Let’s get one thing out of the way before I start. This bike has THE most advanced suspension of any bike designed for road use, EVER! Now that’s some statement and for some reason it seems the general fraternity of bike riders don’t know this. How do I know, because every time I proudly showed off this gorgeous motorcycle I went into ‘eccentric scientist mode’ and wouldn’t let anyone depart from my company until I told them about Aprilia’s ADD suspension system. And all who listened suddenly became equally impressed and wanted to go and tell their friends what was sitting outside, but obviously not as comprehensively as I did.
So what’s all the fuss about, I hear you say, because many bikes now have electronically controlled suspension? Yes, yes, I know that and the bikes that immediately spring (ha, ha, geddit?) to mind, are the new KTM 1190, BMW R 1200 GS, and Ducati’s Multistrada 1200 thing (depending on which Ducati you choose). All have electronic damping and stuff that you can easily set depending on the conditions you want to ride but Aprilia, with their patented, yes patented, ADD (Aprilia Dynamic Damping) package, goes one step further. In simple ‘window-licker’ terms, you can choose your mode like the others, but then the Caponord will constantly change the damping forces every millisecond depending on how you ride, a bit like an F1 car, brilliant I say! McLaren and Ferrari also use a similar system in their fancy Supercars to prevent ‘squat’ and ‘dive’ while accelerating and braking, see where I’m coming from now? So if you accelerate hard the suspension will instantly stiffen up, load up the panniers and the bike will detect the extra weight and adapt accordingly with no adjustment or input from you. I even put a pillion on the back and instantly the ADD did its thing and when I pulled off the bike did not sit lower at the rear than when I was on my own, now what bike can do that left to its own devices?
In fact I was so impressed with this ADD affair that I found myself wondering if it could be used in other applications. For example, Oscar Pistorius would have loved a pair of these forks attached to his legs (stumps). As he ran faster the rebound damping would automatically get quicker and increase his stride length and therefore smash the World records. Or even a drunken man at the bar with a prosthetic leg, no matter how much he staggered about an ADD fork leg would instantly right him in a millisecond. But I digress, sorry but I’m fanatical about this bike and what it does.
Anyway, enough of that mirth. The electronics package on the Caponord doesn’t end there though. The throttle is a total ‘fly-by-wire’ system like the RSV4 race bike has; there are three levels of traction control (that can be switched off for madness spells), two ABS modes, and three engine maps. These are Sport, Touring and Rain; I just left it in maximum power Sport mode, of course. But it you’re a big girl you can use the Rain mode that lops off 25hp of the claimed 125hp and softens the power delivery.
That claimed 125hp comes from Aprilia’s big 1197cc liquid-cooled, 90-degree, four-valve, V-Twin found in their Dorsoduro street motard, Aprilia call this Caponord 1200 a Street Enduro though, which sounds about right. It’s a powerful, punchy unit that has more than enough power to excite any hardcore rider but it is a bit heavy on fuel when ridden hard, but all big V-Twins are, so there. Turn off the traction control and the Caponord becomes a wheel spinning, wheelie monster that will embarrass many ‘sporty’ bikes you come across, nice. A real wolf in sheepish clothing.
But the Caponord isn’t all about these sorts of childish antics; in fact I believe the prospective buyer will not even venture up the twisting path of hooliganism. The new Caponord is primarily designed to dispel vast distances with pathetic ease, which it does with its voluminous 24-litre tank capacity, providing over 300kms on one tank. The level of comfort on this bike is exemplary and you can tell Aprilia has spent many hours taking care of rider and wind protection. The manually adjustable screen, although small, works admirably and one just slips through the air in such a manner that you feel you could ride forever, well at least until the tank runs dry. The ‘bars are positioned high and wide as well, which makes the 228kg (wet) Caponord so easy to manoeuvre and throw about that you’d think it’s half that weight.
Bikes of this size and weight shouldn’t handle like a sportsbike, but the Aprilia Caponord 1200 blows that theory right out of the water, because this bike is so nimble, responsive and just plain old fun that I’d prefer it to any of the bikes, on the road, I previously mentioned. And the obscenely powerful Brembo brakes also add their bit to the pot of sporty riding. If I bought one of these, which I most certainly would, I’d have a big ‘catch me if you can!’ sticker somewhere on the back, it is that good folks. And I’ve ridden more bikes than a pedophile has ridden kiddies horse rides at a Fair ground, so I should know, about bikes that is.
You’re going to have to spend more than a day at the Fair though because the Aprilia Caponord 1200 will relieve your bank account unashamedly of R186.500, but that does included the Aprilia Travel Pack fitted to this bike, which includes those useful panniers, ADD, cruise control and a centre stand. That may sound a lot but you get a lot of beautifully finished Italian motorcycle with exquisite details, like that red-stitched seat, and did I mention THAT suspension?
Everyone should experience what this very clever motorbike feels like to ride and, to me, it’s the best motorbike Aprilia has ever made. It was a very sad day when I had to return the Caponord 1200, which says it all really. And if I were a pirate I’d swap my warped wooden leg for an ADD fork right now and give ‘sea legs’ a whole new meaning.
For more information logo to www.aprilia.co.za or www.aprilia.com
and the bike is available from www.fourwaysmotorcycles.co.za tell them Bill sent you!
