2017 Aprilia Shiver 900 and Dorsoduro 900 First Look Review From EICMA

Remember the Shiver and Dorsoduro? They've been around for nearly a decade, though for the past few years they've been relegated to the shadows as we sing love songs to Aprilia's revamped RSV4 superbike and Tuono V4 1100.

Well Aprilia’s V-twin twins are back, both with the same updates. Let’s start with the engine, because that’s the most substantial change. Existing as a 749cc, liquid-cooled, 90-degree V-twin since the Dorsoduro and Shiver were first introduced in 2008, the motor has grown to 896cc by way of a longer stroke.

More stroke equals more torque, and as expected the 900's torque is up substantially, from a claimed 59.6 pound-feet on last year’s 750 to 66.4 pound-feet on the 2017 bikes. What’s not expected is zero increase in peak horsepower, which is still listed at 95 hp. That’s plenty of horsepower, and 66 pound-feet is nothing to sneeze at. These bike ought to be a blast to flog, offering up a similar experience but from two slightly different-looking machines. What really sets them apart are looks and suspension stroke: the Dorsoduro offers up another couple of inches of travel.

Rear-wheel spin is now monitored by a traction-control system that’s new for both bikes, but it’s not the race-worthy APRC package that the Tuonos and RSV4’s have, and as far as we can tell you can’t turn TC off. ABS? They’ve got that too, though again, there’s no indication that you can turn disable it. Speaking of the Tuono and RSV4, both Shiver and Dosroduro are getting the same TFT dash that’s fitted to the V-4s for 2017.