2015 Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally First Look

2015 Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally First Look

2015 Aprilia Caponord Rally

Earlier this year, Aprilia revived the Caponord name – a model that disappeared from the US lineup in 2005.

This new bike – the 2015 Aprilia Caponord 1200 – was designed by Miguel Galluzzi, the Argentinian who penned the debut 1993 Ducati Monster – a model that became an icon of naked motorcycles.

Regardless of who designed the new Caponord 1200, it was Aprilia’s answer to the versatile Ducati Multistrada. What Aprilia hoped to build was a crossover platform ready to take on any type of road.

Following the March unveiling of the Caponord 1200, we were impressed with its abilities – not so much as a uniquely versatile machine, but rather as a sport tourer with adventure-bike styling. To say the least, the bike was much more comfortable on the asphalt than off.

But Aprilia is out to change this with the new Caponord 1200 Rally, which was unveiled Tuesday the INTEMOT motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany.

Speaking of the new bike, Aprilia says its Rally is “a splendid representative of the global bike, suited for fun and long range touring and not only on asphalt, as well as daily mobility, of course.”

The Rally takes the Caponord 1200, and upgrades it with all the adventure-touring necessities. Aprilia adds ADV-savvy parts to the base-model Caponord 1200 – spoked wheels shod with all-terrain rubber, the Rally setup including a bigger 19-inch wheel up front (over the stock 17-inch front wheel on the base model; the rear on the Rally remains 17 inch), crash bars, a skid plate, an adjustable windscreen, panniers and auxiliary lighting.

Besides that, the Rally features all the innovations of the base-model Caponord, including the 90-degree 1197cc twin with twin-spark and fuel-injection. This engine is mated to a six-speed transmission that uses a hydraulically operated clutch for smooth performance.

And electronics are plentiful, beginning with Aprilia’s take on semi-active suspension, Aprilia Dynamic Damping (ADD), along with traction control (three levels with the ability to disable), ABS (ability to disable), cruise control, and ride-by-wire.

Aprilia says its ADD system, covered by four patents, is “capable of detecting the rider’s riding style, the amount of cargo loaded and the road surface conditions to adapt the set up automatically and in real time.

“This is an exclusive patented by Aprilia and based on its extensive experience in the field of electronic solutions that the brand from Noale has gained by winning top level competitions like the Superbike championship where Aprilia has been crowned world champion five times in four years.”

The 2015 Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally arrives with new paintwork on the engine and frame, and is available in three colors – Giallo (Yellow) Dune, Verde (Green) Army, and Grigio (Grey) Safari, all matte.

Aprilia also offers a variety of accessories specifically designed and developed for this model – including the innovative AMP multimedia platform.

Aprilia has yet to announce a price, or US availability, though it will be available in European dealerships beginning in January 2015. But due to the popularity of adventure touring in America, the Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally will likely make its way stateside.

Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally Highlights:

  • Electronic Ride-by-wire accelerator with triple maps (Sport, Touring and Rain) that can be selected by the rider
  • Two-channel ABS (can be disabled)
  • ATC (Aprilia Traction Control) adjustable to three levels (can be switched off)
  • ADD (Aprilia Dynamic Damping), a system capable of “reading” the road, recognizing the rider’s riding style and automatically adjusting the suspension set up
  • ACC (Aprilia Cruise Control)
  • Panniers
  • Adjustable oversized windshield
  • Hand guards
  • Side guards
  • Supplementary LED lights
  • Spoked wheels with 120/70R19 (front) and 170/60R17 (rear) tires
  • 6.34-gallon fuel tank

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