Tourer good rather than grand

Aprilia’s Shiver middleweight was always meant to offer a family of models. We have already had naked and supermoto versions – now Jane Omorogbe tries the new GT

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GRAND Tourer – the title suggests journeys of monumental proportions, but in reality, Aprilia knows that the majority of Shiver GT owners are unlikely to attempt a solid circumnavigation of the globe.

But basic protection from the elements and the ability to carry luggage is essential, even on the smallest of adventures. So the Italians have transformed the “naked” SL Shiver into a GT version, one that can head off into the unknown with one or two happy campers onboard.

Since the Shiver SL’s launch in 2007, we have been expecting the release of a touring version. We have had the supermoto model already in the guise of the hilariously superb Dorsoduro, which is also powered by the Shiver SL engine. And now there’s another branch sprouting from the same tree in the form of the GT.

The Shiver GT is essentially exactly the same as the original, naked version, but with the addition of a stylish half-fairing.

The engine, like the chassis and suspension, remains completely untouched – and rightly so. It’s already a capable bike that certainly challenges its rivals on paper. The claimed 95bhp at 9,000rpm and 60lb/ft of torque at 7,000rpm exceed the performance figures offered by many other bikes in this genre, such as Yamaha’s XJ6 Diversion or Kawasaki’s ER6f.

And, in many ways, the ride experience is equally impressive. The 750cc V-twin was the first engine of its size to have been made in-house by Aprilia specifically for the Shiver’s introduction two years ago.

Keen to set a benchmark from the off, it was also the first road-bike engine to use a ride-by-wire system that was completely free of any mechanical link, leaving the ECU to control the precise amount of air and fuel required to provide the smoothest ride available.

Then there’s the choice of three different “ride modes”, which you can select on the move via a button on the handlebars. “Rain” mode dampens the torque by 25% to avoid spinning the rear in the wet. It’s practical, but dull, with a maximum of 60bhp on tap even with the throttle pinned wide open.

The Sport and Touring modes behave exactly as you would expect; the latter slashes the available power in half until you wind the throttle past the midway point, then both modes become equal.

It’s often surprising what a big difference a small addition such as a windscreen can make, but the Shiver GT’s half-fairing is the perfect accessory for this bike. It shelters you from the direct wind-blast pretty effectively and without causing too much disruption to the bike’s handling, which is responsive and stable, but also slightly heavier than I was anticipating.

Two cubbyholes invite you to store your wallet, earplugs, phone and other small biking paraphernalia that’s handy to have at your fingertips, and the integrated 12-volt socket allows you to power any electrical accessories you may have bought.

Which brings me neatly to the luggage. There was none on the bike I rode, which surprised me. How can you manage a grand tour with only a toothbrush and some smalls crammed in your coat pockets? Surely Aprilia has panniers on offer? Of course it does, but to my mind, they’re the very basic kind and don’t seem to match the high standard set by the rest of this bike.

The sum of £350 will buy you a set of non-waterproof, non-lockable soft panniers, which is disappointing and not really conducive to the idea of packing your worldly goods and soldiering off into the distance. And there are certainly more practical after-market alternatives available on the market. Aprilia has missed a trick in this department.

Should you decide that grand tours are not really your thing and that you would much rather turn around and head home, be sure to pick a very wide road to execute your U-turn as the bike’s steering lock is poorer than Oliver Twist.

Thankfully, there are plenty of other riches to be enjoyed, though. The riding position is comfortable and natural, with space for even the tallest of bikers to relax and enjoy the ride.

The deep exhaust note has been manipulated to sound as pleasantly round as Father Christmas and, although the brakes are adequate, the bike I rode was equipped with ABS, which is available for an extra £300 and worth the investment far more than the luggage.

This bike is a good tourer rather than grand, but it would also make a practical everyday bike for a longer commute. And if you do fancy a trip to the Continent, buy yourself a set of Givi hard luggage.

Model: Aprilia Shiver GT, £6,499

Engine: Liquid-cooled, 90-degree V-twin of 750cc, producing 95bhp at 9,000rpm and 60lb/ft at 7,000rpm

Transmission: Chain drive through six-speed gearbox

Dry weight: 189kg

Seat height: 810mm

Fuel capacity: 16 litres