Photo: original photo by autoevolution
We haven’t made it to Intermot so we had to wait for EICMA 2014 to set eyes on Aprilia’s new Caponord 1200 iteration. The 2015 Caponord has also received a Rally suffix, but honestly, it looks like this is only a name, and no real tough-as-nails features have been added to the bike. Before anything, we hope that Aprilia has sorted out the wiring issues which used to plague the older Caponord 1200 models.
The package Aprilia brings to the big-bore adventure-touring segment is quite alluring as you can tell judging by our live photo gallery. The bike brings a hefty set of upgrades, but the touring-focused amenities make a huge difference. Some argued that the RSV front end design is over-used, but we believe this is a bit exaggerated.
The Caponord is not a groundbreaking machine, but it has gone a really long way from the older ETV1000 model. Displacement went up, the frame was changed and the overall performance also got better. And compared to many other big-bore similar tourers, the 1200 Rally comes with wire spoked wheels, which definitely give it the upper hand on rough roads and off the asphalt strip.
The bike is delivered with ride by wire and three engine maps, traction control, cruise control and switchable ABS, but it also crosses over to the modern high-tech side with semi-active dynamic damping suspensions with skyhook algorithms and acceleration-driven damping strategies. The suspension performance is now constant through the entire settings range, adding both safety and comfort.
The 2015 Caponord 1200 Rally is also equipped with crashbars, aluminium bash plates, a tall, adjustable windscreen, hand guards, panniers, auxiliary lights and pretty much anything you could ever want from a modern touring bike.
A 19” front wheel was used, and this might make off-roading a bit harder in certain scenarios. However, with Continental TrailAttack tires, anything more than dry gravel would anyway be a tough nut to crack. The 24-liter (6.3 US gal) tank should provide decent range, and this might do just fine.
Oh, and one more thing; the bashplate from underneath looks too flimsy for taking the bike on a seriour off-road route. Same thing goes for the lower radiator "protection" wire mesh, which seems to be only glued to the frame.
The Caponord is not a groundbreaking machine, but it has gone a really long way from the older ETV1000 model. Displacement went up, the frame was changed and the overall performance also got better. And compared to many other big-bore similar tourers, the 1200 Rally comes with wire spoked wheels, which definitely give it the upper hand on rough roads and off the asphalt strip.
A super-equipped machine
Have a look at this machine as it's sitting here on the show grounds and you might say that Aprilia has loaded every last bit of technology in the Caponord 1200 Rally… and it may be so.The bike is delivered with ride by wire and three engine maps, traction control, cruise control and switchable ABS, but it also crosses over to the modern high-tech side with semi-active dynamic damping suspensions with skyhook algorithms and acceleration-driven damping strategies. The suspension performance is now constant through the entire settings range, adding both safety and comfort.
The 2015 Caponord 1200 Rally is also equipped with crashbars, aluminium bash plates, a tall, adjustable windscreen, hand guards, panniers, auxiliary lights and pretty much anything you could ever want from a modern touring bike.
A 19” front wheel was used, and this might make off-roading a bit harder in certain scenarios. However, with Continental TrailAttack tires, anything more than dry gravel would anyway be a tough nut to crack. The 24-liter (6.3 US gal) tank should provide decent range, and this might do just fine.
Oh, and one more thing; the bashplate from underneath looks too flimsy for taking the bike on a seriour off-road route. Same thing goes for the lower radiator "protection" wire mesh, which seems to be only glued to the frame.
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