The subject of leaked images, the Aprilia Caponord 1200 was officially unveiled at EICMA last week. The big, powerful v-twin adventure bike does not disappoint in its specifications. Although based on the manic Dorsoduro 1200 we thoroughly enjoyed during testing, the new Caponord nevertheless receives significant chassis and engine changes to suit its unique purpose. These include, but are not limited to, much larger fuel tank (6.34 gallons), increased wheelbase and revised rake/trail geometry for improved high speed stability, and greater torque delivered lower in the rpm range. The Caponord 1200 also gets much higher alternator output (a big jump from 450 watts to 690 watts) to power all those goodies long distance travelers employ.
The Caponord 1200 features the latest computer controlled systems, including ride-by-wire throttle, three selectable engine maps, defeatable ABS, defeatable and adjustable traction control and available cruise control and electronic adjustable suspension damping (Aprilia Dynamic Damping or ADD).
The available “Travel Pack” adds the ADD, cruise control, center stand and saddlebags. All together, the Caponord 1200 represents a very serious contender in the adventure touring category. Below is the complete press release from Aprilia, with additional photos:
APRILIA REVOLUTIONIZES THE ADVENTURE SEGMENT, CREATING THE PERFECT BIKE FOR TRAVEL, FUN AND DAY TO DAY USE. THE NEW CAPONORD 1200 TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE EXPERIENCE APRILIA HAS ACQUIRED IN TOP LEVEL COMPETITION, MAKING – ONCE AGAIN – TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TO ALL.
SAFETY, PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT COME TOGETHER IN A NEW BALANCE, A NEW FRONTIER DESTINED AS ALWAYS TO BE THE REFERENCE POINT, THANKS IN PART TO THE INTRODUCTION OF “ADD”, THE PATENTED, CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY, SEMI-ACTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE LATEST INNOVATION FROM APRILIA, TOGETHER WITH CRUISE CONTROL, COMPLETES THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS SUITE THAT COMES STANDARD ON THE CAPONORD 1200, SUCH AS RIDE BY WIRE MULTIMAP ACCELERATOR, TRACTION CONTROL WHICH CAN BE ADJUSTED TO THREE LEVELS, AS WELL AS TWO CHANNEL ABS.
The new standard
After shocking the naked sport bike world with the incredible Tuono V4 R and after creating the best superbike of the new millennium, the super fast RSV4, Aprilia aims at leaving an indelible sign in the street enduro segment as well, achieving the objective and exclusive objective of obtaining a perfect balance between sport and comfort. Introducing Caponord 1200, the perfect bike for any occasion. Easy to handle and agile in the city, thanks to its advanced and lightweight chassis, quick and fun in the countryside, thanks to its sophisticated electronic management and its generous twin cylinder engine, comfortable for rider and passenger in touring due to the particular attention to ergonomic detail and its excellent protection against the air, thanks to wind tunnel shape studies.
Caponord is not a new name for Aprilia: the first ETV 1000 Caponord, introduced in 2001, represented an advanced interpretation of the street enduro concept, boasting distinctive elements such as the dual beam chassis in aluminium and the 998 cc 98 HP twin cylinder engine, both clearly sports derivations. More than ten years have passed and in the meantime Aprilia motorcycle technology has taken leaps forward: the proverbial ability to build exceptional chassis has been joined by top notch skill in applied electronics, thanks to the experience gained in top level racings, which has always been the maximum centre of research and development for Aprilia of solutions which are then used in factory models. Proof of this is in the characteristics of power and especially the torque of the 1200 V2 engine, completely revamped to provide the maximum in terms of power output and riding pleasure. The needs and desires of bikers have also changed, attracted as never before by the global bike, that is, the bike which is capable of providing great satisfaction in any riding conditions. Caponord 1200 aims to establish a meeting place between the new needs of bikers and Aprilia’s technological skills.
