The iconic Aprilia Shiver motorcycle is making a comeback, this time on Chinese soil, under the designation APR900. This surprising turn of events comes as a result of the partnership between the Piaggio group and the Chinese company Zongshen, now known as “Zonsen”.
In early 2022, this joint venture announced plans to develop a 900cc twin-cylinder motorcycle in China. Now, it appears that this project is about to materialize, bringing back a renewed version of the Aprilia Shiver 900.
Chinese type-approval documents reveal the existence of the Aprilia APR900, whose style and specifications are virtually identical to the Aprilia Shiver 900, discontinued in Europe in 2021. Although the Shiver’s resurgence is not entirely unexpected, its final form is surprising, as previous evidence pointed to a possible reintroduction under the Gilera brand, also owned by the Piaggio group.
The 896cc V-twin engine was initially presented by Zonsen’s premium brand Cyclone, both in its RA9 concept bike and in a Gilera-branded version. Camouflaged prototypes, clearly based on the Shiver 900 but bearing Gilera logos, were also spotted in China.
However, the first homologated model to use the Aprilia Shiver 900 engine and chassis in China now appears as the Aprilia APR900. Technical specifications, including the 57.7-inch wheelbase and the 485-pound curb weight, are identical to the original model. Aesthetically, it features minor alterations to the side panels, while remaining faithful to the original design in other aspects.
The declared maximum power is 94 hp, similar to the previous model, with a top speed of 130 mph. The decision to retain the Aprilia brand may be due to its greater recognition in the Chinese market compared to Gilera.