Aprilia Caponord

[viewdvb]

I had the opportunity to ride an Aprilia Caponord today. That's their 1200 adventure bike with active suspension. It has a bunch of sensors that check how the suspension is moving and what you are doing (braking, cornering, cruising etc.) and makes suitable adjustments to damping in milliseconds and even adjusts the spring preload for you depending on sensed load. The system, like the Ducati, is designated "skyhook" because it claims to float along independent of the terrain.
Major disappointment! With all that technology, it was not the magic carpet ride I expected. It was good but only somewhat better than my current S10 and my two previous bikes. When you consider all the expensive things that could fail, that's another major innovation I can live without. Mind you, it was very quick, light and agile. Unfortunately, as I know from past Ducati ownership agile can mean fragile so I'll stick with the Super Tenere.

 

[Dogdaze]

Good ride report. I too looked at the Caponord 1200, but all things considered and chain I moved on.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I spent most of a week in France and Spain a month ago on one and had the opposite experience. On the highway it was super smooth. When I was beating the hell out of it on a wide variety of the Pyrenee backroads, the suspension got taut and my focus was on the limits of traction.


I've got a ride report that needs to be finished, but here are some extracts about the bike.


Rented it at Hotbikes in Toulouse and highly recommend these guys. Christophe even speaks pretty good English, which is relatively rare in Southern France.

Cruise control was great on the French highways where the official speed limit is 130 kph. Note that I'm in the slow lane.

Video camera still image of going up into the clouds on the French side. The bike was on PR4 tires and did great in the rain till a couple of days later in Spain when the tires had no tread left.
Ooops
O

I had been on this road before and looked forward to the view down while climbing the switchbacks. The road is about as narrow as the previous photo and this is NOT the view I had been looking forward to. Hey, it's Europe where riding in fog and rain can be expected some of the time, and that's life. You sure don't want to miss a turn because some of the cliffs go straight down. Meanwhile, the big tour busses and box trucks kept coming downhill and neither is known for slowing down or staying in their own lane.

The French/Spanish border was past the worst of the weather and still had some snow.

Parked on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees to dry out for a little bit. From this side you can see the cloud base up there and get an idea of what looking down from the switchbacks would be like.

 

[Checkswrecks]

What else?

It IS a great sport tourer and rocks as such. The engine has all sorts of torque, yet very smooth. I really did love the exhaust note and having cruise control! Getting home, the Tenere was a bit of a heavy lead sled after the Aprilia.

At the same time, the Capo is certainly NOT an adventure bike and I can't see it as one even in the new version that has a baseplate and bigger front wheel. Too many bells and whistles, too much expensive plastic to drop, too much exposed.And while I really did like the engine, it not meant to be one which would let you idle comfortably off-road while picking through a rock garden while slipping the clutch.

Like other OEM sport tourer and ADV bike windshields, this one is all about looks, as it is too low and narrow. Even set high, it looks great, but for a sport tourer there is not much coverage above mid chest. The handlebars were swept back slightly too much. Not bad - kinda like the Tenere or the original FJR (pre-adjustable). Seat and seat/peg relation was perfect for a sport tourer, again not for an ADV bike.

The saddlebags were big enough for my needs alone but not big enough to hold a helmet. They'd be too small for the two of us on a vacation.

In addition to the electronic suspension, the ABS worked flawlessly - every bit as good as the Tenere and 1190.

Like on the KTM and BMW if you don't like the electronic suspension in full auto, you have a range of settings you can pick from. As with BMW, the Aprilia system alters damping and is not just changing spring pre-load like Yamaha does. The down-side was trying (poorly in my case) to remember the magic combinations of the various buttons you need to push in specific order for the different functions. The BMW and KTM are much easier to use, or at least would be till the Aprilia buttonology would be learned by an owner.

