Aprilia Caponord Rally 1200, close to the best [ROAD TEST]

Top solutions and a nastiness you don't expect

di Matteo Pozzi December 21, 2015

Photo Aprilia Caponord Rally - Road test 2015

Aprilia Caponord Rally 1200 - It has nothing to envy of the most popular maxi endurosIndeed, in its mix of characteristics it was able to convince us more than others, even more than all from certain points of view. These are concepts that we often reiterate, such as that there is no absolute best motorbike, but the best one based on subjective tastes and needs. Secondly, numbers don't always tell everything. That of power, for example, with 125 horsepower available, is good on paper, but average, given the data of the competitors. From the first metres, however, the Caponord amazes with the wickedness and fun it manages to provide, well above expectations and which make us think of the only opponent that comes to mind in terms of determination, that KTM 1190 Adventure which, when it comes to power, however, scores a good 25 horsepower more. For the rest, the 19" wheel at the front returns (which disappeared with MY2013) and a series of improvements make it a mature and complete motorcycle, capable of some world firsts, such as fully active rear suspension.

Aesthetics and finishes:
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Mean nose and a nice mix between sportiness and versatility

Revised in 2013, the Rally version debuts in 2015, which not only brought a restyling of the model from which it derives (new for example LED headlights), but brought to its debut there 19 "front wheel, the tubeless spoke rims (thanks to an Aprilia patent), a new radiator to make room for the larger wheel and "adventure" features. We are referring to Larger adjustable windshield, protection bars and to side bags. These are beautiful from an aesthetic point of view, very practical in some respects, but they did not convince us 100% in others. On the plus side, they have locks with the same key as the motorbike, as well as the possibility of a double opening mode by releasing or closing two internal levers, which allows you to use a classic access or one with a reduced portion, so you can insert the hand from above without dropping the contents of the bag. They have a reduced lateral size, but on the other hand the internal volume is not the best (there is 33 liters of capacity and you cannot stow a helmet) and opening and closing requires using the key plus two side blocks, not exactly the most practical solution in terms of speed. Bags aside, the Caponord Rally presents itself well, with a front in full Aprilia style, thanks to the line of the front light, divided into three elements placed side by side horizontally, with a strong appeal, also in the shape of the front fairing, to that of its super sports sister RSV4. They are flanked by maxi enduro adventure concepts, such as the protection bars or the fairing of the lower part of the engine, with other sports ones, like the front, but also some finishes that recall the carbon texture, the finish of the fork legs or the 'sticker on the tank commemorating the 54 world titles (at the end of 2014). The saddle is beautiful, with the double finish cover, smooth and non-slip, particularly successful on an aesthetic level. Overall the Caponord Rally is not small, but it is certainly slim, even with the bags mounted (92cm total width). Well finished, only the presence of the controls for optional functions not mounted left us a little perplexed (for example the heated grips)

Engine and performance:
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125 beautiful lively horses

Aprilia has a strong connection with the world of racing, and its 360° touring maxi is also keen to underline this. As we have already mentioned, right from the first acceleration it was able to amaze and convince us thanks to a very aggressive power delivery and the very adrenaline-filled sound of the twin-cylinder. The technicians have been able to do so well that one's thoughts instantly turn to a comparison with more powerful engines, even as much as 25 horsepower, from which it doesn't seem to be that far away at all. The basis is still the one presented in 2013, with the new one 1200 at 90° V which had already benefited from superior electronics derived from the experience gained with the RSV4, therefore command ride-by-wire, traction control and also cruise control, which certainly doesn't hurt on a motorbike dedicated to long journeys. The 125 horsepower already arrive at 8.000 rpm, the 115 Nm at 6.800. THE three mappings they allow you to always enjoy the delivery in the best way. Sport and Touring are at full power, the first with a poorer delivery, the second slightly rounder, while the Rain is useful not only on wet asphalt, but also for low-grip surfaces, because in addition to softening the delivery it also cuts 25 horsepower. The ATC (Aprilia Traction Control) is also adjustable and of the three options, it almost goes without saying, the least invasive “1” is also the most fun. Configured in this way, the Capanord allows you to manage the exuberance of the engine safely, but if it opens with the bike at an angle it lets the rear slide just enough to light a smile. What is surprising about the Caponord twin-cylinder, in addition to its wickedness, is thedelivery always very good at any speed. This is also thanks to what is technically called the Helmoltz resonator, i.e. a particular shape of the exhaust, which allows you to gain torque precisely where the twin-cylinder would not have enough on its own, i.e. just below 5.000 rpm. The result is superlative, with an already interesting shot at 1.500 rpm (here the comparison is on par or almost equal only to a BMW note...), an excellent roundness which makes thefull-bodied, but always fluid delivery, up to beyond the maximum power regime. Between 6 and 9 thousand rpm (where the limiter intervenes), the voice and thrust of the V-Twin have few equals. Thinking that the exhaust is the standard one makes us curious to know what it would be capable of with something sportier (you can find one in the options list).

