Trail – Caponord 1200 test: sports trail according to Aprilia – Technical update on the Caponord 1200

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Caponord 1200 test: sports trail according to Aprilia

Trail - Caponord 1200 test: sports trail according to Aprilia - Technical update on the Caponord 1200

In 2013, Aprilia launched a new road trail: a Caponord 1200, from the explosive Dorsoduro! It features ABS and traction control, as well as electronic suspensions in its Travel Pack version, being tested on site !

Technical update on the Caponord 1200

Cycle part

The Caponord 1200 borrows the technical basis of the Dorsoduro 1200, "fun-bike"of the Aprilia range. We therefore find the mixed structure composed of the trellis frame in steel tubes and die-cast aluminum plates. According to the manufacturer,"this exclusive configuration allows a perfect balance of the masses, and an optimal resistance to torsion".

The chassis was however "thoroughly revised, in order to find new benchmarks in terms of handling, without neglecting the high-speed stability that this twin is able to achieve". The gasoline tank which overhangs the assembly allows to embark 24 liters of gasoline, against 15 on the Dorsoduro.

At the same time, the all-new steel rear buckle "provides extreme strength for long journeys at full load"and includes the original case supports, available as accessories or supplied automatically on the" Travel Pack "version.

The lateral position of the shock absorber, which connects the chassis to the aluminum swingarm, still facilitates the arrangement of the exhaust pipes, keeps the shock away from heat sources, and offers excellent access to the various settings.

The Caponord 1200 indeed receives a Sachs shock absorber manually adjustable in rebound and spring preload. Up front, the 43mm diameter Sachs inverted fork is fully adjustable: rebound and compression on the left tube, spring preload on the right tube.

Aluminum rims – so "ultra light", do not fail to indicate Aprilia! – of 17 inches are inspired by those of the Superbike RSV4 and help to reduce to a minimum the gyroscopic effect of the unsprung masses, for the benefit of handling.

Presented at the Milan Motor Show with a 190 mm wide rear tire, the Caponord 1200 finally wears a 180. The models at our disposal were fitted with Dunlop Qualifier II, but the Capo ‘could also arrive in dealerships on Bridgestones. The Italians have yet to confirm !?

On the practical side, the Caponord has a variable height screen: the adjustment is manual, via two knobs, and the manufacturer – as well as Moto-NetCom! – recommends that the pilot stop to perform the operation. Hand guards come standard and heated grips are optional.

Finally, the Brembo braking system features two 320mm steel floating discs at the front, gripped by Brembo monobloc calipers (type M432) with 4 radially mounted pistons. At the rear is installed a 240 mm disc and a single-piston floating caliper, still Brembo brand.

Aprilia Caponord 1200 is fitted with the ABS system as standard (see Electronics).

Engine

The Caponord 1200 also shares with the Dorsoduro 1200 the 90 V-twin. It still cubs exactly 1197 cc and retains its supersquare bore / stroke ratio (106 x 67.8 mm) which "emphasizes the sporty temperament and increases the engine compartment from the lowest revs", say the Italians.

We also find the electronic accelerator "Ride by Wire" with triple mapping (Sport, Tourism, Rain), the Magneti Marelli 7SM injection with double injection body (52 mm against 57 on the Dorsoduro) and their "micro-atomizing injectors".

The double overhead camshaft timing is still controlled by a mixed chain / gear system, four valves per cylinder and dual ignition – the second spark plug is used on the first 5,000 revolutions -.

The "Twelve cents" Aprilia however suffered "important modifications in terms of electronics". Three objectives were pursued:"obtain more gradual acceleration from low revs (for the benefit of comfort), enhance driving pleasure thanks to even higher torque values ​​(for the benefit of pleasure)", and reduce fuel consumption.

At the same time, the final transmission has been lengthened (16×40 on the Dorso ‘, 17×42 on the Capo’). It increases the top speed, but above all allows the engine to run at a lower speed on the motorway, to save fuel and increase comfort..

The data transfer is always done via a CAN line which makes it possible to reduce the number of electrical harnesses present. The 690W alternator, more powerful than on the Dorsoduro, can supply the various electrical accessories provided in the options catalog.

Small aesthetic bonus for sports purists: the silencer is adjustable in height! If the suitcases are missing, it can be raised a few centimeters to give the bike an even more dynamic look. The operation requires tools: "installing a simpler system would have been possible, but more expensive !"

Electronic

Inaugurated on, the Aprilia Ride by Wire system has continued to progress… Fortunately! "On the Caponord 1200, the level of efficiency and reliability of the system reaches new heights", promise the Italians.

The Ride by Wire system now dialogues perfectly with the engine’s electronic control unit, and brilliantly manages the power at each level of acceleration: "guaranteeing perfect handling at low revs, responsiveness at medium revs and exemplary power at high revs", argue the transalpine engineers.

