Motorcycle News_Aprilia Caponord

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SEE THE VIDEO

Don’t just look at the photos

and read the test report – get

online now to see the new

Caponord in action, and hear

more opinion from Adam.

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WEDNESDAY 15

APRILIA CAPONORD LAUNCH

Aprilia’s new ultra-sophisticated Caponord 1200 could be the dark horse in this year’s adventure pack

PLAYING THE SMART CARD

Aprilia’s all-new Caponord

1200 seems to have it all with

Sachs semi-active suspension

more advanced than the Ducati

Multistrada’s, the same power

as BMW’s all-new GS, and more.

But it costs considerably less

than both the Ducati and BMW:

£10,599 for the basic model and

£12,290 for the full spec ‘Travel

Pack’ version. Does the smart

money go on the Aprilia?

WHAT’S

THE STORY?

As the biking audience matures, demand continues to increase for adventure bikes. E a r l y l a s t y e a r Triumph launched its new Explorer which took the coveted

MCN road test class crown in 2012. But since then Ducati has launched its new ‘skyhook’ Multistrada, the first to come with true semi-active suspension, while both KTM and BMW have introduced new models which have grabbed the MCN headlines.

KTM’s all-new Adventure comes in two guises – a standard, 19-inch front wheel model and the more off-road

biased ‘R’ with a 21-inch front wheel. BMW, meanwhile, has also launched

a new R1200GS – its most important bike in recent years, they admit – which also comes with semi-active suspension amongst a host of updates. Even Triumph has another newcomer with

a tweaked Tiger Sport. All the while, there’s been one more newcomer in the background. Until now, Aprilia’s new Caponord has gone almost unnoticed – which is a mystery considering its impressive spec. On paper it appears formidable, capable of being the leading bike in this segment, especially when we consider price. The full spec ‘Travel Pack’ version, which includes the ADD, Aprilia Dynamic Damping (semi-active suspension), is £3000 less than the Ducati equivalent and also cheaper than a comparable BMW GS.

Not only that, but the Aprilia’s suspension is more advanced than both the Ducati and BMW, and our short test ride showed it’s very impressive, especially when ridden two-up. I’m really taken aback by how good the new semi-active suspension is. Even in cold, very wet conditions, the suspension changes were noticeable. Unlike the

ADAM CHILDSenior Road [email protected]

Continued over

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FOCUS16

Ducati and BMW systems, Aprilia’s semi-active suspension, ADD, adjusts pre-load on the rear automatically. If you add a pillion into the mix the system measures the extra weight, then calculates and compensates by adding pre-load. It’s so clever it will actually reduce the pre-load as weight is reduced when you burn fuel from the large 24-litre petrol tank. If your other half loves shopping for shoes and sneaks a few pairs into the panniers without you noticing, the Caponord will detect the extra weight, recalculate and add more pre-load if required. How clever is that?

Like the BMW and Ducati, the Aprilia system also adjusts compression and rebound damping on the move to improve comfort. However, if you start riding aggressively the system changes the suspension to compensate and to make the ride sportier. It knows you are riding aggressively by the amount of torque requested, throttle position, speed, rpm, wheel speed, and gear. It’s all very clever - and it works. This is no gimmick.

Unfortunately, we had very poor weather during our test in Sardinia including torrential rain with rivers running across the road in places (see video on www.motorcyclenews.com). The result of that is that I can’t tell you how the Aprilia suspension will perform in the dry, riding aggressively with big lean angles. However, in the wet the ride quality was very impressive. The comfort is excellent – it’s more like a luxury touring model than a ‘Street Enduro’ as Aprilia likes

How the Caponord compares to its rivals

to call its new bike. Speed humps, road imperfections and small potholes almost disappear, to the point that it’s almost surreal. Even deliberately hitting potholes at speed didn’t jolt the suspension or cause any discomfort.

Around town, small speed humps were taken at 30mph and were hardly noticeable with the active suspension working overtime. This was amplified further with a pillion – gliding over small speed humps and potholes as if they weren’t there. There would be

One of the most impressive bikes I’ve ridden for comfort and ride quality. The rear is a magic carpet of smoothnessAdam Child

Caponord’s single

side-mounted

exhaust can be

raised when the

panniers are

removed to

increase ground

clearance

a slight jolt through the bars in very extreme cases, but then the rear would follow and simply glide over. There was no jolting, no bucking, it was very smooth, level and stable.

