|
2008 Aprilia SL
750 Shiver Twin Sets Middleweight Naked Benchmark
World’s first
motorcycle to feature ride-by-wire technology arrives in U.S. with a
limited-time high-tech bonus for enthusiasts
 NEW YORK, NY –
December 21, 2007 – American sport
bike enthusiasts who refuse to sacrifice rideability and comfort for spirited
performance and aggressive good looks have a tempting new solution – Aprilia’s
first-ever middleweight sport bike, the SL 750 Shiver. On sale in
the U.S. market in early 2008, the Shiver V-Twin is the first all-new,
middle-weight V-Twin to debut from the company’s Noale, Italy factory.
And, to celebrate the Shiver’s arrival and high-tech DNA, Aprilia USA is
adding one piece of unique “standard equipment” for a limited time – an Aprilia
Alpinestar Techno riding jacket, crafted to the same high standard as an Aprilia
motorcycle.
This bonus is available to enthusiasts who reserve
their Shiver with a $500 deposit prior to February 29, 2008 and take delivery
prior to March 31, 2008.
The 2008 Aprilia
Shiver combines Aprilia’s race-proven technology and functional design
philosophy with sophisticated components and materials never before available on
a 750cc motorcycle, such as the first-ever application of ride-by-wire throttle
control technology and the category’s first application of radial caliper race
brakes.
These rare standard features signal the Shiver’s serious
appreciation of an enthusiast’s performance demands, while the motorcycle’s
ultra-light weight, comfortable upright riding position and refined suspension
all create a motorcycle equally at home on city streets, highways or
serpentines.
The 2008 Aprilia
SL750 Shiver has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of
$8,999.00. Color choices for U.S. riders include Fever Silver and
Code Orange.
The
Engine: World-first Technology without the High
Maintenance
Aprilia’s
research and development team has equipped the SL 750 with more advanced
technology than ever offered on a mid-size motorcycle. At the
heart of the Shiver is a completely new 95-hp, 4-valve V-Twin engine, featuring
a double overhead camshaft with mixed chain and gear drive, electronic fuel
injection with two throttle bodies and plug caps with
integrated stick coils. Compact
and muscular, this latest generation Aprilia powerplant delivers reliable and
efficient performance across a broad torque band, with peak horsepower at 9000
revs and maximum torque of 59.7 ft.-lbs. available at just 7000 rpm.
In short, riders experience performance comparable to a four-cylinder
while enjoying the torque benefits of a twin. Among the many innovations that distinguish the Shiver is Aprilia’s
industry-first ride-by-wire engine technology, an innovative electronic
accelerator management system that optimizes the opening of the two throttle
bodies according to multiple parameters, including engine speed, gear selection,
throttle movement speed, temperature and atmospheric pressure.
As
a result, the engine always operates at peak efficiency, blending strong
performance with the lowest possible fuel consumption for a fluid, fuel
efficient ride even during warm-up and low or medium speeds. The
result is unsurpassed rideability.
In
addition to the Shiver’s revolutionary throttle control, a new-generation engine
management unit controls all engine parameters. Every data point
passes through a Controlled Area Network (CAN) line to the instrument panel,
which also acts as a diagnostic terminal. The CAN line uses just two cables to
transmit the data. This simplifies the electrical system enormously while
reducing the total weight of the bike.
Additional technical
innovations include a three-way
catalytic converter and Lambda probe oxygen sensor and a hydraulically operated
clutch.
A six-speed gear box ensures maximum riding enjoyment.
The
Chassis: A Supertough Lightweight
Aprilia’s motorsports successes aren’t just celebrated in the race shop –
the expertise gained from winning 36 world championships inspires and influences
every element of production motorcycle design – including the Aprilia SL 750
Shiver.
Tipping the scales at just 415.8 pounds, the Shiver has
been optimized to deliver the best possible performance at the lowest possible
weight. At the same time, engineers ensured that the Shiver comes
standard with category-leading torsional rigidity, yet another result of
Aprilia’s racing experience.
One of the
primary contributors to the Shiver’s agile, responsive ride quality is the
motorcycle’s superb chassis – a perennial Aprilia hallmark. The
Shiver chassis starts with a tubular steel trellis frame, connected to large
aluminum side plates with special high-strength bolts. A side-mounted shock
absorber creates space for the exhaust manifolds, whose shape and size have been
calibrated to ensure maximum energy efficiency.
The manifold
configuration is the perfect match for the Shiver’s compact wheelbase size of
only 56.7 inches. In addition, an aluminum swingarm with a
reinforcement truss has been sized specifically to support the asymmetrical
stress caused by the lateral positioning of the shock absorber. The swingarm’s rigidity also establishes a new standard for the class.
