Aprilia Caponord

The Aprilia Caponord has built up considerable following since its introduction and for 2005 it gets a very mild aesthetic rework and ABS as standard.

It's a big, fat squidgy Mille. Very soft ride, very comfortable...you can sit in the saddle all day. Most of the fun of the Mille, but slightly softer and slightly de-tuned, but more than enough performance for the handling package. A really nice, fun, enjoyable bike. The softer suspension is far more suited to real British roads and to real world British riders (it even beat the legendary Honda VFR in a recent test in Bike magazine). You can touch the footrest on a roundabout if you're trying hard, which is always satisfying. Fantastic. It'll do town work, traffic work, touring 2-up with Aprilia hard bags..... and it's got a Mille engine, so it'll always acquit itself if you go out with your mates. And now that Aprilia have dropped the price to £6,899, it's a bargain.

Aprilia ABS Article.

A Total Tourer that knows no limits. The CAPONORD is Aprilia's big all-purpose motorcycle, with advanced technology, a pacesetting aluminium frame and Aprilia's highly acclaimed, powerful 1000 cc V twin.

The utmost in all-round touring versatility and ridability. This go-anywhere bike rides with the ease of an enduro and delivers the performance and comfort of a great sports tourer. It performs perfectly on all surfaces and under all riding conditions. The Aprilia CAPONORD can tackle city commuting, touring, and off-road with equal ease and style. And impressive performance is on tap whenever needed from the prestigious and powerful 1000 cc V twin that has won such universal acclaim in Aprilia's maxi road bikes.

Despite the racing origin of its engine, the Aprilia CAPONORD is very much designed for ease of riding. The performance is there, of course, but in the CAPONORD it goes hand in hand with aerodynamic protection, ridability, comfort, smooth power and total usability.

All these characteristics are intrinsic to the CAPONORD, the bike the motorcycling press has pointed to as the best of all touring maxi trail twins, it's even beaten the ubiquitous Honda VFR800 sports tourer for real word usability in a resent test (Ride Magazine, Nov '03), all at the incredible price of £6,225.

Here is a motorcycle that is born to tour. All-round satisfaction is guaranteed by a perfect combination of performance and power, and a high level of riding comfort that even the passenger shares. These characteristics remain even when the bike is fully loaded for the road, with top box, panniers, and tank bag. The CAPONORD is a tourer that will keep on going. Ride it in comfort and with confidence. Nothing can stop you, even when the asphalt runs out.
Yet the soul of the ETV 1000 CAPONORD is surprisingly sporting. Aerodynamic styling, exclusive technical solutions, ridability and performance are all there, just as you would expect from a true Aprilia thoroughbred.

The 60° V twin engine is one of the CAPONORD's many strong points. This power unit is derived directly from that of the RSV, but has been thoroughly modified to make it perfect for touring.

From the word go, development aimed to achieve excellent ergonomics, rider and passenger comfort, and total wind protection. The CAPONORD can tackle even the longest journeys without fatiguing its rider and passenger, and its load-carrying capacity makes it as versatile as any motorcycle can possibly be.

The chassis, with its innovative and exclusive aluminium spar frame, not only adds visual impact to the bike but ensures a level of rigidity that makes the bike a pleasure to ride and permits performance cornering in absolute safety. The suspensions likewise ensure stability and comfort and adapt easily to all road and off-road conditions.

DESIGN
The Aprilia CAPONORD ETV 1000 is modern, stylish and refined, free from futuristic excesses. The bike is conceived and built to last in every way. No over-design, just practical, functional solutions that work.

Just like Aprilia's high performance sports machines, the CAPONORD has also been subjected to extensive wind tunnel testing to eliminate annoying turbulence and achieve a perfect balance between aerodynamic penetration and protection for the rider and passenger.

ENGINE
The ETV 1000 CAPONORD is equipped with Aprilia's muscular 60° V twin, which really demonstrates its incredible versatility in this bike. Powerful and aggressive in the RSV, this engine is tuned for progressive control, smooth power and an exceptionally flat torque curve in the CAPONORD. In short, here is the perfect engine for relaxed long distance touring.