The traction control was great and may have saved me. I'd gone manual and set it down to let the rear tire slip a bit before I was riding on a road very much like this (we would have been coming toward the camera):

I'd been following a little work truck and elected to pass him on an inside right curve like where the road can not be seen in this shot, so I a maximum view ahead of us. So I move left, gave a beep, then leaned right really hard as we came into the curve. The bike was leaned down on the edge of the tire's shoulder when it hit a ripple in the pavement hard enough to hammer and maybe bottom the suspension. WHAM

This was when the traction control started in to a big hobby horse in the power delivery going brap-brap-brap as my head came by the truck driver's door handle. In retrospect, I must've hit the bump hard enough while leaned over that the rear started to slide and the bike arrested the start of a bad situation before I even picked up on it. The bike was definitely going sideways as I backed off the throttle slightly and just rode it out to finish passing the truck. Of course, between the truck on my right and the wall on my left, there wasn't much else TO do at that point.
::001::

I did prove to myself that I don't want to go back to a chain bike, which meant a lot as I keep toying with the idea of a KTM 1190. All in all, the Tenere is still my keeper, but I really did like and enjoy the 1200+ miles that I had with the Capo Nord.
::008:: ::008::

 

[Big Blu]

Thanks or the report guys.

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip checkswrecks! Wait a rental? From where?

Paul

 

[Checkswrecks]

Thanks or the report guys.

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip checkswrecks! Wait a rental? From where?

Paul

C'mon Paul -


My first post gives the name and two photos!!!


::003::

 

[fredz43]

Like on the KTM and BMW if you don't like the electronic suspension in full auto, you have a range of settings you can pick from. As with BMW, the Aprilia system alters damping and is not just changing spring pre-load like Yamaha does.

Hi Bob,

Thank you for the review of the Caponard. I am not sure which Yamaha you are referring to above, but the Super Tenere ES does change damping as you change preload and you then have a range of adjustments below and above those standard settings. Perhaps this chart will explain it better:

 

[Tyke]

I tried the Caponord about 24 months ago and TBH I just didn't rate the bike, maybe there had been far too much hype about the "magic carpet ride" suspension to me it was just plain and boring, in fact it didn't ride the bumps well at all.

The bike I tried was also suffering with some issues within its engine monitoring system and consequently had the worst bottom end 'knock' of any twin that I have ever ridden.

Strange that I saw the very same bike at a friends dealership only last week.............it is still for sale ........I do think it looks cool though

 

[Checkswrecks]

I was thinking the Yam only changed pre-load and stand corrected. Seems to me the Capo has +/-10 settings and AUTO.

 

[Big Blu]

C'mon Paul -


My first post gives the name and two photos!!!


::003::

Jeeeez, what's wrong with me..... no wait .... don't answer that! ::025::

Paul

 

[Checkswrecks]

I had the opportunity to ride an Aprilia Caponord today. That's their 1200 adventure bike with active suspension. It has a bunch of sensors that check how the suspension is moving and what you are doing (braking, cornering, cruising etc.) and makes suitable adjustments to damping in milliseconds and even adjusts the spring preload for you depending on sensed load. The system, like the Ducati, is designated "skyhook" because it claims to float along independent of the terrain.
Major disappointment! With all that technology, it was not the magic carpet ride I expected. It was good but only somewhat better than my current S10 and my two previous bikes. When you consider all the expensive things that could fail, that's another major innovation I can live without. Mind you, it was very quick, light and agile. Unfortunately, as I know from past Ducati ownership agile can mean fragile so I'll stick with the Super Tenere.

I've been thinking about what you wrote and do agree with both things you wrote. With respect to the magic carpet part, my own guess is that rather than the Aprilia being bad, the rest of the OEMs have simply gotten better to the point that there is less of a gap than there once was. The one thing the Aprilia, KTM, and BMW systems bring to the table is the AUTO feature. It was pretty cool to go from highway to beating on it through twisties and never have to change anything.
But like you wrote, I can live quite well without it.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Jeeeez, what's wrong with me..... no wait .... don't answer that! ::025::

Paul

I was starting to second guess myself and think that maybe I missed you joking about it.
It's all good.

 

[Rasher]

The problem is to some degree in that trying to throw on all this extra technology makes it even harder to keep the price reasonable without compromising on the component quality.

I would rather have a manually adjusted high quality shock such as an Ohlins over a lower quality electronic option.

