Ducati Monster Forum

I apologize in advance more even mentioning another motorcycle brand.  However, I was reading some reviews about the M696 vs the Aprilia Shiver 750, and almost all the reviewers went with the Aprilia.

Has anyone owned or ridden the Aprilia Shiver?  Is it really that much better then the Monster?

It's tall.  Probably too tall for me.

I'll have a better report in a few weeks once I have a chance to ride my cousin's again for a longer stretch.

worked at a duc/aprilia/triumph dealer so i've ridden both plenty

The shiver is a better commuter because it's a full upright position

aside from that i'd have to give everything else to the duc

like the engine better, handeling, styling, dealer network, community

i'll tell you more in detail if you want, have to run now though

It's a good looking motorcycle, but nothing beats the Monster for me.

there was a comparison between these two about a year ago in cycle world  think, they liked the 696 more.  Biggest difference was the bikes personality.  One has one and the other, well...

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/8/2444/Motorcycle-Article/Aprilia-Shiver-vs-Ducati-Monster-696.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/8/2444/Motorcycle-Article/Aprilia-Shiver-vs-Ducati-Monster-696.aspx)

My little brother just picked up a Shiver, (as compared to my S2R800) I got a nice little test drive in, yep it is tall I'm 6'1" 225 and was on the balls of my feet sitting on it.  Now it had pretty bald tires and it was only 9C out so I had to be a little careful, but I have to admit I love the 750 engine, it has a nice bit of torque and good pickup 95 hp vs 77 for the S2R 800.  It would take a bit to get use to the digital read out as opposed to my analog but still pretty easy to identify that I was moving pretty quick down a side street. Smooth shifting bike,  very upright position on the bike and the bars didn't seem as wide as the ducati's but I'd have to measure to see if that impression is true or not.  The Brakes were good, it is quick into the corners as aggressive as I was willing to try with it being cold out.  The three engine mode is a bit of fun, previous owner had used rain mode once and swore by it, claimed it made a huge difference in comfort level on slick roads, I tried the touring mode as well as sport and you could easily feel the difference, I could see using it on cold wet days to keep the engine a little more tame.

I expecting to get a bit more of a ride on it in a couple of weeks once it is safetied and registered, but from what I experienced it was a blast.  Now, the only reason little bro went with the Shiver was he got it from 6000 vs the 8500 that everyone is asking for a year old duc 696, he preferred the height of the duc but this was too good a deal.

If it comes down to the two, I'd say the ride height could be a deal breaker, if that isn't then it probably comes down to price, I'm not sure anyone uses all the hp available to either bike on the street (and isn't swimming in tickets) so the additional 15 hp on the shiver is a nice to have. 

I was mildly considering the Shiver 750 when I was getting ready to buy.  Ive always wanted the Monster but I felt like I should at least LOOK at the Shiver..  I dont think its quite as attractive as the 696, and I liked the more sport like riding position of the Monster better...and Im way too short for the Shiver.  The dealer I bought from doesnt sell Aprilia but has a deal with Piaggio so COULD sell them (Apparently Piaggio bought Aprilia and Motoguzi..?)  His thoughts were that its a good motorcycle, but they have poor support as far as service and also parts.  And, its not a Duc.  I decided to follow my gut and get the Monster, and I really havent looked back!