Aprilia Mana - Shiftless Shiver

Return Of The Automatic Motorcycle

By , Photography by Milagro

The Mana is not a bike for every motorcyclist. If you rarely ride in town you'd have little use for the power-sapping complexity or added expense of the CVT. But in heavy traffic the automatic transmission is a handy feature, and the Mana combines its motorcycle and scooter features cleverly without many compromises. Previous attempts at automatic motorcycles have ended in failure, but these days there are enough riders graduating from giant scooters to make the concept more promising.

Evolution
A larger-displacement, automatic-shift version of the SL750 Shiver, which it was developed alongside.

Rivals
The Mana has no direct competition. It occupies the no-man's land between maxi-scooters and middleweight motorcycles.

TECH
Price
na
Engine type:
l-c 90-deg. V-twin
Valve train: SOHC, 8v
Displacement: 839cc
Bore x stroke: 88.0 x 69.0mm
Compression: 10.0:1
Fuel system: EFI
Clutch: Automatic
Transmission CVT or 7-speed
Claimed horsepower: 76.1 bhp @ 7250 rpm
Claimed torque:
53.8 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm
Frame Steel trellis
Front suspension: 43mm Showa inverted fork
Rear suspension: Single Sachs shock adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping
Front brake: Dual four-piston radial calipers, 320mm discs
Rear brake: Single-piston caliper, 260mm disc
Front tire: 120/70-ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier
Rear tire:
180/55-ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier
Rake/trail 24.0Þ/4.1 in.
Seat height:
31.5 in.
Wheelbase 57.6 in.
Fuel capacity: 3.9 gal.
Claimed dry weight:
na
Colors: Red, black, silver
Available: na
Warranty na
Contact: www.apriliausa.com

Verdict
An excellent attempt to combine the sporty attributes of a motorcycle with the convenience of a scooter.

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