The Gilera brand, part of the Piaggio Group, has a rich history but has been somewhat overlooked compared to its sister companies like Moto Guzzi and Aprilia. However, there’s a new effort to revive Gilera in China through a joint venture with Zongshen Piaggio Foshan. This collaboration aims to bring back the Gilera name on a range of motorcycles.
As someone who previously owned the 2016 Aprilia Shiver 750, the motorcycle was considered the most affordable Italian steed you can own in Malaysia.
However, Aprilia decided to close the book on the motorcycle after the subdued introduction of the 900cc model back in 2019.
The Shiver 900 could not replicate the success of the 750; moreover, the price tag of a whooping RM72k (in Malaysia) was not helpful since Aprilia Malaysia sold the CKD’s 750 for half the price a few years earlier.
Nevertheless, for those still ‘longing’ for the Shiver 900, worry not as Aprilia has decided to revive the motorcycle under a new name.
The Aprilia Shiver 900 will continue to live on but with a different badge, namely Gilera.
While there is yet an official announcement from Gilera’s parent company, Piaggio, the Gilera-born Shiver 900, was recently seen in China.
Despite clad in camouflage, the motorcycle is undoubtedly a Shiver 900. However, the front headlamp and TFT screen, which previously showcased the Aprilia badge, is now replaced with the Gilera name.
Thanks to Piaggio Group’s recent partnership with Zongshen, the China-based company will manufacture Shiver and Dorsoduro 900.
However, the latest reports do not confirm if Gilera’s revival will be a global effort; instead, the reborn Shiver and Dorsoduro could be sold in China only.
Nevertheless, looking at how interesting the recent developments between Piaggio and their Chinese counterpart are, the future looks great for Gilera.
Aprilia telah mendedahkan Pegaso dual-sport mungkin dihidupkan semula sebagai pengganti tidak langsung model Shiver dan Dorsodoro yang akan dihentikan pengeluaran.
Jentera ini, yang asalnya kelas supermoto, telah dilancarkan pada tahun 1992 sebagai salah satu produk pertengahan dengan enjin 650cc, tetapi digugurkan dari senarai harga pada tahun 2009, diganti oleh kombinasi Shiver dan Dorsodoro.
Walaubagaimanapun, pada masa hadapan sejarah mungkin berbalik, menurut pengurus pemasaran Aprilia Cristian Barelli yang berkata syarikat itu sedang meletakkan fokus kepada meluaskan platform 660 baru untuk memasukkan lebih dari tiga model yang disahkan.
Aprilia telah fokus pada membangunkan dan meluaskan platform kelas menengah 660cc silinder berkembar yang bermula dengan RS sportsbike dan diikuti oleh Tuono.
“Pada awal projek, kami memikirkan apakah yang akan menjadi debut pertama, RS, Tuono atau Tuareg. Kami memutuskan untuk memulakan dengan RS kerana DNA Aprilia asalnya dalam segmen sukan dan ia merupakan sebahagian daripada sejarah kami, oleh itu kelihatan tepat untuk bermula dari sana.
“Kemudian kami ingin menawarkan sesuatu yang berbeza, berbanding dengan sportsbike yang sudah ditawarkan. Pasaran kecil berkembang, dan lambat laun penunggang tersebut ingin menukar basikal dan berkembang. Namun, mereka sudah tentu tidak akan fokus pada sukan supersport atau 600 kerana ia jauh lebih tinggi dari tahap kemasukan. Kita boleh menjadi penyelesaian yang tepat.
“Kami memikirkannya [Pegaso]. Kami mempunyai banyak idea kerana enjin membolehkan kami modulariti yang hebat. Kita hanya perlu memutuskan apa yang harus dilakukan terlebih dahulu. Segmen crossover adalah segmen yang sangat menarik yang kita lihat dengan penuh minat,” kata Barelli.
Namun begitu, pengesahan rasmi bahawa Shiver dan Dorsodoro tidak akan diperbaharui bukanlah sesuatu yang mengejutkan.