THE MOTORCYCLE
The three-fold personality typical of Italian design combined with a sleek body: these are the primary characteristics of a long series that sets the Caponord 1200 apart. Form and function find a point of contact. The sport nature comes through clearly in the stylistic traits: the distinctive Aprilia “gaze” characterises the Caponord 1200 too. Numerous wind tunnel sessions designed the shapes of the top fairing and the windshield with adjustable height in order to ensure the best aerodynamic penetration, with particular attention given to the indispensable protection of the rider and passenger against the wind. To guarantee maximum comfort in touring use, the handguards and particular side fairing profiles come into play, designed not to be invasive, but to offer plenty of protection. The same concept characterises the Caponord 1200 chassis: the new Aprilia has a frame made of steel piping and forged aluminium plates, a true and proper modern sculpture which deserves to be left on display. The mixed structure guarantees the right amount of rigidity and the essential characteristics of stability and precision expected from every Aprilia, allowing the Caponord 1200 to rise above where its rivals stop – in sport riding. The perfect balance between sport and touring is an alchemy that only those with in depth know-how like Aprilia are able to create.
The erect and relaxed riding position is the fruit of specific ergonomic studies to find a dominant position, but one that would not be tiring during long trips; the saddle, enhanced by its elegant red stitching to give it a racing flavour, has a particularly comfortable cushion and sits just 840 mm off the ground, allowing riders of any height to always be in full control of the vehicle at a standstill. The passenger accommodations were also given particular attention: the portion of the saddle, large and flat, is separate from the rider’s seat and shaped in such a way that prevents sliding forward, guaranteeing optimum comfort in any riding situation, while the grab handles provide a firm and comfortable grip. “Rotational” technology allowed a thin walled nylon tank to be realised with great freedom of shape, favouring a reduction in weight. This way the lateral dimensions were reduced to a minimum and cater to the perfect leg position for the rider. The 24 litre capacity guarantees a range of more than 300 km with one fill-up.
The Caponord 1200 design was conceived from the beginning considering the bike panniers as an integral part of the vehicle: this, together with the choice to adopt a layout of the exhaust system with a low silencer, allowed dimensions to be contained significantly. The 29 litre capacity panniers, once installed, stay particularly adherent to the tail fairing profile (total dimensions stop at just 908 mm) and they do not create any inconvenience for the passenger, facilitating mounting and riding comfort. Aprilia also considered sport purists: the silencer is height adjustable, in the event that the panniers are not fitted, giving it a more sporty and aggressive look. The colour coded panniers which match the bodywork that you’ll find in the rich Caponord 1200 accessories catalogue, do not require any further hardware for installation, thereby leaving the clean lines of the motorcycle unaltered when they are not installed.
AVAILABLE OUTFITTING
Caponord 1200 has a wealth of standard equipment which includes, but is not limited to:
- Ride by Wire system
- Three engine maps, Sport, Touring and Rain
- ABS (which can be disabled)
- ATC (which can be disabled and adjusted to 3 different settings)
- Adjustable windshield
- Hand guard
The Travel Pack outfitting adds:
- ADD (Aprilia Dynamic Damping)
- Cruise Control
- Shock absorber with built in piggy back, spring preload electrically adjustable to 4 predefined settings (rider only, rider and passenger, rider only with panniers, rider and passenger with panniers)
- Pair of panniers colour coded to match the body
- Center stand
These last two items are available in the rich accessories catalogue even for Caponord 1200 standard customers.
