The 2009 Aprilia SL Shiver has been earning some glowing reviews since its 2007 debut (the guys at Motorcycle News have been particularly lovey-dovey) so we decided it was high time for a test ride of our own. As with so many of our weekends, we wound up down at Scuderia West, proof-of-insurance in hand. And then we hit the road.

Right away, the Aprilia Shiver makes herself known with a big frame that suits a taller rider very comfortably. For a naked sportbike, she is noticeably jaunty, baring her 750cc V-twin and angular 2-in-1 exhaust for all the world to see.

The Shiver does perform very, very nicely, though her ride-by-wire throttle introduces a few idiosyncrasies in the controls, which can take getting used to. However, it was fun toggling between the bike’s Touring, Rain and Sport modes, which deliver markedly different acceleration profiles and adapt the Shiver’s overall personality to a wider range of riding conditions than the single-purposed Triumph Street Triple which we pitted her against. Apparently, the Shiver’s electronic throttle control also adjusts valve aperture based on your gear selection, engine speed, throttle grip position and movement speed, temperature and (mountain climbers take note) atmospheric pressure… if the Shiver played Blackjack, I’m pretty sure she’d count cards, too.

As one road tester described, “The Shiver’s V-twin delivers a wonderfully raspy and very Italianate song….” Well, unfortunately I couldn’t quite hear that song over the Street Triple’s trademark triple burble, and the roar of the twin Remus exhausts, but I’m assuming the writer was referring to the Shiver’s nonetheless throaty purr.

Because of her jaunty measurements – more trail, more rake than the Street Triple – the Shiver handles more smoothly, even despite a 750cc V2 setup that ought to have her leaping out of the gate. Instead, it’s the Street Triple and its 675cc 3-cylinder inline that’s rearin’ to go. Is it because the Shiver is a full 50lbs heavier? Or does that ride-by-wire throttle actually read your mind?

In the end, my vote goes to the Triumph Street Triple as the better naked sportbike, despite its aggressive, hypersensitive throttle and unfortunate lack of concern for rider comfort. Adds to the streetfighter allure, I say.

The Shiver, meanwhile, is plainly too competent for its own good.

Be sure to look for the full article in one of our future print issues. In the meantime, for more Triumph and Aprilia fun be sure to check out, Triumph Boards and Aprilia Boards.

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to our full feed RSS or receive new posts by Email.

Last 5 posts by Andrew

• Oil Change - January 16th, 2010
• 2010 Ducati Multistrada - January 11th, 2010
• Honda VT750 Shadow: Saddlebags Uninstall - January 6th, 2010
• Olympia Ranger 2 Riding Pants - January 1st, 2010
• Project Shadowblade - December 26th, 2009