In short, the Caponord is one of the most impressive bikes I’ve ever ridden in terms of comfort and ride quality. It feels like the rear is on a magic carpet of smoothness. Even slowly dropping off a kerb didn’t cause any discomfort. You’ll never have a pillion complain again – well, maybe not. It’s just a

shame we didn’t get to push the limits of the suspension in the dry.

The front 43mm Sachs forks are also semi-active – constantly changing the compression and rebound damping but not pre-load, which is conventionally pre-set by the rider. The amount of adjustment compared to the standard model is huge. The ADD system can have more than seven times more adjustment in compression and rebound and, remember, it only takes a fraction of a second to change from maximum to

minimum. Again, it was a shame the conditions were so poor because we couldn’t really test the front suspension to the maximum. You can feel the front react to road imperfections like the rear, but it doesn’t have that magic carpet feel – you still get a small jolt in extreme circumstances. However, it remains mightily impressive.

In many ways it feels like BMW’s Telelever system as it lacks dive compared to conventional forks, which in turn means it lacks a little feel. But like the BMW system it’s all about trusting the front end and tyre contact. Personally, in the tricky conditions, tip-toeing around for grip, I’d prefer a little more dive and feel. It will be interesting to see how the rear suspension performs in the dry.

The incessant rain also meant I didn’t get a chance to let the new Caponord stretch its legs. At low speeds the big V-twin was a little snatchy below 3000rpm – such as around town in second gear. In higher gears, or as the revs increase above 3000, it does smooth out. Aprilia are quoting 125bhp from the 1197cc, liquid-cooled V-twin, and the spread of torque is lovely. It also sounds good from the single, side-mounted exhaust, which can be raised when you remove the panniers to increase ground clearance.

There are three different engine maps: Touring, Sport and Rain, which can be changed on the move via the

Caponord 1200 (Travel Pack)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

125

24

228

17

12,290

BMW R1200GS

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

125

20

238

19

11,395

KTM 1190 Adventure

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

148

23

230

19

12,595

Triumph Tiger Explorer

Yes

No

Yes

No

135

20

259

19

11,199

Kawasaki Versys 1000

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

116

21

239

17

9,599

Ducati Multistrada

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

150

20

224

17

15,550

Triumph Tiger Sport

No

No

Yes

No

123

20

235

17

9,599

Traction control

Electronic suspension

ABS

Fuel maps

Power (bhp)

Tank capacity (litres)

Weight (kg)

Front wheel size (”)

Price (£)

The new Caponord

is available from

next month. The

basic model costs

£10,599 and Travel

Pack version £12,290

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start button and come as standard. Rain mode limits power to 100bhp which is more than enough to have fun, and in the tricky conditions was still enough to get the traction control working if you’re brutal enough with the throttle.

The traction control system also comes as standard. There are three different traction control modes but they can’t be changed on the move, which is a little annoying. As the road dries out you have to pull over and select neutral before changing the level of electronic intervention.

Thankfully, unlike other systems, when you turn off the key it does save your last setting which I prefer rather than going back to a safe mode. You can switch the traction off entirely and a small symbol illuminates on the dash to warn you. Don’t forget: if you switch off the traction control and turn off the key, it will still be switched off when you return to the bike and start riding once again.

Mode Three is the most intrusive (ideal for the rain), Two is less intrusive, and Mode One is for perfect sunny days with lots of grip. And on the subject of grip, an ABS system also comes as standard, and is excellent, not too intrusive - and can also be switched off.

An adjustable screen is standard, although it can’t be changed on the move. Cruise control is standard on the Travel Pack version and a welcome addition although once the speed is set

you can’t increase or decrease your speed with the touch of a button like you can with the BMW system.

If you opt for the Travel Pack you also get colour-coded panniers which are easy and idiot-proof to open and remove. Thankfully, there isn’t any ugly framework holding them on, so the Caponord looks just as good with the panniers removed as it does with them on. You also get a centre-stand with the Travel Pack, but not on the standard model. Handguards come as standard and not only add to the styling but help keep your hands warm and dry. It’s just a shame the heated grips are only an optional extra, considering

the cold conditions we encountered on test in Sardinia.

