By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Supermoto
Aprilia Shiver 900 (MY2017) vs Dorsoduro 900 (MY2017)
Aprilia Shiver 900 vs Dorsoduro 900: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
You'll feel the Aprilia Shiver 900 talk back through the bars as it tips into a bend, quick to turn yet steady once it's leaned over. On the Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 you're perched tall and upright over the front as the bike turns in. Its fork holds the arc dead still.
So which one do you buy?
The Dorsoduro 900 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
By a nose: Dorsoduro 900
Day in, day out, the Dorsoduro 900 nudges ahead in traffic. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
What makes each one tick
Shiver 900
Down low, the Shiver 900's V-twin pulls cleanly, and there's a midrange shove that doesn't wait for big revs. Up top it spins out smoothly. A squeeze of the brake lever brings radial calipers into play as the bike slows. The exposed trellis frame stays planted through the stop.
Dorsoduro 900
Torque spreads wide across the Dorsoduro 900's rev range, and its V-twin doesn't snatch in town traffic. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, it's that broad pull that keeps the twin lively between sweepers. Mid-corner, a ripple in the pavement doesn't shake the chassis loose. The shock soaks it up.
Nils rode the Dorsoduro 900 in 2018 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Shiver 900 has the lower seat: 31.9 in (810 mm) vs 34.3 in (870 mm).
- The Shiver 900 has the larger fuel tank: 4.0 US gal (15 L) vs 3.2 US gal (12 L).
- Quickshifter: standard on the Shiver 900, not offered on the Dorsoduro 900.
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Off its turf: Dorsoduro 900
Leave the Dorsoduro 900 for your second or third bike. It's too much to learn on.
There's no real gap on twisty roads and running costs. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Shiver 900
What owners say
Strengths
- Comprehensive electronics package
- Smooth, torquey 90° V-twin
- Premium chassis and adjustable suspension
- Distinctive Italian styling and quality finish
Dorsoduro 900
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable upright riding position
- Confident handling and quality suspension
- Smooth and flexible V-twin engine
What they cost used
These prices compare a 6-year-old Shiver 900 with a 6-year-old Dorsoduro 900.
- Shiver 900
- about $6,400
- Dorsoduro 900
- about $9,200
At six years old, the Shiver 900 sits around $6,400 while the Dorsoduro 900 runs about $9,200. That's a $2,800 gap in the Shiver's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 896 cc
- Engine
- 90° V-twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 95 hp (70 kW)
- Torque
- 66 lb-ft (90 Nm)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Shiver 900 | Dorsoduro 900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 34.3 in (870 mm) |
| Wet weight | 470 lb (213 kg) | 467 lb (212 kg) |
| Shiver 900 | Dorsoduro 900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 44 mpg (US) / 5.31 L/100 km | 42 mpg (US) / 5.6 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 US gal (15 L) | 3.2 US gal (12 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Shiver 900 | Dorsoduro 900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Quickshifter | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Option | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
