About those 'aprilia mirrors' everyone raves about...

[stagehand38]

Originally Posted by Bear on a bicycle

WOO HOO!!! Very nice Carl!! Man I'm jealous..... I've been wanting another bike so bad! That thing looks fun!!

Well Rick....they still have one left at the close out price of 8 grand!

It all happened so fast once I heard the about the deal...We had a 4.5 hour window between rehearsals at the Opera house.
Weather was turning wintery bad FAST! 92 miles in 43 degree weather on the "V"...Then straight back to the theatre to make final rehearsal.
Thankfully adrenaline kept me warm.
My back up day was the following Saturday to buy the bike and I would have never made it as the temp had dropped bellow 32 degrees.
I got lucky and saved having to rent a truck to make the swap.
I will indeed post a rider report as soon as we get a break in the weather here...possibly this coming weekend as 50 degrees is promised.

I really have to stop buying bikes this time of the year!
First the Versys: last week of October 2009...now the Shiver: last week of November. LOLOL

I do enjoy "LOOKING" at the bike though!

[fasteddiecopeman]

Originally Posted by stagehand38

...I really have to stop buying bikes this time of the year!
First the Versys: last week of October 2009...now the Shiver: last week of November. LOLOL ....

Carl - seems like the "Shiver" is APTLY named!

[stagehand38]

Originally Posted by fasteddiecopeman

Carl - seems like the "Shiver" is APTLY named!

LMAO!!!!!
But i wasn't shivering today....temps hit 50f. Bwah ha ha ha HA!

[invader]

Good audio in this video:

You Tube

You Tube

[stagehand38]

BRIEF RIDE REPORT!
The saddle is AMAZINGLY GOOD ! (mind you I got along just fine with the "V's" seat )
But this bike just fits me like I could have never imagined.
A bit of a lean forward as the alloy handle bars sit right now....but it's not an issue; feels right.
Besides, at speed...the wind really takes a load off your arms.
The rear-sets are gorgeous and I think they have some adjustablity! ( I've been work a ton so haven't had much time for anything but eats and sleeps. will read up on it some more tonite.).
Rear brake is surprisingly powerful and foot pedal is concentrically mounted and adjustable.
Levers are adjustable and use a mechanism similar to the Versys.
The four piston Front brakes BITE! Very progressive, not wooden at all. Easily modulated.
They ARE NOT Brembo's as some reviews have stated. They are made in-house by aprilia; but to the same specs as they give to Brembo for the 'Tuono' and RSV4.

I never new just how quiet a helmet is without a screen on the bike.
Buffeting? what buffeting.
I read that the gear box generates false neutrals and Neutral is a bear to find coming into it from first gear. Coming down from second is much better. That being said, It already is improving so I am thinking as the bike breaks-in, things will correct them self.
As for the rest of the gearbox/clutch...WOWSER!!!!!
One word, HYDRAULIC ACTUATION!!!!! (ok...two words!).
Butter smooth every time.
Suspension is more compliant (Plush) than the Versys; no adjustments at all on the fork set but I'd say aprilia did their homework.
Now that the tires are scrubbed in I'm starting to explore some more playful riding.
The shiver feels a bit more top heavy than one would think. You have to tell her to lay over ( with the Versys you just 'think' it an it goes) But Once you start taking a set through a curve she's very predictable. As a trade-off...this bike is much more stable at high speeds...and holds a line like it's on the proverbial 'rails'.

BTW...the tires are Pirelli Angel ST's. After 170 miles I have nothing to report...it's just to soon to say.

The throatle by wire is very impressive. Fueling is silky smooth when set to "Touring".
The dam thing will throw you off the saddle when set to "Sport" WOO-HOOOOOOOOO...so that's what an extra 35 horses feels like!
( but still smooooooooth. )
This bike wants to ride on one wheel just like the mighty "V". LOLOL
The "L" twin 750 is a very smooth power plant.
Mirrors are rock solid up to 6000 rpms regardless of what gear your in. (break-in period current limit).
Rear end is same basic design as the Kawasaki Versys. "Sachs" shock does a nice job. Pre-load and rebound damping adjustable. feels terrific.
But I won't play with that till spring.

The fit and finish is extremely good. (Honda hasn't completely cornered the market on fit and finish LOL)
Are all Italian bikes this well finished?
You can almost feel the love that went into making this bike, my bike... a reality.

The Shiver 750 is, in many ways... like a better Versys ( and that is most definitely a compliment to Kawasaki).......and You'd feel right at home on her.
It's just a whole lot meaner and athletic.
Imagine if a triumph street-triple bumped uglys with a Kawasaki Versys......
You'd get the aprilia Shiver 750.
Me thinks I made a really good choice.

OH!....and did I mention the sound this thing makes....OMG!!!!!!!!

I have a few days off and reports say 60 degrees by weekend so I may expand on this miscellaneous RAMBLING yet again before winter finally settles in.

Thanks everyone for chiming in!
Though I ride alone...I always feel like all of you've got my "SIX"!
Ride safe my friend.
Peace.

Carl

[Lours_Polaire]

Originally Posted by Arion

That's the most creative way of buying a pair of mirrors I believe I've ever come across.

I wonder if my charming wife would understand the logic?

Tell her that safety has no price !!!

LOP