The Aprilia CAPONORD's power unit maintains all the technical features that have made Aprilia's V990 such a success:
· Longitudinal 60° V twin design (short and compact for optimum positioning in the frame), with four valves per cylinder and double overhead cams with mixed chain and gear timing drive.
· Electronic fuel injection.
· CDI capacitor discharge ignition combined with Twin Spark Ignition (TSI ) with two spark plugs per cylinder. Ignition timing is controlled by the same integrated engine management system that also controls fuel injection. The CAPONORD's engine management system is completely different from that on the RSV Mille.
· Dry sump lubrication, for a more rigid and compact sump than wet sump engines, with no risk of lubrication failure during fierce acceleration, braking and wheelies. The lubrication system of this Aprilia V twin is equipped with a second trochoidal pump on the return line, a separate oil reservoir, and an oil cooler mounted in front of the engine.
· Mixed gear/chain valve timing drive with the two drive gears (one per timing chain) located in the engine block to reduce cylinder head dimensions.

The CAPONORD also incorporates the following exclusive Aprilia patents:
· AVDC (Anti Vibration Double Countershaft) system
· Hydraulic clutch assisted by the patented PPC (Pneumatic Power Clutch) system to control rear wheel bounce.

The tremendous job done by the Aprilia design team has given the CAPONORD:
· optimised power output with an ultra-flat torque curve
· maximum power at a lower engine speed
· engine characteristics that enhance touring pleasure without killing the joy of riding intrinsic to the world's best sports V-twin power unit.

The technical features that make the Aprilia ETV 1000 CAPONORD the perfect tourer include:
· Specially designed pistons and combustion chambers giving an ideal compression ratio (10.4:1) for smooth constant engine torque, specially at low revs.
· Special cam profile for more torque at low revs.
· 47 mm throttle bodies for smoother power and torque at low engine speeds, and an even higher maximum torque value.
· Sagem electronic fuel injection system. The crankshaft position sensor has a resolution of only 10 degrees of crank rotation. This gives far better control over the engine and delivers a far more fluid response especially at low revs. Idling speed control is now fully automatic and incorporates starting control. (The choke lever is a thing of the past!) The Sagem injectors reduce emissions (which are well under the legal limit) and incorporate a patented Sagem injected fuel flow control system.
· Differential injection mapping for both cylinders ensuring optimum fuel burn in each.
· The fuel injection control unit recognises throttle opening and closing movements and the Dynamic Ignition Advance Control (DIAC) System varies injection and ignition parameters to keep power delivery as smooth as possible.
· Tuned intake and exhaust systems for the highest possible torque at low engine speeds. Air intakes are 70 mm in diameter and the exhaust pipes are accurately sized to match them.
- High power generator, capable of providing plenty of electrical energy for this true tourer, powering the high visibility front headlight cluster and whatever accessories may be plugged in to the convenient 12 Volt accessory socket.

The Aprilia ETV 1000 CAPONORD's engine delivers 98 HP (72 kW) at the crank at 8,250 r.p.m. (ECE corrected) and a maximum torque of 9.68 kgm (95 Nm) at 6,250 r.p.m..

FRAME
The Aprilia ETV 1000 CAPONORD is the first and only trail bike with an aluminium perimeter frame. The extruded aluminium alloy, box section Double Wave Aluminium Beams are welded to aluminium-magnesium alloy end castings. This exceptional frame ensures the best torsional rigidity in its class.

Great care has been taken with the frame design to keep weight as close as possible to the bike's centre of gravity. The special shape of the frame also guarantees a comfortable riding position and eliminates the turbulence and drag normally generated around the knees and legs.

The rear swing-arm, also in aluminium-magnesium alloy, has a chilled cast main section, extruded members and forged ends for the best possible combination of lightness and torsional rigidity. The unit's design also maximises its weight/rigidity ratio.

EXHAUST
The exhaust system incorporates two all stainless steel silencers (to guarantee long working life without loss of efficiency).
The positioning and size of the exhaust ends was determined as the result of extensive research into aerodynamics and ridability. The solution chosen ensures significant technical and practical advantages, including:
- perfect balance;
- low noise;
- no irritating turbulence at high speeds;
- compact, narrow tail for quick and easy pannier mounting;
- emissions well within EURO 2 limits.