CHASSIS
Caponord 1200 stems from the technical base of the sporty and efficient Dorsoduro 1200, the reference fun-bike of the sector; nonetheless, given the different way the two motorcycles are used, the chassis of the new Aprilia has been extensively modified. The layout of the frame is still a mixed structure, made up of a trellis in high resistance steel tubes connected to a pair of die cast aluminium plates. This exclusive and well tested configuration allows a perfect balance of weights to be achieved, as well as optimum torsional and longitudinal rigidity values. The frame has undergone an in depth revamping, seeking to raise the bar for the segment in terms of handling, without neglecting high standards of stability at the high speeds which the powerful twin cylinder is capable of reaching. The new rear subframe ensures extreme solidity for trips with a full load, while the lateral positioning of the shock absorber, which connects the frame to the aluminium swingarm, is useful for providing the right amount of space for the exhaust manifold, leaving the unit far from heat sources in a position which favours any adjustments that may be required. Caponord 1200 has a manually adjustable shock absorber in spring preload and in rebound hydraulics as well as a completely adjustable USD fork (rebound, compression and spring preload) with 43 mm stanchions made precious by cast shell mounting brackets. The extremely lightweight aluminium wheels, both 17 inches, stem from the ones which equip the super sport RSV4 and they contribute to reducing gyroscopic moments of unsuspended weight to a minimum, all to the advantage of handling. The wheels are shod with tyres which were designed and developed specifically for this type of bike; thanks in part to the generous cross section of the rear tyre (190/55), they are able to accommodate even the rider’s most extreme leans as well as ensuring maximum grip on slippery surfaces. The particular sculpting of the tread provides the further possibility of safely tackling light off road routes, in search of a more adventurous type of touring. The Brembo braking system provides, on the front end, a pair of floating 320 mm steel discs and monoblock callipers with 4 pistons and radial connection. The rear mounts a single piston floating calliper that grips a 240 mm disc. An advanced two-channel ABS system which can be disengaged completes the standard equipment.
THE ENGINE
Caponord 1200 shares the same exceptional engine base as the Dorsoduro 1200. The Aprilia twin cylinder boasts extremely advanced construction technology and a careful study of internal fluid dynamics aimed at improving combustion, decreasing friction and maximising performance. The engine was the object of some significant revamping, both in software and hardware, in order to obtain more progressive power output from low rpms (to the advantage of comfort) and to enhance riding pleasure thanks to even higher torque values (to the advantage of fun), at the same time improving fuel economy.
The general specifications of the Caponord 1200 engine are:
- Twin cylinder 90° V
- Max power: 128 HP @ 8.500 rpm; Max torque: 85 ft. lbs @ 6,500 rpm;
- Triple map Ride by Wire technology (with Sport, Touring and Rain maps);
- Highly oversquare bore/stroke ratio which is highlighted by the sport attitude and increases the amount of power generated from a low RPM;
- Offset cylinders for maximum lateral compactness;
- Double overhead camshafts driven by a mixed chain/gear valve timing system and four valves per cylinder;
- Twin spark ignition for fluid but full power output;
- Speed density type electronic fuel injection with two throttle bodies and micro-nebuliser injectors;
- Stick-coils integrated in spark plug boots;
- Three-way catalytic converter with double oxygen sensor;
- Hydraulically operated clutch.
First and foremost the gear ratios have been modified in order to increase manageability at low rpms and to take full advantage of the power that this powerful highly supercharged 90° V twin cylinder engine is capable of. The change to the final drive ratios contributes to increasing top speed, thereby allowing the engine to turn at lower rpms while travelling on the motorway, saving fuel and increasing comfort. A child of the experience Aprilia has gained in racing, which has resulted in an amazing 51 world titles in just a few years, the ultra compact twin from Noale is a work of Italian art even from an aesthetics point of view. Credit for this goes to the great efforts of the engineers in imagining an ultra modern engine where the data transportation system travels through a CAN line which has the benefit of decreasing the amount of electrical cables needed. The 690W alternator is new, more powerful and able to easily supply power to the various electrical accessories available in the rich optional equipment catalogue.
ELECTRONICS: THE MOST IN SOPHISTICATION AND RELIABILITY
Aprilia was the first to believe in the Ride by Wire system, the electronic type accelerator introduced on the Shiver 750 as far back as 2007, the fruit of extremely sophisticated technology, once reserved only for competition bikes, which helps the rider to get the most out of the bike’s performance potential. On the Caponord 1200 the level of effectiveness and reliability of this system as reached a new peak. The RbW system dialogues perfectly with the engine ECU, managing the power in the best possible way at each point of the power output arc in order to have jerk-free manageability at low RPM, extreme responsiveness at medium RPM and exemplary spurts at high RPM. An efficient engine also provides the indisputable advantage of optimising fuel economy.
With its triple maps (Rain, Touring and Sport), which the rider can select even with the bike in motion, provides the possibility of having a bike with three distinct personalities, able to instantly adapt to any possible condition and preference. The rider needs only close the throttle and press a button to choose the desired setting.