Suspension
and Brakes: Smooth as Silk, Stops on a Dime
As
the first 750cc motorcycle to feature radial caliper racing brakes, the Aprilia
SL 750 Shiver has been designed to be put through its paces. At
the same time, the bike is meant to be enjoyed on more leisurely excursions.
Contributing to the Shiver’s status as a motorcycle for all
reasons is a combination of suspension and brake systems that work in
synchronicity, offering both smooth rideability and pulse-pounding stopping
power.
Suspension
is a 43 mm upside down front fork
with
forged supports for the radial callipers, while 120 mm of wheel travel makes the
bike equally at home on about town trips and mountain routes. Both triple clamps
are crafted from forged aluminium.
The side shock absorber rests
directly on the swingarm, according to the cantilever principle, and provides
adjustments for both spring preload and hydraulic rebound. Rear
wheel travel is 130 mm.
The
category-first radial caliper system is second to none. The two
320mm front Brembo discs are identical to those found on Aprilia’s super sport
bikes, the RSV 1000 R and Tuono 1000 R.
In addition, a 245mm rear
disc with a single piston calliper provides fitting support for the front
brakes. Both front and
rear brakes use aeronautical metal braid hoses, guaranteeing maximum precision
and eliminating pressure variations associates with conventional rubber brake
lines.
A
Wealth of Premium Standard Equipment
Compare
an Aprilia to other motorcycles in the category, and you’ll be hard pressed to
find its equal when it comes to the quality and scope of its standard
equipment. The 2008 Aprilia SL 750 Shiver is no
exception.
The
Shiver’s high-tech instrument panel combines digital and analog features. It also serves as the Shiver’s intelligence and self-diagnostics
center. The design is extremely modern, compact and lightweight,
with all functions easily controlled via handlebar-mounted switches. The LED
backlighting can be adjusted to three brightness levels.
The
tapered aluminium handlebars were inspired by the Aprilia Tuono, the company’s
award-winning 1000cc Naked Twin. Extremely light weight and
designed for maximum control, enthusiasts will not find the same caliber of
handlebars on any other motorcycle in the category.
Additional
world-class components include a double parabola
front light with complex surfaces and a double parking light, and an advanced
hydraulic clutch with self-adjustment for maintenance free use and precise
control.
Design:
Form and Function in Perfect Harmony
The Aprilia
design philosophy never compromises form for function – or vice versa.
Instead, the Aprilia Style Center, today headed by legendary motorcycle
designer Miguel Angel Galuzzi, focuses on creating motorcycles that are
innovative both visually and technically – with every design element a logical
evolution of the component’s purpose.
The Aprilia SL
750 Shiver’s tank-seat-tail assembly is one example of this philosophy. The strongly tapered tail emphasizes the bike’s aggressive stance and
compactness and supports the design target of keeping overall weight to a
minimum. The assembly also incorporates twin exhausts with
triangular silencers, further emphasizing the sporty design while keeping weight
distribution highly symmetrical. Finally, the side shock absorber
adds another note of aggressiveness, while also enabling the fit of a compact
exhaust system.
To further add to
the Shiver’s distinctive character, Aprilia’s technical team even specified that
the motorcycle’s exhaust notes should deliver unique thrills. Engineers teamed up with automaker Alfa Romeo for a series of computer
simulations, exploring variations of exhaust tones that would perfectly
complement the Shiver’s personality. The result is
a brand new naked Italian Twin that doesn’t just turn heads, but captures hearts
and minds on any riding occasion.
About Aprilia and
Piaggio Group Americas
Aprilia world
headquarters are in Noale (Venice, Italy). Founded in 1962, the company designs
and manufactures motorcycles in Noale, with additional production facilities in
Scorzè.
With 36 motorcycling world championship titles (30 road and 6 off-road)
under its belt, Aprilia is the only European manufacturer to have a complete on-
and off-road model portfolio, ranging from sporty scooters, innovative off-road
bikes and tough adventure tourers to award-winning super sport bikes.
For
information on Aprilia's complete U.S. model line, visit the company's website
at www.apriliausa.com.
In December 2004
Aprilia became part of the Piaggio Group, Europe's leading manufacturer of two
wheelers and one of the world's most recognized and respected names in
motorcycle and scooter production.
With over 6,700
employees, an annual production of more than 680,000 vehicles, 5 R&D
centers, 7 production facilities in Europe and Asia, and operations in over 50
countries, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European 2
wheeler market. Its production includes scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the
50cc to 1,200 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera,
Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands.
|