SUSPENSION
The suspension is of the same heavy duty type used on competition enduros, but are calibrated for exceptional comfort under all riding conditions, on and off the road.
- 50 mm Marzocchi long travel fork (175 mm). The Aprilia ETV 1000 CAPONORD is the only twin cylinder trail bike with a 50 mm fork fitted as standard. The fork is derived from competition enduro forks for top level performance, strength and, above all else, exceptional flexural rigidity, which is of tremendous importance to riding stability given the length of fork travel. The 2003 CAPONORD's front fork has a brand new setup for an even better ride.
- Sachs rear monoshock, adjustable in rebound and preload, and APS (Aprilia Progressive System) linkage. A practical, easily accessible knob is provided for quick and easy suspension adjustment to adapt action to all riding conditions from full load to off-road sports.

RIDING POSITION
An extremely low seat height (only 820 mm) ensures that riders of all statures can achieve solid, safe foot contact with the ground.
Wind protection is exceptional at all speeds, thanks to a large size windshield, integrated hand guards and a specially shaped frame and tank that keep the wind off the riders knees and legs. Only the CAPONORD can assure both the rider and the passenger such high levels of comfort on even the longest journeys.
The CAPONORD's aerodynamics were the subject of extensive wind tunnel testing at the University of Perugia. The incredible result is that the bike's coefficient of aerodynamic penetration (CX) is even better with rider upright than with rider prone or with the bike alone (without rider).
The passenger seat can be removed if not used leaving a large load carrying area. A special cover enables the spacious under-seat storage compartment to be locked even without the passenger seat in place.

WHEELS AND TYRES
The Aprilia ETV 1000 CAPONORD is equipped as standard with Aprilia's exclusive patented Tubeless Spokes Rim wheels for tubeless tyres and greatly improved active safety.
These exceptionally light wheels have hollow rims and hubs (cast in an expendable core mould) to keep weight down while ensuring improved structural rigidity.
The special spokes and large diameter spindles (25 mm front and 20 mm rear) give the wheel assembly extremely high flexural rigidity, essential for stability when tackling bends at high speeds.

INSTRUMENTS
The dashboard comprises two analog instruments and an easy to read multi-purpose digital display for clock, ambient temperature, coolant temperature, and litres of fuel remaining. The display also flags up a "service" message to notify the rider when a service is due plus any injection system malfunction codes. (Malfunctions as such are signalled by a warning light.)
Easy readability is ensured by large instrument size and blue back-lighting (adjustable to 3 levels of intensity). Blue backlighting prevents eye fatigue and gives the dashboard of this new Aprilia an even more exclusive appearance.

COMPONENTS
The Aprilia ETV 1000 CAPONORD features components of an exceptionally high level:
- Brembo brakes with Freudenberg brake lines (with technical characteristics similar to those of metal braided lines). Front brake with double Æ 300 mm stainless steel disks, floating calliper with two differential diameter 32 and 30 mm pistons. Rear brake with Æ 270 mm stainless steel disk and twin opposing 34 mm piston calliper. New type brake pads.
- Removable high strength steel saddle mount frame.
- Free form multi-focal light cluster with complex surface design, manufactured in special plastic for lightness and optimum weight distribution at a point critical to ridability. The beams are independently adjustable vertically (by means of an adjuster screw) and horizontally (by means of a knob inside the windshield). This means that the headlight can be set up exactly as needed for long distance touring even with full load and with all bags and accessories fitted.
The depth and width of the beam combined with the intense, uniform light from two H4 55W halogen bulbs ensure exceptional visibility.
- Practical 12 V power socket for intercom, accessories, etc..

COLOURS
For 2003 the ETV CAPONORD comes in brand new colours that really bring out this maxi trail bike's elegant styling. Alpine Red, Universe Blue, Oyster Grey, and Dust Grey are the four new single colours that make the 2003 Aprilia CAPONORD even more exclusive.

ACCESSORIES
The CAPONORD is Aprilia's globe trotter, designed for maximum versatility in all situations. That is why Aprilia provides such a wide range of dedicated touring accessories.
· ETV CAPONORD panniers complete with mounting rack.
· Tank bag with back pack shoulder straps.
· Centre stand.
· Aprilia Body Guard armoured cable lock.
· Low rider seat (800 mm).

LINKS
· Exploded diagrams and parts listings of Caponord.
· Caporider Very useful personal Aprilia Caponord site, full of every kind of tip and links.
· ApriliaForum Very active Aprilia Caponord Forum
Aprilia's page for the Caponord.
· Caponord pdf Brochure
· Servicing with the Axone device.
· Aprilia Helmets online.
· Aprilia Casual Clothing 2005/6 online.

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Aprilia Caponord