SPORT: maximum performance with responsive and direct power output in order to satisfy an aggressive riding style.
TOURING: the maximum power expressed is the same as the Sport mapping, but output becomes more fluid and suitable for daily riding or touring.
RAIN: power is limited to 100 HP in order to guarantee maximum control and safety in conditions of poor grip.
ABS and traction control (ATC) can both be disengaged and they are both standard equipment on the Caponord 1200. The two channel ABS system is particularly finely calibrated and allows the rider to take full advantage of the chassis potential in sport riding without every being invasive, even in the most intense braking operations, whilst still guaranteeing maximum safety on slippery surfaces. ATC (Aprilia Traction Control) is the exclusive traction control system derived from the Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) system on the extraordinary RSV4, designed and fine tuned by Aprilia to get maximum grip out of any type of surface, able to give the rider great riding confidence, simultaneously increasing safety. The 3 levels of control can be adjusted based on different riding styles and asphalt conditions:
Level 1: for a pure sport riding experience, all fun and adrenaline.
Level 2: suitable for the city and touring and in general to manage the engine’s great power on any route.
Level 3: ideal for safety taking on difficult situations such as low grip surfaces, staying in complete control.
Caponord 1200 is also available in the Travel Pack outfitting which includes ADD, Cruise Control, centre stand and side panniers.
ADD (Aprilia Dynamic Damping) is the brand new semi-active dynamic suspension system developed by Aprilia and patent protected, the reference point in motorcycling all over the world for technology, efficiency and reliability. After APRC, the highly sophisticated “package” of electronics systems which equips the RSV4 and Tuono V4, once again Aprilia demonstrates that they are pioneers in the field of electronics applied to bikes, introducing the suspension system which uses automotive components to guarantee maximum reliability: a glance to the future, thanks to its vast possibilities of development and diversified applications.
The system measures the energy transmitted to the vehicle by the harshness of the asphalt, recognises the riding phases (acceleration, deceleration, braking, constant throttle) and adapts the suspension calibration in order to maximise comfort and maintain the bike’s balance.
All of this is possible thanks to the exclusive patented method which combines the principles of the skyhook and acceleration driven damping algorithms – well known in the motoring world – allowing maximum performance to be achieved across the entire fork and shock absorber frequency range.
In the electromechanical calibration suspension systems already available on the market, the rider presses a button on the handlebar to activate an electric motor which changes the suspension set-up. In the Aprilia ADD dynamic semi-active suspension system, on the other hand, all the rider has to do is ride.
The Travel Pack includes a built in piggy back shock absorber, electrically adjustable in spring preload to 4 predefined positions, indicated by specific icons on the digital instrument panel: rider only, rider with passenger, only rider with panniers and rider and passenger with panniers.
Aprilia Cruise Control allows the desired speed to be set and maintained even on uphills and downhills, without touching the throttle control. The system disengages automatically if the rider touches any of the brake/clutch Cruise Control commands and is very useful on long motorway routes because it helps save fuel and makes the ride less tiring. It is a perfect ally to eat up miles stress-free astride the Caponord 1200.
The completely digital instrument panel that equips the Caponord 1200 is all new: The LCD combines the speedometer, rev counter, total and two trip odometers, fuel level and coolant temperature. There is also a selected mapping indicator (S,T,R) as well as the shock absorber electric spring preload indicator (where available). The engaged gear is also indicated, as well as the ATC level adjustment and heated handgrip operation (available as a separate option).
The series of warning lights on the side include the fuel reserve, ABS and ATC engaged/disengaged and Cruse Control (where available).
There non of them starbucks down them dirt roads lol
nobody else notice they are bragging about a roto-molded Nylon fuel tank, as in previous generation Multistrada class action?
My RST 1000 Futura had a plastic tank, in 2002 – and it worked fine. What was the problem was….fuel fittings, bad plumbing, poor grounding, burnt starters, and various OTHER electrical issues the dealer’s ‘certified’ tech could never figure out.
Sure was a good lookin’ bike but I threw away silly amounts of money trying to make that bike work properly before I gave up and sold it with fewer miles on any bike than I’ve ever quit on before.
just sayin’…
For what this thing costs I could buy an XR650L AND a KLR650 for crying out loud.
