After reading the Shiver review from Hitcher I was inspired to go try one for myself. I have had my bike for two years and could be inspired to make a change, if I found the right bike to inspire me.
Since I was in the Hutt and had my gear, it seemed only fair to try the new Honda CB1000 as well (being a past owner and current part owner of the 919 Hornet). Riding the Monster was not in the plans, it just kinda happened
Disclaimer:
I am not a story writer, so this will not be the fantastic words that you see in Hitchers quality reviews.
Aprilia Shiver
First impression
The looks don't really do it for me. It's not ugly but it's not pretty.
Sitting on and ride position
The bike is pretty high, I was almost on tip toes to get both feet on the ground (apparently the demo is as low as it gets in stock form)
Riding off the first thing I notice is how low the foot pegs feel, this may be just the difference from my bike, but my legs felt very straight up and down. The overall feel is very comfortable, when up to 100kph the wind nicely holds the body up.
Riding
I felt I could ride this bike for hours with no problems, very comfortable. Cornering was easy (once I got a little more used to the engine).
Engine and Exhaust
Nice, very responsive and loved the sound. I have not ridden twins very often so it took a bit to get used to it, but I sense an understanding of the 'character' people talk about when they rave about twins.
I was however having problems in the 4000-6000 rev range. 2nd gear (and when I changed to first gear) was a little jerky at 50/60 speed, to the point where I stopped just after leaving the shop looking to see if I need to flick the bike onto reserve. By the end of the test ride I just figured it was what it did and was riding around it.
Gearbox
Like a hot knife in butter. It felt like my boot only needed to make an up/down motion near the gear shit. Loved it.
Brakes
Probably the highlight for me on the Shiver. I was finding excuses to use the brakes cause I loved the feeling
Overall impressions
Good bike, actually a very good bike. Not for me however.
Thanks TSS for the demo.
Now its off to Motomart to try the CB1000. Walk in the door and there sits Ducati after Ducati, glowing in their red Ducatiness. I am sure they sell Hondas in here, but I just have to look at these red beasts first. 749, 1098, 1098r, DesmocidiThey are all here. Trudes spies the new Monster 696, a very nice looking naked bike I must say (in Ducati red of course). Chris comes over while Trudes is trying it out for size, confirming even she can get her feet almost flat on the ground
Chris advises this is a demo bike, only one thing I can do then I guess
Ducati 696 Monster
First impression
Looks great. For a small bike it doesn't look that small. It's red.
Sitting on and ride position
It has already passed the feet on the ground test, so no problems there (this is an important consideration when your partner rides and helps finance the next bike purchase) Riding away I think it doesn't feel like a small bike, it feels just right for me. The pegs are up higher than the Shiver, feeling like a more natural position. There is a little more wind protection up top (probably a combination of the small screen and the slightly more lent over body position). I did notice more wind on the legs than the Shiver, with my jeansflapping in the wind.
Riding
I get a little surprise when I turned right at the Hutt roundabout. The bike tipped in fast, way faster than the Shiver. That was my first hint about the way this bike likes to be ridden. It loved corners, I loved riding corners on it. I don't really know how to describe it, but it was great fun.
Engine and Exhaust
Noticeable less power and noise than the Shiver, but seemed like plenty for this size of bike.
Gear box
Clunk clunk. You certainly knew when you had changed gear.
Brakes
Just like the Shiver, awesome. But I noticed them less on the Monster (see overall impressions)
Overall impressions
Wow, I loved riding this bike. It felt like I was going fast all the time. It felt comfortable and confident at the same time. It made me feel like riding more.
I spent the whole time thinking I want to ride faster, braking seemed unnecessary. It was simply a pleasure to ride.
Would I trade my bike for this? hmmmmmm
Honda CB1000
First impressions
Looks different in the pictures, looks different in the flesh. It grew on me a little, but I would not say I am a fan yet.
Sitting on and ride position
Felt ok, relaxed and everything in the right place (except the digital speedo on the left, that seemed odd)
Engine and Exhaust
Quiet and smooth, just like an IL4. It only had 37km on the clock so I was fairly gentle
Gearbox
Worked well, no problems. I hit a false neutral on both the other bikes :slap: but not this one.
Brakes
Wooden, only way I can describe them. The low k's is probably a big disadvantage and they did feel better (or I was used to them) by the end of the ride. But compared to the Aprilia and Ducati the Honda brakes were simply adequate.
Overall impressions
A nice bike. It does everything well and feels nice and efficient. What sums it up for me is the feeling I had half way into my usual test ride route, I was ready to take the bike back. It simply wasn't doing it for me.
Thanks Motomart for the test rides.
So there you have it. Three good bikes, but only one bike I really enjoyed.
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Originally Posted by pritch
) However first impressions of the 696 for me is that it is very nice looking in the flesh (commented several times that it would look very nice in my garage, helps also that I've long liked the look of the Monster, and this one looks especially modern and sexy) and the fact that I would actually be able to take the bike for a test ride without the shop needing to tamper with the suspension to lower the thing first is a very rare thing that immediately makes me warm to the machine..... Now to ride it!!
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