The adjustable screen isn’t half bad at taking windblast away from your head and upper body. You’re very much sitting in the bike rather than on it, which should mean great wind protection on longer journeys but does mean the distance between the seat and pegs is shorter than expected. I didn’t find it cramped (I’m 5’7”), but taller riders may suffer. We’ll test the comfort more thoroughly in our long distance group test in the coming weeks.

Switchgear is standard Aprilia stuff: including an indicator switch that lacks any feel and a mode button that feels toy-like. However, the clocks are functional, easy to read, and boast a gear indicator. The mode button allows you to scroll through the menu, mpg, trip, clock, etc. The starter button changes the fuel mapping and two buttons on the actual clocks allow you to change the traction, ABS and suspension settings, but remember, only while stationary. Everything is reasonably easy to use and straightforward after some simple instructions. Just remember: the symbol R means rain not race, and T means touring not track.

I’m still undecided on the looks and appearance. One colleague has described it as “looking like it’s been driven through the ugly forest and hit every tree on the way” which, to my

Five minutes with...ANDREA RICCI IAMINO,

ELECTRONICS SYSTEM MANAGER

Q. What parts does the Caponord

share with other Aprilias? You

mentioned the wheels are RSV4,

are the calipers also RSV4? Is the

engine identical to the Dorsoduro

bar the altered throttle bodies?

A. The engine is similar to the Dorsoduro, same bore and stroke, but the fuelling is different. The throttle bodies are smaller – 57mm to 52mm. We also have double injectors and twin spark for better torque and smoother fuelling. The frame is similar but with a different rake and trail, different rigidity to the Dorsoduro and the subframe is all new to take the strain of the added weight with a pillion/luggage. Wheels are the same as the RSV, cast wheels the same as the R version. The calipers are the spec below RSV4, but still very good.

Q. How is ADD (traction control)

different from Ducati and BMW

systems? Why not use Skyhook?

A. I’m not sure which system they use for sure but we have active preload on the rear, which I believe they don’t, and we measure air pressure in the forks. We don’t use potentiometers or any other mechanical measurements in the front. The BMW GS uses a servo to change the pre-load like turning a manual preload knob, we use oil pressure.

There is nothing wrong with ‘Skyhook’ technology. It’s been around since 1974 and is good for measuring low-speed frequency. Our system uses a combination of that and our own methodology, acceleration-driven damping which is better for measuring high speed frequency. We use a patented ‘comfort-orientated’ algorithm which combines the principles of Skyhook and acceleration-driven damping algorithms to create ADD.

Q. Does the Caponord have a lean

angle sensor, and if not, why?

A. It’s not needed, this isn’t a performance bike. We think they’re for sports bikes and racing.

Q. Why have different modes

which change pre-load, when it

can change automatically? Also,

in automatic preload mode what

happens at the front?

A. It’s all down to personal taste. We believe the automatic mode is the most efficient preload setting. However, some customers may prefer lots of pre-load. When you add pre-load it changes only the rear, not the front. Pre-load in the front fork is in the right fork leg only, and has to be changed manually like a conventional bike. Our system changes compression and rebound in the left fork leg.

Q. Why not use potentiometers

to measure fork travel like race

teams do on competition bikes?

A. We tried this with a prototype but

got the same results with the air cap system and it’s far cheaper and easier with fewer mechanical parts. In back-to-back testing the air cap system was just as accurate, giving enough data for this type of bike. This is the first bike to measure the air pressure in the front fork and we have a patent on the system.

Q. Will the suspension need to

have extra servicing?

A. No, the parts we use originate from the automotive industry which are tested to extremes. The forks can be serviced as normal.

Q. Does the maximum and

minimum slip within the traction

control alter depending on gear?

A. No. It could on a more advanced system, but it’s not needed for this type of bike.

Q. How do you determine

maximum and minimum slip? A. Slip occurs when there is a difference between front and rear wheel speed. When the rear tyre slides on the power it’s because it’s spinning faster than the front wheel. We have a calculation which allows a little slide, then acts when the difference between both wheels increases further.

