Ducati Monster 696 vs. Aprilia Shiver SL 750 - Naked In The Middle
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2008 Aprilia SL750 Shiver | Price $8999
Hard Parts
Engine
The first in a line of modular engines built by Aprilia's parent company Piaggio rather than Rotax, the liquid-cooled 750 runs a mixed chain and gear drive to DOHC four-valve heads for reduced engine size and weight. Bore and stroke are highly oversquare at 92.0 x 56.4mm, suggesting higher-revving versions in the future. Compression is mellow at just 11.0:1, with combustibles set off by dual spark plugs with in-cap coils.
Chassis
The tubular-steel trellis frame's geometry lends itself to stability rather than agility, with 25.7 degrees of rake and 4.3 inches of trail. Engine-cradling aluminum side plates provide rigidity and a pivot point for the trussed swingarm. Smooth-cast aluminum 10-spoke wheels are shod with Bridgestone Battlax tires in 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear sizes.
Suspension/Brakes
The Sachs shock mounted on the right side of the frame provides easy access to its simple adjustments. The non-adjustable 43mm fork comes equipped with radial brake mounts plus powerful four-piston calipers biting on 320mm rotors. The 245mm rear disc is clamped by a two-piston caliper.
Styling
The Shiver looks chiseled from stone with its facetted, geometric surfaces. An angular, parabolic headlight dominates the front of the machine, while pointed radiator shrouds and a wide fuel tank impart a broad-shouldered, powerful appearance. The gold frame stands out starkly against the matte gray of the bodywork, leading the eye into the lively complexity of the engine/swingarm/shock/footrest juncture. The tail of the bike is an equal combination of seat, cowl and muffler.
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| Tech Spec | | |
| Engine type: l-c 90 deg. V-twin | Rear brake: Single-piston Aprilia caliper, 245mm disc | Corrected 1/4-mile: 11.88 sec. @ 111.8 mph |
| Valve train: DOHC, 8v | Front tire: 120/70-ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier | 0-60 mph: 3.16 sec. |
| Displacement: 750cc | Rear tire: 180/55-ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier | Top-gear roll-on 60-80 mph: 5.14 sec. |
| Bore x stroke: 92.0 x 56.4mm | Rake/trail: 25.7 deg./4.3 in. | Fuel mileage (high/low/avg.): 44/36/37 mpg |
| Compression: 11.0:1 | Seat height: 31.9 in. | Colors: Fever Silver, Code Orange |
| Fuel system: EFI | Wheelbase: 56.7 in. | Availability: Now |
| Clutch: Wet, multi-plate | Fuel capacity: 3.4 gal. | Warranty: 24 mo./unlimited mi. |
| Transmission: 6-speed | Weight (tank full/empty): 487/466 lbs. | Contact:
Aprilia USA
140 East 45th St.
New York, NY 10017
800.631.1101
www.apriliausa.com |
| Frame: Tubular-steel trellis with aluminum swingarm | Measured horsepower: 74.7 bhp @ 9250 rpm | |
| Front suspension: Showa 43mm inverted fork | Measured torque: 44.9 lb.-ft. @ 8500 rpm | |
| Rear suspension: Sachs shock with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping | | |
| Front brake: Dual four-piston Aprilia calipers, 320mm discs | | |
Dyno
Aprilia wins, hands down. Horsepower and torque numbers tower above those of the 696 at all revs, with considerably smoother delivery. Some 40-plus lbs.-ft. of torque are on call from 4250 rpm, with 74.7 bhp delivered at 9250 rpm.
Ergos
With a short seat-to-bar distance and a relaxed 101.4-degree seating angle, sitting on the Shiver feels more like standing. Pegs are set low and to the rear, leaving your legs pleasantly extended. The position is great until the wind tries to tear you off.
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