Model ini tidak diperbaharui dalam sesi kemas kini terbaru untuk memastikan model Aprilia memenuhi piawaian Euro5, dan di UK model-model itu telah pun digugurkan dari senarai harga.
“Setakat ini kami tidak merancang untuk meningkatkannya menjadi Euro5. Kami memberi tumpuan kepada platform baru yang lebih moden ini. Enjin 660 mempunyai susun atur yang dapat dimanfaatkan dalam beberapa cara. Ia sangat padat, membolehkan pembinaan pelbagai jenis bingkai untuk pelbagai aplikasi. “
Aprilia has hit colossal success ever since the introduction of the RS660 end of last year and the recent launched of the Tuono 660.
Sharing the same 660cc platform, Aprilia seems to be proud with the new unit (now Euro 5) which is also scheduled to power the upcoming middleweight adventure bike, the Tuareg 660.
The RS660 borrows styling cues from the established RSV4 1100 while the Tuono 660 (you guessed it right) drawn from its bigger sibling, Tuono 1100.
However, to progress, the Italian marque looks set to axe two models from its Noale factory, the Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro due to Euro 5 emission.
Both Shiver and Dorsoduro are the only models with Euro-4 engine, and that means if Aprilia plans to continue putting this in every dealer in Europe, it has to be Euro-5 compliant.
It is impractical for Aprilia to update the 900cc V-Twin engine to comply with Euro-5 and the fact that they are preoccupied with the 660cc unit, shifting their focus anytime soon do not add up.
Which brings us to the question, will Shiver and Dorsoduro be born again with the same 660cc Euro-5 platform?
The RS660 is a middleweight sportbike however unlike the dedicated supersport segment, the RS (an acronym for RennSport) is not designed for competition; instead, it is made for the street.
Meanwhile, the Tuono 660 provides a much comfortable riding ergonomics with taller handlebars and fall within the ‘naked’ sports motorcycle.
With the two 660 portrayed as a street machine, there is very little room for Shiver and Dorsoduro to make their mark again.
Personally, Shiver and Dorsoduro had an incredible run, and if Aprilia decides to bring back either one of these, it might not be anytime soon.
At the moment, let us enjoy the new revolution of the Noale factory via the RS, Tuono and the upcoming Tuareg 660.
By the way, we heard the RS600 may be launching soon in Malaysia!
They say all good things will come to their end sooner or later, and it looks like Aprilia might be axing two very legendary names from their production line soon. We are of course referring to the Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro. Why? Euro5 emissions, that’s why. (more…)
Didi Resources Sdn Bhd (Aprilia Official Malaysia) telah melancarkan tawaran terkini mereka untuk pasaran Malaysia iaitu Aprilia Shiver 900 2019. Ini merupakan model baharu pertama yang dilancarkan oleh mereka setelah mengambil alih tugasan menjaga jenama Itali premium ini di dalam negara bertempat di The Gasket Alley, Petaling Jaya. (more…)
We’ve ridden the Aprilia Shiver 750 in many occasions. We came away impressed with its handling, performance, reliability and value for money. But none of the new Aprilia Shiver 900 made its way to Malaysia. We hope that will change now that Aprilia is under a new custodian.
The Shiver 900 enters its third year of production in 2019 (introduced in 2017). As such, the Noale-based manufacturer updates it for the new year, although not by much. Why change perfection?
First of all, there is a new exhaust system to liberate gasses more efficiently. Engine power remains unchanged at 95 bhp and 89.5 Nm, but the real gain is in smooth throttle and predictable engine response.
The Aprilia Shiver 750 was the first production motorcycle fitted with a Ride-by-Wire throttle. The Shiver 900 continues this legacy, hence the inclusion of ride modes. However, the 2019 model gets the Marelli 7SM ECU (which is shared with the RSV4 and Tuono 1100 V4). It allows adjustment of traction control levels or turned off entirely.
ABS is a standard Continental dual-channel unit but there’s no IMU-based cornering ABS. The 4.3-inch TFT dash (same as the RSV4 and Tuono’s) now features multimedia connectivity, music and navigation.
The 2019 model is offered in Challenging Red and Innovation Dark colours.
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