Aprilia Caponord 1200

It feels like Ducati might have a leak on its hands. Not long after the company released its greatly-improved Multistrada range, complete with electronically controlled suspension and a booming 1200cc V-twin with switchable engine modes, fellow Italian Aprilia rolls out its all-new Caponord, featuring similarly advanced suspension, engine modes and capacity. It might seem a little too coincidental, but the reality is that both companies see a gap for upmarket, nearly-go-anywhere machines -- the two-wheeled equivalent of a Range Rover without the drug-lord connotation.

>2013 Aprilia Caponord background

After recently testing the Multistrada Granturismo (here), we’d have to say its brief has been more than met. Part superbike, part tourer, part status symbol, the Ducati resets the sector’s benchmark far beyond where it has been previously. With that in mind, how does the considerably cheaper Caponord stack up?

Visually, the Aprilia errs more so on the side of conventional construction -- no single-sided swingarm and the whole package doesn’t look as light and compact as the Multistrada. But then beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and neither bike is conventional in that sense.

Before the off, it’s time to load up. With the height-adjustable (though still low-slung) muffler, the Caponord offers a pair of cavernous panniers, enough to swallow two full-faced lids and clothes for a weekend (if you’re going to a nudist camp). At the recent launch of the reborn Indian motorcycle range, one of the “Why didn’t they think of that before” moments came with the bike’s remote central locking system that includes the panniers. Bikes like the Caponord and Multistrada are worthy (read expensive enough) to have a similar system.

Hop aboard (yup, she’s a tall unit) and the tank sticker proclaiming 51 world championships reminds you or Aprilia’s racing heritage, reinforced once the engine kicks into life. At tickover it’s all about the V-twin’s latent snarl. Get over 3500rpm however and the induction roar from the airbox is the dominant call. By now the engine’s fully alive and your ears will know all about it.

There are three levels of engine control modes (Sport, Touring, Rain) that offer instant switching between impressive flat-out fun, or more relaxed inputs or such major intervention that you could easily ride the bike on snow, let alone in the rain. And it’s that, along with the electronically controlled suspension that elevates bikes with these features above what we’ve been used to.

With on-the-fly controls, it really becomes a cinch to adjust the bike to the rider and conditions. Other electrickery comes in the form of ride-by-wire throttle, cruise control and multi-function dash. The cruise feature is simple to use and a modern-day essential for when you’re looking for distance travel with your licence intact. Just like on a car, throttle or brake inputs cancel the system. The adjustable screen is pretty small and requires two knobs to be fiddled with to move. That arrangement seems at odds with the hi-tech feel of the rest of the Capo.

As tall as the saddle is, it’s nothing in comparison to the gearing. Man, this thing’s geared to the moon! The 1197cc engine has a band of torque wider than the ocean and can more than handle the long spread between gears, but a one-tooth smaller gearbox would allow fifth and six to come into play. As it is, they both seem like little more than overdrive ratios.

Like the Multistrada, the Caponord is more than enough sportsbike and tourer that it doesn’t feel like a compromise of either. Obviously, fast laps on a trackday would show the ground clearance to be less than sportsbike-friendly (though prior removal of the standard centrestand would help instantly), but it’s more than enough to be having a whole heap of fun on and setting decent, if not record breaking laps on. The brakes, engine and suspension are all focussed enough to give you confidence when bowling into Phillip Island’s Siberia, and also user-friendly enough when pulling up to the local coffee shop.

With the high and wide bars, the riding position feels relaxed and the footpegs put your feet in a near-weightlessness stance. It fits me like a glove at 188cm tall, but shorter riders would need to make up their own minds.

The fit and finish of the bike shouts quality and time spent in the saddle reinforces that this is a big bike for big distances. Perfect for Australia then.

If you think of it as a Multistrada with slightly less adjustment and its own style, you’ll not be too far off the mark, especially when you consider the saving the bike’s $22K price tag offers of the similarly suspended $28,500 Multistrada. The Aprilia doesn’t feel like $6500 less of an experience, which makes it a more than viable alternative, especially for the taller rider.

>Aprilia Caponord in Bike Showroom

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 125hp (91.9 kW) at 8250 rpm (crankshaft)
Claimed maximum torque: 115Nm at 6800rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, hydraulic

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Modular tubular steel frame fastened to aluminium side plates by high strength bolts. Removable steel rear subframe
Front suspension: 43mm Sachs upside-down fork with fully adjustable compression, rebound and preload. Wheel travel 167mm.
Rear suspension: Sachs hydraulic shock absorber with adjustable rebound and preload. Wheel travel 150mm.
Front brakes: Dual 320mm stainless steel discs with Brembo monobloc four-piston radial callipers.
Rear brake: 240 mm stainless steel disc Brembo 34 mm single-piston caliper
Wheels: Aluminium-alloy, front 3.50 x 17, 6.00 x 17
Tyres: Front 120/70-17, rear 180/55-17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: Not given
Trail: 125mm
Claimed dry weight: 214kg
Seat height: 840mm
Wheelbase: 1565mm
Fuel capacity: 24 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $21,990 plus on-road costs
Test bike supplied by: John Sample Automotive, www.aprilia.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres