First Ride: 2002 Aprilia ETV 1000 CapoNord - Motorcycle.com
Torrance, California, December 17, 2001
For a company who has managed a name for themselves by producing title-winning racing machines, the last thing anybody expected was a utilitarian sport-tourer.
The more conventional Futura seemed destined from the start, but Aprilia's new CapoNord has turned some heads. What's an Aprilia doing this far off the beaten path?
Approaching the bike at first, it's easy to think its allegiance falls along the same lines as BMW's R1150GS. Looking much like something out of a Cagney space flick as penned by Hunter S Thompson whilst in the midst of a Jimson Weed escapade, the Aprilia cloaks itself in duds best described as "angular." That may be a polite way of saying "ugly," but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all.
In the grand scheme of things, the only other bikes in existence that fill the same odd niche as the Capo' are Triumph's Tiger and BMW's R1150GS. There is, of course, Suzuki's new V-Strom which takes aim at the same group the CapoNord intends to persuade, but we won't be seeing that bike until at least March.
In the meantime, this market segment continues to grow, and the new CapoNord from Aprilia is a serious contender in it -- a strong effort in a do-it-all touring bike from a company that started out in racing but is ending up in our hearts.
Specifications
Engine: Four-stroke, longitudinal 60 V twin, with anti-vibration double countershaft (AVDC patent)
Displacement: 997.62 cc
Bore and Stroke: 97 x 67.5 mm
Gearbox: 6 ratio
Fuel Injection: Integrated electronic engine regulation system. Indirect multipoint electronic injection. Diameter of throttle bodies: 47 mm 91 octane unleaded
Ignition: Digital electronic with two spark plugs per cylinder (TSI Twin Spark Ignition), integrated with injection.
Frame: Wave Twin Beam in box-type aluminium-magnesium alloy, highly-resistant removable steel rear subframe
Front suspension: Hydraulic Marzocchi fork, 50 mm sleeves, wheel travel 6.9 inches
Rear suspension: Swingarm in aluminium alloy, progressive linkage with APS (Aprilia Progressive System). Sachs hydraulic shock absorber, adjustable in rebound and preload. Wheel travel, 7.3 inches.
Front brake: Stainless steel 300 mm diameter Brembo double floating disk. Twin pot floating calipers, differentiated diameter (32 and 30 mm) semi-metallic pads. Freudenberg brake lines
Rear brake: Stainless steel 270 mm diameter disk. Twin pot caliper, 34 mm diameter Freudenberg brake lines
Tires: Tubeless radial; Front: 110/80 VR 19 Rear: 150/70 VR 17
Tank: Capacity 6.6 gal.
Weight: 474 Ibs 215 kg (dry)
Max HP : 86.2 hp @ 8300 rpm
Max Torque : 57.6 lb/ft @ 6800 rpm
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