For example, in setting three, the most intrusive mode, the system is activated when the difference is 7%, then acts again at 8%. No matter how much torque you request the system won’t allow the rear wheel to spin more than 8% more than the front. In mode two, it’s less intrusive, 9-10%, and in mode one, 11-12%. At the minimum slip we close the butterflies; once past the maximum we reduce the spark advance, but we never totally cut the fuel as this wastes fuel, affecting mpg and it can damage the catalytic converter in the exhaust, too.

Q. Finally, is it a true active

suspension system?

A. We say it has ‘active functionality’ on the rear. [Big smile.]

Continued over

With no ugly framework, the Caponord looks just as good with the panniers removed as it does with them onAdam Child

Right: Comfort is

akin to a luxury

touring model’s.

Semi-active sus-

pension meant road

imperfections were

hardly noticed.

Below: Torrential

rain during the test

prevented us from

assessing how the

Caponord performs

when ridden ag-

gressively, or at ex-

treme lean angles

Automatic preload will even take

account of the weight of your fuel

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FOCUS18

THE FACTS

Engine:  Liquid-cooled, 1197cc (106 x 67.8mm), DOHC,

8v V-twin. Six gears, chain-drive.

Power (claimed):   125bhp @ 8500rpm

Torque (claimed):  85ftlb @ 6500rpm

Chassis:  Tubular steel frame with

aluminium side plates, unboltable tubular

steel subframe, cast aluminium swingarm

Suspension:  Sachs 43mm inverted forks, fully-

adjustable. Sachs single rear shock, fully adjustable

Weight (claimed dry):  214kg (228kg Travel Pack)

Front brake:  320mm discs with Brembo

four-piston calipers. Standard ABS

Rear brake:  240mm disc with Brembo

single-piston caliper. Standard ABS

Front tyre:  120/70 x 17

Rear tyre:  180/55 x 17

Fuel capacity:  24 litres

Seat height:  840mm

Contact:  www. ukaprilia.com

Available:  April

APRILIA CAPONORD 1200, £10,999 (£12,290 TRAVEL PACK)

New Aprilia Caponord in detail…

Semi-active

suspension

provided class-

leading comfort

and ABS, traction

control and fuel

mapping is the

icing on the

Caponord cake

mind, is a little harsh but it’s not the best looking bike to come from the Aprilia factory.

Verdict

It’s a shame the weather was so poor because it prevented me evaluating the new Caponord fully. But I can say the ride quality and comfort from the ADD suspension is class-leading. Over bumps and imperfections it’s so good it’s almost alien-like. I’m really taken by how good the suspension is – especially the rear over bumps and potholes. Considering the bike’s sporting potential, the active suspension is one of the best setups I’ve

ever experienced in terms of comfort and ride quality.

Yes, the clever suspension is grabbing the headlines – but that’s not the full story. The ABS is excellent, so is the traction control and the different fuel maps via the fly-by-wire are a nice touch and all come as standard. The 1200 V-twin feels strong, the dash and switchgear is straightforward and although it’s not the prettiest bike it certainly isn’t the ugly duckling of the adventure market.

I’m looking forward to testing the Aprilia in the dry so I can confirm how the semi-active suspension will perform when you’re attacking corners with peg-scraping angles of lean. The Brembo setup looks strong – but we couldn’t test the brakes to their full potential in the wet. And the engine feels muscular – but I only passed 100mph once or maybe twice in a 90-mile ride because the road conditions were so bad. We need more dry miles to give you a full verdict.

But our wet ride does highlight many strong points, the main being the amazing active suspension. And, more importantly in many ways, the Caponord is considerably cheaper than its competition.

Aprilia has thrown a very interesting bike into the mix. If I were BMW or, even more so, Ducati, I would be concerned about the new Caponord. I can’t wait for our exclusive group test to find out which bike comes out on top.