I have to admit I really like a lot of the Italian offerings, but like many folk here cannot justify the cost of ownership, both financial and emotional, I just wanna get on and ride without worry - and beyond the warranty period.....

But if I turned up a rental shop in the Alps I would not pick the S10, I would probably choose the Ducati and ride it like I stole it for a week before handing back whatever is left of the thing to the rental shop.

 

[Big Blu]

......
...

I would rather have a manually adjusted high quality shock such as an Ohlins over a lower quality electronic option.
.....

I have to admit I really like a lot of the Italian offerings, but like many folk here cannot justify the cost of ownership, both financial and emotional, I just wanna get on and ride without worry - and beyond the warranty period.....
..

My R12R has premium Yacugar suspenders and it's a real treat to ride hard. I wasn't sure what to expect from the OEM suspension on the GSA, but the integrated OEM stuff on the GSA is dynamic and provides a far better ride in all conditions both on and off the tarmac. It has made a believer of me. ::012::

Have you had a chance to ride a Euro bike with all the integrated ride controls Rasher? Give it a go and report back.


The local BMW/KTM/BMW shop hosted the Ducati Demo Fleet for three days this past week end. The route was 45-50 minutes with much "spirited" riding! Rider turnout on Friday was low so I got to spend most of the day burning Ducati fuel and tires on the Multistrada, 1200 Monster, Diavel, Scrambler, and my favorite.... the 831 Hypernotard! All but the Scramble has the integrated ES and it was well sorted. I WANT A HYPERMOTARD, I WANT IT NOW!

Paul

 

[Balmorerider]

I was considering the Caponord, besides the S10 at the time. One thing that definitely turned me off the Aprilia was the lack of a dealer network. The closest dealer to me was 3 hours away. Given that I do a number of longer trips each year I was also concerned with getting stranded somewhere without a dealer anywhere close by. If that would not have been a concern I would have been very tempted to buy the Caponord.
I really liked the look of the Aprilia as well as it's features.

Chris

 

[Rasher]

Have you had a chance to ride a Euro bike with all the integrated ride controls Rasher? Give it a go and report back.

Tested a 2012 BMW GS with electronic suspension back to back with an S10, rode my Wilburs equipped GS to the dealers, tested the 2012 ES model, back on my 2008 to the Yamaha dealer and tried the S10. Also had a couple BMW ES Bikes when my GS was in for service.

My Wilburs shod GS on my "base" settings felt almost as comfy as the ES in comfort mode (where it wallowed badly) and almost as firm and sporty as the GS in Sport mode (where it was a bit harsh) and in normal mode the ES GS was neither as comfy or as good handling as my bike.

I suspect the latest dynamic suspension out there is pretty damn good - until it goes wrong, on the old GS models with just Electronic Adjustment a new rear shock was £1700 - about £2700 of your dollars - and about three times the price of an Ohlins...

...like I said if it was a rental, or I could afford to swap a bike out every two years before the warranty expired then great, but can you imagine buying a dynamic suspended GS of about 4 year old vintage and discovering the suspension is shot and will cost more to replace than the bike is worth.

 

[BravoBravo]

Unfortunately, as I know from past Ducati ownership agile can mean fragile so I'll stick with the Super Tenere.

And it doesn't even have to be particularly agile to be fragile. My last bike prior to the Super Tenere was a Moto Guzzi Stelvio. ;D

Bruce

 

[Checkswrecks]

Tested a 2012 BMW GS with electronic suspension back to back with an S10, rode my Wilburs equipped GS to the dealers, tested the 2012 ES model, back on my 2008 to the Yamaha dealer and tried the S10. Also had a couple BMW ES Bikes when my GS was in for service.

My Wilburs shod GS on my "base" settings felt almost as comfy as the ES in comfort mode (where it wallowed badly) and almost as firm and sporty as the GS in Sport mode (where it was a bit harsh) and in normal mode the ES GS was neither as comfy or as good handling as my bike.

I suspect the latest dynamic suspension out there is pretty damn good - until it goes wrong, on the old GS models with just Electronic Adjustment a new rear shock was £1700 - about £2700 of your dollars - and about three times the price of an Ohlins...

