Leaked well ahead of the EICMA show, we can now officially talk to you about the 2013 Aprilia Caponord 1200, Noale’s adventure-tourer. Using the chassis from the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 as its basis, Aprilia says it has modified the “robust” chassis to suit the Caponord 1200’s raison d’être, though you would be hard pressed to get a weight figure from the company.
Inside that presumably hefty chassis is a 128hp 1197cc v-twin motor with 85 lbs•ft of peak torque, which isn’t going to blow the doors off on any spec sheet comparisons. Instead, Aprilia is hoping to entice would-be Caponord 1200 owners with the bike’s bevy of electronics.
Coming in two trim levels, the base Aprilia Caponord 1200 offers lower-spec suspension, traction control, ride-by-wire, selectable engine maps, dual-channel ABS, heated grips, and an adjustable windscreen. However, we suspect it is the “travel pack” option that will really tickle your fancy, as it adds Aprilia Dynamic Damping (ADD – Noale’s own flavor of semi-active suspension), as well as cruise control, panniers, and a center stand.
With 17″ wheels front and back, we doubt we will be seeing too many Caponords off-road, though the bike’s 6.34 gallon fuel tank should be a hit with the Iron Butt riders. This should put the Aprilia Caponord 1200 in direct competition with the Ducati Multistrada 1200, which also debuted semi-active suspension for the next model year. No word on pricing in the US market yet, though expect the 2013 Aprilia Caponord 1200 to be on dealer floors in Spring 2013.
Source: Aprilia
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