Aprilia Caponord

[Dogdaze]

If the lotto win comes in I will be riding the latest and greatest everything, fancy the new R1 because it is awesome, KTM1290 as it is probably the best Alps touring bike out there, H2 Kawasaki because it is mad, a ZZR1400 as I cannot scare pillions on the H2, 660 Tenere for going off and exploring lanes, WR450 for more serious off-road and a Ducati Scrambler for popping out for Sunday Lunch at a Cotswold pub.

Rasher, you big tart ::025::

 

[Squibb]

Having liked the look of the Caponord at launch, we duly went along to the local dealer once a demo became available.

Never got far though - pillion accomodation was declared inadequate by SWMBO. OK for a run to the shops maybe, but not a European Tour.

We ended up buying a Versys 1000 (Gen 1) - comfy bike, loads of room, vociferous engine. Great in the UK, but I found the front end a bit scary on the mountain hairpins in Austria/Italy with a full load up. Hence the switch to a 2014 S10 ES/ZE last summer. Not quite the punch of the Kawasaki motor, but all very useable & feels very planted. Pillion space deemed OK once we fitted the Altrider rack/Givi box combo - so the acid test will be a trip to northern Italy in late August. Can't wait.

..................... KEN

 

[Tyke]

Having liked the look of the Caponord at launch, we duly went along to the local dealer once a demo became available.

Never got far though - pillion accomodation was declared inadequate by SWMBO. OK for a run to the shops maybe, but not a European Tour.

We ended up buying a Versys 1000 (Gen 1) - comfy bike, loads of room, vociferous engine. Great in the UK, but I found the front end a bit scary on the mountain hairpins in Austria/Italy with a full load up. Hence the switch to a 2014 S10 ES/ZE last summer. Not quite the punch of the Kawasaki motor, but all very useable & feels very planted. Pillion space deemed OK once we fitted the Altrider rack/Givi box combo - so the acid test will be a trip to northern Italy in late August. Can't wait.

..................... KEN

It'll be good to hear how you get on Ken...let us know

 

[SAL]

I love the Caponord.

Unfortunately I am not mechanical at all. And the fear of, in the USA anyhow, a "boutique bike" failing in North Dakota and having to ship it a 1,000 miles for service and repair was/is enough to keep me from buying one. That is on of the biggest things I miss from when I lived in Europe. All sorts of exotic toys and places to have them serviced. Of course you paid 2x as much to own anything ... but you could it get it fixed at least.