Aprilia Shiver 750

Though the latest SL750 hasn’t received sweeping changes from the 2008/09 versions, the few changes it has are largely a result of Shiver customer input, according to Aprilia. A narrower saddle, a new flyscreen, lower handlebars and rear-set foot controls are meant to impart a sportier feeling bike, while wave brake rotors, a narrower (5.5” vs. 6.0”) rear wheel and updated fuel mapping round out the technical upgrades.

I’d like to tell you the adjustments to the ergos serve as a vast improvement from what the first iteration of the Shiver offered, but the truth is I didn’t find the old dimensions a problem and so can’t say definitively the changes are of huge benefit. What is a nice addition is the new color-matched flyscreen. Though it doesn’t wrap the rider in a cocoon of still air, it nevertheless helps reduce some windblast compared to the old bike. In fairness, the fully naked Shiver of yore (okay, just one model year ago) did at least a decent job of deflecting wind via the headlight’s shape.