressive" means in relation to a bike.

I've finally sold my 250cc Gmax scooter (which I rode for 5 years in all weathers, everywhere) and am about to buy a bike. This year I've also riddenmy partner's Triumph Street Triple 675cc a bit so I know it's time for me to buy a bike.

The Street Triple is great in many respects except for two things: I don't like the riding position (I prefer something very upright) and I feel that an accidental tweak of the throttle could send me into hyperspace.

I am learning that this is not so much about engine size as things like horsepower and so on. Still learning this stuff.

Yesterday I tried a few different bikes - MV Augusta Brutale 800 (didn't like it, jerky unless you ride it hard out), a KTM Duke 690cc (brilliant fun, light and nimble, great riding position for me, but I think I'd find the vibration annoying on longer rides) and an Aprilia Shiver 750.

I just loved the Shiver - perfect riding position, handled nicely, powerful but I felt in control of that power, very comfortable, and sexy looking too.

But I was thrown when one guy told me he hated it and found it "far too aggressive". What does this mean? Is "aggressive" a bad thing? I felt just fine on it.

Any thoughts? thanks.

[Drew]

Wouldn't pay any attention to the guy. Aggressive can mean a lot of different things, to different people.

My K6 GSXR1000 superbike was aggressive. Motor tuned to within an inch of it's life, firm as hell, and not a race bike for the faint hearted.

I doubt too many people consider the Shiver too aggressive. It's an upright bike, without oodles of power, and it has nice neutral handling characteristics.

If you like it and feel comfy on it, just go for gold.

[Erelyes]

It means you have to get 'aggressive' with the guys fixing it, when it takes 6 months to get parts.

[Ocean1]

Aggressive? A Shiver?

Bollox, it's a pussycat, for general road use it's one of the most usefully tuned V twins of it's size on the market.

Just be aware that aftermarket service for Aprillia in NZ isn't all that it possibly could be.

[Drew]

Aggressive? A Shiver?

Bollox, it's a pussycat, for general road use it's one of the most usefully tuned V twins of it's size on the market.

Just be aware that aftermarket service for Aprillia in NZ isn't all that it possibly could be.

Once it's out of warranty, it's not much different to any other bike. Parts can be sourced from all over the show rather than just through the NZ agent.

[mossy1200]

Don't you buy no angry bike. Its unpatriotic.

[Big Dave]

Shiver is a nice bike.

All you would have to do to a Street Triple to make it completely upright is change the handlebars.

[nerrrd]

I think you feeling comfortable on it is what counts, not what anyone else says. Agree they're a great looking bike, and they seem like great value too.

Seems like a big jump from a scooter though, even a 250? Wondered if you'd considered either of the Honda NC 700 bikes? They're s'posed to be a bit more scooterish in character (useful storage, easy to handle, economical to run) but still fun to ride - but yeah probably a bit vanilla compared to what you've been looking at.

[OutLander]

Nice bike. 3 maps so you can always change the the behaviour a little. There only problem is catalyst block which works like a seat and leg heater. Nice and warm when it is cold, a not that nice in the summer.

[kaz]

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

I think you feeling comfortable on it is what counts, not what anyone else says. Agree they're a great looking bike, and they seem like great value too.
Seems like a big jump from a scooter though, even a 250? Wondered if you'd considered either of the Honda NC 700 bikes? They're s'posed to be a bit more scooterish in character (useful storage, easy to handle, economical to run) but still fun to ride - but yeah probably a bit vanilla compared to what you've been looking at.

Well, yes, I assumed that because of being used to a 250cc scooter, I should be looking at something involving like 400-500cc bike. But I didn't see any that appealed and, having test ridden these others, I am now questioning my assumption that you have to go up in small increments of size.

I am certainly inexperienced in terms of riding a larger engine bike (or any bike with a clutch for that matter). On the other hand, using gears (slow turns as well as riding normally) isn't hard and I am experienced at scootering different roads through all kinds of traffic and weathers.

So I'd guess that my needs are not so much around learning to ride in a general sense but around learning the wise management of more power and the technical challenges of a differently designed and balanced machine. My partner, who owns the Street Triple and has been riding for decades, reckons I'm a really good rider and just need to keep building confidence. In which case, the comments about going with whatever bike feels comfortable make sense to me. But there may be another reason for not going as big in a bike so soon that I don't know about...

[kaz]

Shiver is a nice bike.

All you would have to do to a Street Triple to make it completely upright is change the handlebars.

Thanks Big Dave, that's true I guess. But it's not cheap to do it (I enquired) and it's also not actually my bike! It also wouldn't take care of the issue I have with my feeling that it's too much power for me (or too easily accidentally accessed).

[Ocean1]

Once it's out of warranty, it's not much different to any other bike. Parts can be sourced from all over the show rather than just through the NZ agent.

That's true. And if you can service your own bike it's probably all that matters.

In fact even if you can't, for 2nd hand machines we've got a reasonable setup in Wgtn, with an ex franchise dealer having the marque experience but not the constraints associated in dealing with the distributor, eh?

[nerrrd]

My partner, who owns the Street Triple and has been riding for decades, reckons I'm a really good rider and just need to keep building confidence. In which case, the comments about going with whatever bike feels comfortable make sense to me. But there may be another reason for not going as big in a bike so soon that I don't know about...

Fair enough, never having ridden a bike with much more than 50hp I'm not in a position to answer that question. We all have our own path to follow on two wheels ( get me a bucket ), and if what you're riding doesn't spin your wheels then what's the point?

Also...love is a beautiful thing and all, but have you had your skills assessed by anyone other than your partner? Not saying you should necessarily, but might be something to consider.

[Hitcher]

A Shiver was one of the best bikes I've ever owned, Aprilia New Zealand notwithstanding.

The ergonomics (well, the first two iterations anyway, before Aprilia fannied around with the peg locations) are perfect. The seat was faultless. All of the controls were logically placed. The instrumentation is easy to read (unless you've got a first generation model - the gold framed one - when you should expect condensation in the unit).

The engine is an absolute peach. The fly-by-wire throttle with its three modes is superb, although only the S mode is needed, seriously. Gearbox? Yes, there is one, and it works. Never a false neutral (are you reading this, Mr Kawasaki?).

The brakes have a nice touch and pull the bike up well in any conditions.

Pillion comfort is good, but the extra 50+kg overwhelms the rear suspension.

Headlight? Superb on dip and on high.

20,000km service intervals.

Great fuel efficiency -- 20km/l.

If I hadn't been tragically separated from mine, I would have spent some money on the rear suspension. I may even still own it. After 40,000km the front suspension had just started to weep.

If one is a taller rider, then I reckon the Shiver is the best mid-size naked. Its build quality is better that the Triumph Street Triple and it is way less cramped. A V twin also sounds better than a whining sack full of cats.

[boman]

+1 for the Street Triple, with a better set of bars. Or a Suzuki Gsf650 Gladius. Nice bikes too. V twin sound, and great on gas.