The mapping, which can be selected directly on the handlebars and on the move, allows the rider to choose between three different driving modes, and to be able to adapt his motorcycle instantly to his driving. All the pilot has to do is let go of the accelerator, press the starter twice in a row, then select the type of configuration required using the same starter, a sufficient gas stroke to validate his choice..

  • Sport : engine performance is maximized with direct acceleration, ready to serve aggressive driving

  • Tourism : maximum power is the same as in Sport mode, but acceleration becomes smoother and suitable for more everyday driving or for touring

  • Rain : power is limited to 100 hp (in the free world!), to ensure control and safety when grip conditions are not optimal

ABS and Aprilia Traction Control (ATC) both come standard on the Caponord 1200 and can be disabled independently, depending on driving conditions..

The two-channel ABS system is supplied by Continental: it operates independently on the front and rear wheels, but is not coupled.

Its calibration is fine enough to allow the rider to take full advantage of the potential of the chassis in sporty driving, without ever being hampered, even during emergency braking. It guarantees, MNC can testify, maximum safety on slippery roads.

ATC (Aprilia Traction Control) is derived from Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) from which the RSV4 and Tuono V4 benefit. The sporty trail skips the "Launch Control", but retains the assurance of having the best possible grip in all road conditions, via three levels of control described as follows by Aprilia…

  • Level 1 : for a unique pure sport driving experience, 100% sensations and adrenaline

  • Level 2 : suitable for town and tourism, and in general to manage engine power in all conditions

  • Level 3: ideal for safely facing difficult situations, such as poor road grip, while maintaining full control

Travel Pack

The Caponord 1200 that we were able to test was equipped with the "Travel Pack", which includes ADD, cruise control, center stand and side cases.

ADD (Aprilia Dynamic Damping) is a new "dynamic semi-active suspension system developed by Aprilia and protected by four patents"It takes inspiration from automotive systems and even shares some components,"to guarantee maximum reliability", justifies the firm of Noale.

"Sachs mostly works for car manufacturers", says Andrea Ricci Ianino,"yet they demand absolute zero defect from their suppliers !". According to our interlocutor, the risk of being thrown off a defective ADD system is therefore zero, and the reliability over time would be excellent..

"We have driven 50,000 km with our development models, and we inspect the suspensions every 10,000 km: nothing is moving !", beg us to believe the Italian engineer…

"Thanks to the pressure sensor located at the top of the left fork tube and to a potentiometer located between the frame and the swingarm, the electronic control unit continuously monitors the work of the suspensions ", explains" professor "Andrea.

"The machine recognizes the driving phases (acceleration, deceleration, braking, constant speed) and adapts the suspension hydraulics in real time, to maximize comfort and maintain the balance of the motorcycle", he sums up.

"All this is possible thanks to the exclusive patented method which combines the principles of algorithms "skyhook"and"acceleration driven damping", well known in the automotive world", he specifies for the attention of the most curious.

"The valves which control the hydraulics of the suspensions take only 10 thousandths of a second to go from the fully open to the fully closed position, and vice versa". Thus, the rider benefits from the maximum performance of his forks and rear shock absorber..

"On electromechanical suspension calibration systems that already exist on the market, the pilot presses a button on the handlebars to activate an electric motor which changes the suspension setting.", continues Andrea Ricci Ianino.

"On the other hand, on Aprilia’s dynamic ADD semi-active suspension system, all the rider has to do is drive. The bike adapts automatically to the rider, and not the other way around, he does not have to preselect modes, it is fully automatic", tackles the transalpine engineer…

On the Caponord 1200 Travel Pack, the shock absorber preload – with incorporated piggy back – is electrically adjustable to four preset positions, indicated by icons on the digital dial: pilot alone, pilot with passenger, pilot with side cases, pilot and passenger with side cases.

"It is also possible to let the motorcycle manage this preload on its own by switching to automatic mode. Thus, our system becomes almost entirely "active" since the spring setting is modified during rolling.".

Other device included in the "Travel Pack": the cruise control which allows you to drive at the desired speed and maintain it constant whether on the flat, uphill or downhill, without having to act on the accelerator.

The system is deactivated automatically as soon as the pilot activates any brake / clutch control as well as the cruise control button. Very useful on the motorway, it would participate according to Aprilia "fuel economy"and makes driving both less tiring and less stressful !

Finally, the design of the Caponord has, from the start, been thought out by considering the side cases as an integral part of the vehicle. This, in addition to the low position of the exhaust silencer, has significantly reduced the dimensions of the motorcycle, and avoids having to fix unsightly brackets..

Once in place, the 29-liter side cases – they each accommodate a full-face helmet – follow the rear of the motorcycle as closely as possible and limit the total width to 908 mm.

These cases – in the same color as the body – as well as the central stand are also available in the accessories catalog for owners of the standard Caponord 1200. On the contrary, the DDA and Cruise Control are exclusive to the version "Travel Pack".

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