By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Aprilia Shiver 900 (MY2017) vs KTM 790 Duke (MY2018)
Aprilia Shiver 900 vs KTM 790 Duke: which one's easier to live with every day.
You'll feel the first sharp bump split these two: the Aprilia Shiver 900's adjustable suspension soaks it up and keeps the bike planted under you. The KTM 790 Duke's WP fork sits on the soft side. It gives on the hit, and there's no clicker.
So which one do you buy?
The 790 Duke has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Nose ahead: 790 Duke
Through rush hour, the 790 Duke is a little easier to live with. The reason: a smaller footprint and easier maneuvering in tight spots.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: 790 Duke
Once the road starts to bend, the 790 Duke noses ahead. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear winner on value
The Shiver 900 costs less, but that gap doesn't settle which bike is the better buy. Neither is the clear better value for the money.
What makes each one tick
Shiver 900
The Shiver 900's V-twin pulls clean from low revs, then shoves hard through the middle of the rev range. It revs out without drama. Hard on the brake lever, the bike comes down from speed and its steel trellis frame doesn't get nervous. The bars keep talking right through the bend.
790 Duke
The 790 Duke's light trellis frame lets it flick from one lean to the next with the precision that earned it the Scalpel nickname. On the Angeles Crest Highway, the bike's quick to turn in and doesn't need a shove at the bar. At a hard pace there's too little damping, and the chassis starts to wander mid-corner. The exhaust barks like a V-twin.
Nils rode the 790 Duke in Hungary in 2019 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Shiver 900 has the lower seat: 31.9 in (810 mm) vs 32.5 in (825 mm).
- The 790 Duke has the lower wet weight: 417 lb (189 kg) vs 470 lb (213 kg).
- The 790 Duke makes more peak power: 105 hp (77 kW) vs 95 hp (70 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Neither of these is a mile-muncher. If big days are the plan, keep looking.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for it: 790 Duke
The 790 Duke makes too much power to start out on. Build your skills on something smaller first.
Traveling with luggage
Look elsewhere
Multi-day trips with luggage aren't their thing. Travel light, or travel on something else.
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
790 Duke
What owners say
Strengths
- Punchy, characterful parallel-twin engine
- Razor-sharp handling and agility
Trade-offs
- Non-adjustable suspension limits fine-tuning
Known problems to check before you buy
Shiver 900
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
790 Duke
- Premature camshaft wear The LC8c engine can suffer from soft cam lobes, leading to excessive wear and potential engine damage. Typically noticed at 12,000–19,000 mi (20,000–30,000 km) during valve checks.
- Coolant hose leaks The round radiator hoses do not seal well against the oval thermostat housing, causing coolant leaks. Common on 2018-2020 models.
- Immobilizer malfunction In cold weather or with a weak battery, the immobilizer may trigger a warning on the dash and prevent starting.
- Thermostat housing leak The factory plastic thermostat housing lacks a dedicated gasket and is prone to thermal warping, causing coolant to weep from the mating surface.
- Valve cover gasket leak The valve cover gasket can leak oil from the half-moon seals due to insufficient factory sealant. The leak often appears after moderate mileage and may eventually affect early production bikes.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 8-year-old Shiver 900 with an 8-year-old 790 Duke.
- Shiver 900
- about $6,200
- 790 Duke
- about $7,200
At eight years old, the Aprilia Shiver 900 sits around $6,200 while the KTM 790 Duke runs about $7,200. That's a $1,000 gap in the Shiver's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Shiver 900 | 790 Duke | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| Wet weight | 470 lb (213 kg) | 417 lb (189 kg) |
| Shiver 900 | 790 Duke | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 896 cc | 799 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin | Parallel twin |
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 105 hp (77 kW) |
| Torque | 66 lb-ft (90 Nm) | 64 lb-ft (87 Nm) |
| Shiver 900 | 790 Duke | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 44 mpg (US) / 5.31 L/100 km | 53 mpg (US) / 4.4 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 US gal (15 L) | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Shiver 900 | 790 Duke | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