Yeah, but then you’ld have to RIDE those outmoded slugs.
Like riding this over priced POS is so great.
How would you know?
I’m 62 and have owned 50+ motorcycles. One pre-requisite is that I need to like looking at my bikes. I would not flip the garage light on at midnight, just to admire this thing.
Maybe I’m finally getting old.
The last time I flipped the light switch on at midnight, my BMW was raping a friend’s Yamaha. I was shocked. But it was cool having a litter of a half-dozen minibikes nine months later.
re: “I’m 62 and have owned 50+ motorcycles. One pre-requisite is that I need to like looking at my bikes. I would not flip the garage light on at midnight, just to admire this thing.”
whether a roadracing fan or not, here’s a gent who understands the USP wsbk holds over motogp. twas ezpelata’s “sword of damocles”.
I was hoping someone would make yet another BMW copy. Thanks aprilla! My choice was limited to only dozens of models in this ‘genre’ before you came along.
Help, I lost my beak!
People complain about the Diavel being ugly? – (I disagree)
Look here… now this is an ugly bike… actually a HIDEOUS bike!
“adventure bike” is nothing more than marketing speak for “capable sport tourer”. That said, this bike looks like it would be both all-day comfortable AND fun on any paved surface and at least managable on gravel roads.
Before “adventure bike” was marketing speak for “capable sport tourer” it was sales speak for “bike people will actually buy”.
Kinda reminds me of… just about every new bike coming out!
I still love my 07 Tiger1050. Does most all of what these newer ones do, with less weight, (Multistrada is lighter) and a great motor and chassis. Still terrible for anything above a smooth dirt road though. Not terribly adventurous!
As a Futura owner who would like to buy a new motorcycle, I’ve been giving a close look and consideration to this bike. Ultimately I’ve decided to reject it because for me it does not offer enough lower leg wind and weather protection.
The adventure touring bike craze is for the same people who buy SUV’s, for no other reason than it being the trend of the in crowd.
It is like Ducati becoming the choice bike of Squids.
HD has it’s won “Park and Polish” following.
Not to bash any bike or brand but there are those who’s choice in bikes has nothing to do with riding.
No, you are wrong. Some of us buy adventure touring bikes because; a) We really do tour on them. They hold lots of gear and have great big gas tanks. Handy on a modified “4 corners” ride we did this past summer. b) They are big and roomy. At 6’4″ 270, I make most bikes look like mini bikes ridden by the Shriners in a parade. I need something this big to feel comfortable on. c) They have tons of torque and handle like a cat on velcro. So when the riding gets “spirited”, do try to keep up, OK Squidbert? Us old guys have better things to do than wait for the likes of you.
As a guy who’s ridden his V-Strom in the Alcan 5000, several AMA dual sport events, the Magruder Corridor etc. I think you’re overgeneralizing.
This is just wrong!
Everyone knows hipsters ride ducati’s and squids are on the gsxrs.
So how is this a totally-new concept? Did nobody at Aprilia ever hear about the Ducati Multistrada 1200?
Don’t you mean BMW GS. Buy the way all you adventure bike nay sayer’s poke yur nose over the average GS guy’s odo and you’ll see pleny of miles on em.
I do my fair share of long distance riding, my last trip was 6000 miles plus, and by far the most dominate bike on the roads was Harley touring rigs. They out number any touring bike 50 to 1. I was on a wing at the time and on my trip saw maybe 6 wings. Where are all these adventure bikes? With most of us living in suburbia guess the asphalt jungle is a close to nature as we are going to get. Adventure bikes remind me weekend Harley 1%. I guess buying an adventure bike makes us feel more of a man, I’m sure there are a few who truly use these bikes to full potential rest just posers. I bike that is really interesting to me is the new Honda CB1100, plain, simple and realistic.
Most “adventure” bikes are hanging out at Starbucks trying to look cool. That’s where they are most in their element.
Since you saw Harleys by a ratio of fifty to one, you must have been traveling the interstate highways… where (gasp) ALL HARLEY dealerships are now being strongly urged to locate near.