Aprilia has thrown a very interesting bike into the adventure mix. If I were BMW or Ducati I would be concernedAdam Child

The name means ‘Corporal’ in Italian

but Aprilia’s cracking adventure bike

should be a general with all that it’s

got going for it. Just cast your eye

over this spec…

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THE WEEK

02-06 20.03.2013WEDNESDAY 19

1197cc V-twin is similar to DorsoduroÕs

but remapped to give more midrange

The cruise control (top button) doesnÕt

allow your speed to be varied once set

WHAT’S NEW?

1.MULTI-MEDIA

PLATFORM

The Caponord is iPhone-compatible

with a built-in USB socket and

Bluetooth. By downloading an Aprilia

Caponord app you can store the

bike’s data, like wheel speed, rpm

or the amount of traction control

intervention and also watch this

information live as the Caponord has

a top yoke bracket to accommodate

your iPhone. With the data from your

phone, you can also record lean

angles, brake and acceleration and

record your route, then re-run your

last journey to your mates down the

pub. It will highlight your gear, wheel

speed, lean angle, traction control

intervention – all the information the

bike’s brain uses.

2.TRACTION CONTROL

The ATC system (Aprilia Traction

Control) is specific to the Caponord

but developed from the APRC system

on the highly acclaimed RSV4.

It uses information from the two-

channel ABS to monitor wheel

speed. Level One is for sports riding,

Level Two for touring and Level

Three for tricky conditions, such as

very wet roads.

3.ENGINE

The 90° 1197cc V-twin is very

similar to the engine used in their

Dorsoduro, but refined and re-

mapped to give more midrange.

The throttle bodies are actually

smaller, and the four-valve heads

have twin injectors and twin sparks.

Maximum power is a quoted 125bhp

at 8250rpm and maximum torque

is 85ftlb at 6500rpm. Aprilia also

claims the new engine is 20% more

fuel efficient.

4.FUEL MAPS

Aprilia was one of the first to use a

ride-by-wire throttle in 2007 with the

Shiver 750. It enables Aprilia to have

three different engine maps on the

new Caponord. Sport for maximum

power and response, Touring for

maximum power again but with a

softer response and Rain which

limits maximum power to 100bhp.

5.SUSPENSION FAILSAFE

All the electronic semi-active

suspension components have

filtered down from the automotive

industry which means they’ve

been tested for a huge amount of

miles. But if the suspension fails,

safe modes have been factored

into the design. If the auto pre-load

fails it will lock on the last setting.

If power fails and the semi-active

suspension can’t work, it reverts to

its maximum setting. With no power,

the suspension feels solid.

1

3

4

5

2

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YOUR DAILY ADVENTURE.YOUR DAILY ADVENTURE.NEW APRILIA CAPONORD 1200. READY TO ESCAPE?

OPEN WEEK-END: VIENI A SCOPRIRLA IL 20 E 21 APRILE PRESSO TUTTI I CONCESSIONARI APRILIA.

NEW APRILIANEW APRILIA CAPONORD 1200CAPONORD 1200. READY TO ESCAPE?. READY TO ESCAPE?

OPEN WEEK-END: VIENI A SCOPRIRLA IL 20 E 21 APRILE

Ogni giorno una nuova avventura ti aspetta. Preparati a viverla con la nuova Caponord 1200, l’ultima nata di casa Aprilia che rivoluziona il mondo delle grandi enduro stradali: tutto il comfort che hai sempre cercato, per viaggiare da solo o in coppia, insieme a tutta la sportività che solo l’esperienza Aprilia Racing ti può garantire. Caponord 1200 ti sorprenderà con la sua ciclistica evoluta, il potente bicilindrico 1200cc, e l’esclusivo equipaggiamento elettronico di serie: Ride by Wire multimappa, Traction Control su tre livelli, ABS disinseribile e, nella versione Travel Pack, il nuovissimo sistema dinamico di sospensioni semiattive ADD, Cruise Control e, per la prima volta su una moto, l’ammortizzatore dalle regolazioni completamente automatiche. Per tutti i viaggi che devi ancora intraprendere ma anche per le tue avventure in città, con Aprilia Caponord 1200 la libertà non ha confini. Dove vuoi arrivare oggi? opendoor.aprilia.com

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Il Servizio Clienti Aprilia è a tua disposizione dal lunedì al venerdì dalle 9.00 alle 18.00

Capo Nord_desert.indd 1 15/04/13 12.16