2013 Aprilia Caponord 1200 Revealed

Aprilia has a new entrant in the highly-competitive adventure-bike market with the new Caponord 1200. Revealed ahead of its official presentation at the 2012 EICMA show, the Caponord will go up against competitors such as the Ducati Multistrada, Triumph Tiger Explorer, KTM 1190 Adventure and the segment’s benchmark, the BMW R1200GS.

The 2013 Aprilia Caponord 1200 shares its engine and frame with the Dorsoduro 1200. The Dorsoduro’s beak is gone, replaced by a conventional fender, limiting the Caponord’s off-road ability. The Caponord should have much better wind protection for long trips with its windscreen and RSV4-inspired fairing. The broad seat and the saddlebags (pictured below) should make the Caponord 1200 a viable option for long journeys, provided you keep those un-knobby tires on the asphalt.

Full details will be released at EICMA but we have a good idea of what to expect from the Caponord. The Aprilia Dorsoduro produced 115.1 hp and 73.9 ft-lb. on the dyno in our review of the 2011 model, so we expect similiar figures on the Caponord. Like most current Aprilia streetbikes, the it will be equipped with electronic ride-by-wire throttle control, and multiple fuel maps, ABS and traction control. New features could include cruise control and, like BMW’s and Ducati’s latest offerings, semi-active suspension.

Keep checking Motorcycle.com for more updates on the Aprilia Caponord 1200 as well as other news from the 2012 EICMA show.

[Source: Aprilia]

By Dennis Chung