The adventure bikes were on the secondary and dirt roads. No mystery there.
true!
If you call the Cabot’s Trail a interstate on Cape Breton island of Nova Scotia then yup you are right. I’m not a Harley fun but surprised just how little of any other kind of bike there was??? Actually more like shocked!! Harley has the market all to itself so it seemed, amazing how good there promotion is that they can make that antique sell like hotcakes.
Just came back from Arizona and it was all Harleys, even on the 2 lane back roads. Peeked down a few dirt roads but didn’t see any “adventure” bikes kicking up dirt. With all the interest in these bikes these days, you’d think I’d have seen at least 1 in my 500 mile trip.
Once again a dramatic over-generalization. I’ve put about 300,000 miles in 10 years on V-Stroms, plus a GS and a Tier (Steamer). When I tour I tend to see Harley’s on the freeway, and everything else on the secondary roads.
It looks like an interesting bike in theory, until you look at the suspension specs. 167mm suspension travel in the front, 150mm in the rear (about 6″). That’s not so much more than a CBR600RR, which has 110mm front and 129mm rear. For a bike that has some offroad pretensions, such a tiny suspension travel is a joke.
I’m actually in the market for a larger supermoto-style bike (I have a DRZ400SM), and I keep seeing all these bikes with 6″ of suspension travel, which completely defeats the purpose of a supermoto bike. The reason why the DRZ400SM is so great on potholed city streets is because it has 10″+ of suspension travel, so it deals very nicely with bumps.
Without a taller suspension, this is just marketing BS, and not much more usable in city riding than any standard bike.
Really excellent point. I guess it speaks to the target of the manufacturer’s market. Longer suspension works off road better. And for these bikes that are primarily targeted for smoother road riders, a tighter suspension is much better for handling.
I bought one of the first Capos to hit the west coast. Rode it for 9 years and was completely satisfied. This bike looks like a worthy replacement. My bike never required valve adjustment and was the most trouble free bike I have ever owned.
Nice looking bike. But I sincerely wish ALL manufacturers would stop slapping some ABS under the engine to make it look resistant to dings. Either bolt some real metal there or leave it naked. ABS does nothing and it just looks silly.
Adventure bike my patootie! Send the marketing department off to shovel some dirt with that low scoop or start a grass fire with the low hanging exhaust pipe. Better yet, let them get stranded when a rock nails the exposed oil cooler. That shorty front fender won’t stop much. Of course, this all presumes the ‘adventure bike’ leaves the pavement.
It looks very much like a Dorsoduro with a part of RSV’s fairing stuck on. Might be a very good bike for all I know, but very much ‘parts bin’ in appearance.
To Mike H. HotDog and those who would listen,
I live in Alaska. I’ve ridden Aprilias for years. I’ve traveled EVERY back road in Alaska and the Western upper reaches of British Columbia as well as the Northwest and Yukon territories on my ’02 Caponord. Ridden from Anchorage to San Francisco and back, no issues…tires, brake pads, chain, sprockets and oil changes, thats it. Anytime I have ever needed a part, I simply call AF1.com out of Texas and the part is on it’s way in minutes arriving a day or two later. Pulling into a dealership and giving them a credit card with instructions to fix it is asking for trouble in my opinion. Learning a bit of basic maintenance is a good thing. I can’t imagine going on a trip of ANY length without knowing how to perform these most basic of techniques. These are not desmodronic valved Ducati’s with 6000 mile valve service intervals. My rotax motored Aprilias (4 of them Tuono, Mille R, Futura and Caponord) have been stellar performing bikes all the years I’ve owned them. Plenty of examples out there with 60,000 to over 100,000 miles on them not needing valve adjustments over their entire life span. I realize Aprilia has taken their motor production back in house, no reason to suspect that is a drop in quality. The fit and finish of Aprilia is far superior to any Japanese brand I’ve ridden, just as the Japanese bikes are superior to the Harley’s. Before you accuse me of being a fanboy, I appreciate all brands. Pick up a wrench yourself and learn how to use it. You have no idea what you are missing. On the other hand, you can keep buying your stamped out, cookie cutter bikes and leave the good stuff for the true motorcyclists.
