Aprilia will launch two new motorcycles in India in July-August – the Shiver 900 and the Dorsoduro 900. The Shiver is a naked motorcycle, while the Dorsoduro is a dual-sport adventure bike.
The Shiver 900 and the Dorsoduro 900 were launched globally earlier this year, meant to replace the 750 variants of both models. While the Dorsoduro is already on sale in India in 1,200cc guise, the Shiver will make a debut.
The Shiver 900 and the Dorsoduro 900 are powered by 896cc, V-twin engines putting out 95.2hp at 8,750rpm and 90Nm at 6,500rpm. They will sit on 41mm Kayaba inverted forks up front and an adjustable monoshock round the back. Both bikes feature frames made of trellis-type steel tubes bolted onto aluminium side plates, along with a dismountable rear sub-frame. Braking will be provided by twin 320mm discs up front chomped on by four-piston Brembo calipers and a single 240mm disc round the back bitten by a single piston Brembo caliper. The six-spoke, 17-inch cast aluminium wheels are different from the 750s’ in terms of design and weight (they are lighter).
The bikes will feature a better electronics package compared to the 750s. ABS is standard and so is the switchable traction control (single-way for the Shiver and three-way for the Dorsoduro), three power modes (sport, touring and rain) that alter power delivery and a Bluetooth-enabled infotainment system for smartphone connectivity.
The Shiver 900 and the Dorsoduro 900 will compete with the Ducati Monster 821 and the Hypermotard 939; considering that the Aprilias will be imported from Italy, while the Ducatis come from Thailand (with which India has a free trade agreement), we can expect the Shiver and the Dorsoduro to feature slightly higher ex-showroom prices of Rs 13-14 lakh.
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
