Caponord—a destination too big for Noale.

The Italian brand has always been synonymous with sportiness, whether on the track with its RSV models or off-road with its rally successes. In 2001, it decided to apply this expertise to the world of touring, creating a motorcycle designed to devour the miles: the Aprilia ETV 1000 Caponord.

At its launch, the Caponord positioned itself as a direct competitor to large touring bikes with an adventure-bike look. Under its protective fairing lies the heart of the beast: a 998cc V-twin engine derived from the RSV Mille. Although detuned to 98 hp, this Rotax engine delivers a throaty sound and generous torque, tailor-made for touring. Its rigid and precise aluminum chassis provides surprising handling for a bike of this size, making it agile in corners and stable on the highway. However, the first Caponord was not without its flaws. While riders praised its comfort and mechanical reliability, the electrical system sometimes acted up. Issues with the voltage regulator or alternator regularly tarnished its reputation—teething problems that the most knowledgeable owners have managed to fix over the years. Minor updates were introduced in 2004, including a redesign of the upper fairing, improved suspension, and new brake discs. The ABS version arrived in 2005. This first chapter continued until 2008.

After several years of absence, the Caponord made a sensational comeback in 2013. It is no longer the same motorcycle: it is more powerful, more sophisticated, and resolutely forward-looking. The new 1,197 cc V-twin engine, which produces 125 hp, delivers significantly higher performance. But the true innovation lies in its electronic systems. The Caponord 1200 is a technological powerhouse with its ride-by-wire system featuring multiple riding modes, traction control (ATC), and ABS. The "Travel Pack" version takes it even further by introducing the ADD (Aprilia Dynamic Damping) semi-active suspension system. In 2015, Aprilia took the concept even further with the Caponord 1200 Rally. This adventure-oriented variant, with its spoked wheels (19-inch front), aluminum panniers, and protective guards, targets a more adventurous clientele. While this second generation resolved many of the first generation’s reliability issues, it also suffered from some initial electronic glitches. Although it was capable of competing with the best adventure bikes of the era, it did not achieve the success hoped for.

Despite their respective merits, neither generation of the Caponord ever achieved the commercial success of their Japanese or German rivals. The first was an endearing touring bike but one with teething problems. The second, a technological marvel ahead of its time, failed to fully find its audience.