Ride and handling:
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The fully active suspension makes it a true globetrotter

If the "standard" could have left anyone in doubt, between the 19" front wheel and ADD (Aprilia Dynamic Damping) last generation, Caponord Rally manages to bridge the gap with the best competition. After trying it it is impossible not to think that it is a great vehicle: stable even at very high speeds (perhaps the best ever at this), but it can also be easy to handle on the strait. The adjustable screen protects well from the air, to the point that you can travel with the visor raised on the motorway without major discomfort, while the only flaw we found (even if this season it is something we appreciated quite a bit), it is the exhaust that warms the right leg. It hides the 238 kg of curb weight well (+10 of the “standard” Caponord with bags). What is 100% convincing are the suspensions, with high comfort on bumps, but at the same time a safe support and a great feeling with the front between medium-fast corners. This is thanks to the electronically controlled suspensions which adapt the hydraulics of both the front fork and the rear fork to the characteristics of the road surface and the driving style in real time. The gem, which is no small feat given that we are talking about a first in the world, is that the rear preload can be set manually, selecting whether you are traveling alone or with a passenger and with or without luggage, but it can be set even automatically. In this way the electronics take care of everything, reading the information from the various sensors scattered around the bike. We talked about the move to the 19" wheel, which is no small feat for those who want to use the bike not only on asphalt, but the good news for them doesn't end there. The circles they are indeed with crossed spokes and fixed on the channel e, thanks to a unique Aprilia patent, they are however combined with tubeless tires. We find road models with dimensions as standard 120/70 front, 170/60 rear, but in the booklet the more off-road sizes 110/80 and 150/70 are also indicated and can be used. It should be noted that the instrumentation, despite being easily readable and rather complete, lacks consumption data, which we are normally used to in this segment. This is half a problem, also because the A-MP (Aprilia Multimedia Platform) for an additional 160 euros allows integration between smartphone and dashboard, making all the data you might miss available, and more. As for braking, which is always excellent, the system features a Latest generation ABS and highly respectable hardware, with two 320 mm front discs combined with four-piston BREMBO monobloc calipers with radial connection.

Price and consumption:
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Attractive price for a flagship that does not fear the competition

The price list of the Aprilia Caponord Rally is 17.050 euros, a rather high price, but competitive compared to the competition, especially in light of what it can offer as standard. In fact, much of what you pay elsewhere (and expensively) is included here in the standard package. Having said this, the list of possible customizations is still extensive, ranging from the central top case (very useful for storing a helmet, which cannot be accommodated by the two side ones), a sports exhaust, in addition to the A-MP system which we already have spoken, combinable with a navigator or mobile phone holder. There are three colours, in addition to the very successful one in these photos, you can have gray or military green. As regards consumption, referred to the calculator and field measurements, given the absence of data on the instrumentation, we managed to stay around 17 km/l with fairly careful driving, while if you get too involved in the beautiful sound of the twin-cylinder, when you open the throttle all the way, you move dangerously towards the threshold of 10 with a liter, even if in that case, rather than for the expense of petrol, your wallet is at risk for fines and points on your licence... .

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Engine output and character, a complete motorcycle suitable for all contexts
We do not like it:
Consumption in sportier driving, side bags not among the most capable and simple to open

Aprilia Caponord Rally 1200: the Motorionline Report Card

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