...like I said if it was a rental, or I could afford to swap a bike out every two years before the warranty expired then great, but can you imagine buying a dynamic suspended GS of about 4 year old vintage and discovering the suspension is shot and will cost more to replace than the bike is worth.

I'm sure not going to disagree with you, but want to add that we already are on a slippery slope, what with our Yamaha ABS/TCS/ECU/dash/etc.

 

[Big Blu]

Tested a 2012 BMW GS with electronic suspension back to back with an S10, rode my Wilburs equipped GS to the dealers, tested the 2012 ES model, back on my 2008 to the Yamaha dealer and tried the S10. Also had a couple BMW ES Bikes when my GS was in for service.

My Wilburs shod GS on my "base" settings felt almost as comfy as the ES in comfort mode (where it wallowed badly) and almost as firm and sporty as the GS in Sport mode (where it was a bit harsh) and in normal mode the ES GS was neither as comfy or as good handling as my bike.

I suspect the latest dynamic suspension out there is pretty damn good - until it goes wrong, on the old GS models with just Electronic Adjustment a new rear shock was £1700 - about £2700 of your dollars - and about three times the price of an Ohlins...

...like I said if it was a rental, or I could afford to swap a bike out every two years before the warranty expired then great, but can you imagine buying a dynamic suspended GS of about 4 year old vintage and discovering the suspension is shot and will cost more to replace than the bike is worth.

Comfort and sport are ride modes and there's three others. You need to go back for another test ride and working the suspension button, the one with the shock absorber icon, near the left grip. I set the preload to 1 rider + Luggage with panniers attached but empty. When I load up the luggage I either leave it at that or sometimes set it for 2 riders. I weight 225 in full gear. Now go back another test ride, and fiddle with the proper button and report back. Jeeez, now I gotta teach you how to run a modern BMW! ::014::

Also, with the ES suspension, throttle, ABS and TC changes dynamically as you ride. Bet your ST with Ohlins doesn't do that. ::013::

It's buyer beware when making any used purchase, but with suspension components it's more about the miles then the age don't ya think? My ST had 27K miles in 2 years and the suspension bits were in need of replacement so I did just that..... and bought the GSA! ::025::
The next owner of the ST can deal with the suspension, the PITA major service, maybe replace the CTT, maybe replace the clutch basket,.... and hope it heals the vibrations that were getting worse.


Rasher, I'm going to miss having the debate with you eye to eye over a beer this year. Sorry to hear you won't be in Austria this year for the AR get together and the KTM factory visit. :'(

Paul

 

[Rasher]

The ES - GS I rode was the older one - only had 3 suspension settings which were:

Really Wallowy
Slightly Wallowy
Damn Uncomfortable

Like I said, I am sure the later stuff is better....

...and like you said all bikes are going this way, which is sad, I am too young to remember old British bikes fondly, but even early 80's Jap stuff can be kept running for decades, with few parts that cannot be sourced as they are easy enough to re-produce by specialist manufacturers, or possibly made by enthusiasts own fair hands.

Maybe ECU's will be replaceable by some generic customisable ECU - were already there to a degree with control ECU's now in use for production bike racing, but running a classic is going become a lot harder IMO.


Of course this is of no concern to those who do replace their bikes every 2-3 years, but I have given up on this now, historically I would have swapped out the S10 about now, stumped up another £5-6k and hopped on a new bike, but I know the S10 will do a lot more than the 18k on the clock it now has - and that £5-6k would get me another bike or two.

Instead of wasting £2k a year on saving for the next bike I now see it as having £2k a year for MORE bikes, by the time the S10 is 10 years old I will have a garage full of bikes to ride so they will all do less miles and last longer ::008::

If the lotto win comes in I will be riding the latest and greatest everything, fancy the new R1 because it is awesome, KTM1290 as it is probably the best Alps touring bike out there, H2 Kawasaki because it is mad, a ZZR1400 as I cannot scare pillions on the H2, 660 Tenere for going off and exploring lanes, WR450 for more serious off-road and a Ducati Scrambler for popping out for Sunday Lunch at a Cotswold pub.