Hello from Ventura, California where today I will be riding the two bikes from Noale’s street lineup, the Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 and the Aprilia Shiver 900.
More evolution than revolution, for the 2017 model year Aprilia has revised the Dorsoduro and Shiver them with a 896cc engine – increasing the stroke from the previously 750cc 90° v-twin lump.
This gives both models a modest power bump and torque gain, while bringing the two street bikes into compliance with Euro4 emission standards. While at it, Aprilia has also updated both machines, leaving no stone unturned in the process in making them better motorcycles.
As such, virtually every aspect of the Aprilia Dorsoduro and Aprilia Shiver have been updated, most notably the electronics, which now include a traction control system, along with new ABS and ride-by-wire hardware and software pieces.
Hopefully, this means that these two rather bland machines from Aprilia have become the potent weapons we always hoped they would be.
To test that thought, we will be riding one of my favorite roads in the world, Highway 33, which stretches from Ventura to Ojai, and into Lockwood Valley – ending at Interstate 5. A good set of twisties, it should be the happy hunting ground for these two motorcycles.
Per our new review format, we will be giving you a live assessment of the Dorsoduro 900 and Shiver 900 models right here in this article (down in the comments section), and there we will try to answer any questions you might have.
So, here is your chance to learn what it’s like to ride these affordable street shredders, before even my own proper reviews are posted. As always, if I don’t know an answer, I will try to get a response from the Aprilia personnel. So, pepper away.
You can follow our thoughts on the bike live via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Spec-Sheet Comparison of Relevant Models to the Aprilia Dorsoduro 900:
| Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 | Ducati Hypermotard 939 | Husqvarna 701 Supermoto | MV Agusta Rivale 800 | |
| Horsepower | 95 hp | 108 hp | 74 hp | 123 hp |
| Torque | 66 lbs•ft | 70 lbs•ft | 52 lbs•ft | 62 lbs•ft |
| Weight | 467 lbs (wet) | 450 lbs (dry) | 320 lbs (dry) | 392 lbs (dry) |
| Engine | 90° V-twin, 896cc | 90° V-twin, 937cc | Single-Cylinder, 693cc | Three-cylinder, 798cc |
| Price | $10,999 | $12,995 | $11,799 | $13,798 |
Spec-Sheet Comparison of Relevant Models to the Aprilia Shiver 900:
| Aprilia Shiver 900 | Ducati Monster 821 | KTM 690 Duke | Triumph Street Triple S | |
| Horsepower | 95 hp | 107 hp | 72 hp | 111 hp |
| Torque | 66 lbs•ft | 64 lbs•ft | 55 lbs•ft | 54 lbs•ft |
| Weight | 480 lbs (wet) | 453 lbs (wet) | 327 lbs (dry) | 366 lbs (dry) |
| Engine | 90° V-twin, 896cc | 90° V-twin, 821cc | Single-Cylinder, 690cc | Three-cylinder, 765cc |
| Price | $9,399 | $11,695 | $8,999 | $9,900 |
Photos: Aprilia
