JRO
Well-known member
My friend, Paul, acquired the Aprilia and Moto Guizzi dealership for Tulsa, Okla., about the same time I purchased my '07 FJR. Being a good pal, my oldest son and I tried out several of his new bikes. The Aprilia sportbikes were beautiful, but the ergonomics of such beasts excludes me from riding them. We both tried the Tuono, though. I wasn't impressed. Too vibey, and the bike had a cheap feel to it. Quite a bit on maint. on those bikes, also.
When the new LS750 Shivers came in, they were interesting-looking, but I'd already discounted ever owning an Aprilia.
I dropped by Paul's Brookside Cycle, yesterday. He had a customer there, looking to buy an '05 FJR he had for sale. I was recruited to soapbox for the FJR. I was looking at the Shiver, later. Paul threw me the keys.
Shit! I want one!
It was fun. The little torque beast was more fun than a Speed Triple. It begged to be wheelied, but was perfectly comfortable to keep earthbound. In about two blocks, it felt more like flying through the clouds than riding a bike. I can't describe how it handled; it just went wherever I wanted, flawlessly. The power delivery felt so smooth and unlimited, I had to check to make sure it was a V-twin, when I got off! It's fly-by-wire, I now understand. No fooling; no throttle cable. The thing has three or four fuel maps you can choose from, at the flick of a switch - Now there's an idea worth having. The brakes were the best, period (same ones as on the bigger 1200 Aprilia performance bikes; talk about STOP). The stepped seat was great. The step acts like a backrest. It could have been a bit plusher, but I've gotten soft in my middle-age. The footpegs are positioned for a really comfortable, bolt-upright position. At 6'1", the ergos of this bike were perfect. I don't know when I've sat a bike, than didn't need something, and I'm tired of buying expensive bikes that don't fit without aftermarket parts. Risers? I'd never need any.
When I returned the thing, I was considering leaving my FJR, and taking it home. Like I said, it was fun. I figured it was the kind of thing that would require a lot of attention, however. So, I asked. Paul said maintainence is nothing - Japanese. The best part, though, is parts are dirt cheap. Dirt cheap.
I was supposed to be shopping for a car, yesterday (I don't got one - kids have them all). Instead, I think I've found another bike. If you haven't seen or tried one of these 750 Shivers, then I can't recommend one enough. Forget an FZ6, a Steet Triple, or anything else in the mid-naked bike catagory. Try one of these Aprilias, first. It feels like a little more bike, and a little less mid. My guess is, you'll end up comparing the others to the Shiver, and I don't think they'll stack up as well.
Oh, well... It was a lot of fun to ride, and I just might bring the thing home. You can't go wrong, testing one out.
When the new LS750 Shivers came in, they were interesting-looking, but I'd already discounted ever owning an Aprilia.
I dropped by Paul's Brookside Cycle, yesterday. He had a customer there, looking to buy an '05 FJR he had for sale. I was recruited to soapbox for the FJR. I was looking at the Shiver, later. Paul threw me the keys.
Shit! I want one!
It was fun. The little torque beast was more fun than a Speed Triple. It begged to be wheelied, but was perfectly comfortable to keep earthbound. In about two blocks, it felt more like flying through the clouds than riding a bike. I can't describe how it handled; it just went wherever I wanted, flawlessly. The power delivery felt so smooth and unlimited, I had to check to make sure it was a V-twin, when I got off! It's fly-by-wire, I now understand. No fooling; no throttle cable. The thing has three or four fuel maps you can choose from, at the flick of a switch - Now there's an idea worth having. The brakes were the best, period (same ones as on the bigger 1200 Aprilia performance bikes; talk about STOP). The stepped seat was great. The step acts like a backrest. It could have been a bit plusher, but I've gotten soft in my middle-age. The footpegs are positioned for a really comfortable, bolt-upright position. At 6'1", the ergos of this bike were perfect. I don't know when I've sat a bike, than didn't need something, and I'm tired of buying expensive bikes that don't fit without aftermarket parts. Risers? I'd never need any.
When I returned the thing, I was considering leaving my FJR, and taking it home. Like I said, it was fun. I figured it was the kind of thing that would require a lot of attention, however. So, I asked. Paul said maintainence is nothing - Japanese. The best part, though, is parts are dirt cheap. Dirt cheap.
I was supposed to be shopping for a car, yesterday (I don't got one - kids have them all). Instead, I think I've found another bike. If you haven't seen or tried one of these 750 Shivers, then I can't recommend one enough. Forget an FZ6, a Steet Triple, or anything else in the mid-naked bike catagory. Try one of these Aprilias, first. It feels like a little more bike, and a little less mid. My guess is, you'll end up comparing the others to the Shiver, and I don't think they'll stack up as well.
Oh, well... It was a lot of fun to ride, and I just might bring the thing home. You can't go wrong, testing one out.