Nomadak,
I’m in my 40th year of riding, okay? I’ve ridden many different kinds of bikes to a from a lot of far away places. My latest ride was a 15,000 miler from the Chicago area through the western US, parts of Canada, all ove your wonder ful state, including the Dalton Highway. That ride was on a BMW, and it was happy to find good dealers in Anchorage and Fairbanks for work I needed while in Alaska.
I prefer riding a motorcycle that can be repaired in a shop rather than along the side of the road. I usually don’t trail a box or parts and shiop tools. I’m not keen on entering the food chain while out adventuring. That’s one of the reasons why I ride the bike I ride – generally easy availability of parts most anywhere, and either dealers or mechanics not too far away. That’s one of the reasons why I suggested more Aprilia delaerships would be an encoruagement to people like me who don’t want to be stuck soemwhere waiting who knows how long for parts, like the coupe I ran into at Coldfoot who were stuck with a Guzzi that needed something or other.
As far as my learning to “pick up a wrench yourself and learn how to use it”, you have no idea what my background is, so please drop that line.
“Easy to get BMW parts”??? LOL! Good one. I can’t wait ’til the final drive on my K1200LT goes out on the Yukon trail. I’m sure they stock it at the local Polaris snowmobile emporium.
>>I’ve had one too many breakdowns to consider buying any bike that doesn’t have a solid dealer network across the US and Canada. <<
Well, you *did* say you ride BMW.
My buddy bought a new Caponard and got so frustrated with the reliability that he got rid of it and bought a Suzuki V-Strom. He’s happy with the Suzuki and never looked back.
Incoming!!! My ex wife used to coil and hiss like this, so let er’ buck Nomadak. The only bike I’ve never broke down on is a European Blueblood, cuz I’ve never owned one. Rode Jap iron for 23 out of 24 bikes and they’re as reliable as a hard rock. 3 weeks on a American bike was enough. There’s only one tool that I put in my hand more than a 17mm box end, and it ain’t a ratchet. And just WTF is a “true motorcyclists”?
i hereby declare the adventure-tourer category… SATURATED.
AMEN!
Ditto!
Hold your breath. I wouldn’t be serprised by an EBR adventure bike Well in the works.
At least it doesn’t have a beak, lol.
yeah, despite the redundant verbosity we don’t get weight or price.
If Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Ducati were all sold out of the same dealerships, there still wouldn’t be enough of them to risk (a) buying any one of them, and (b) riding it across the country on back roads. All are very nice bikes, but I’ve had one too many breakdowns to consider buying any bike that doesn’t have a solid dealer network across the US and Canada.
There is such a dealership in NH
Very nice machine. Looking forward to price and weight information. I’ve been keeping my eyes open for a replacement for my 2007 Suzuki SV1000S. So far nothing has impressed me enough to retire the SV. Hard to beat a fairly light, fun to ride bike with excellent engine characteristics. Plus my SV was 7k OTD as a new leftover in 2009.
Nice bike, but with no dealers between Fargo to Seattle, I’ll take my chances on my Wii.
I had an ’02 Capo for something like 9 years—longest I’ve ever owned a bike. I’m kinda disappointed that that the new version is strictly street oriented; I was hoping they’d go the opposite direction. I guess I’ll stick with my farkled Ulysses for the street, and my 950 Adventure for the bit of off-roading. Whatever happened to the Toureg (sp?) adventure bike Aprilia was supposed to have released last year?
ericdiehl.com
Pretty much a knockoff of the Multistrada, styling-wise. Not a bad thing.
I like Aprilia designs in general, and this bike is typical of Aprilia. Not big fans of the currant large side exhaust trend which is appearing on so many new bikes these days, but other that it looks good.
The deal breakers for me is the 33″ inch seat height, I didn’t know Italians where so tall, I’m glad the Dutch don’t build bikes. Then there is the weak dealer network, ask any former Aprilia dealer why they dropped the brand and you’ll get an ear full.
That rear shock spring is a good argument against riding with shorts. Got to watch the loose bits!