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Capo 1200 - Exhaust heat concern

T

too much

Joined May 2014
8 Posts | 0+
Toronto
I got my Caponord 1200 this weekend, and it rides beautifully, lots of fun, despite having to (somehow) restrain myself during the engine break in. I could write a page on how nice it rides.

Nonetheless, I am really concerned about the heat blast from underneath the seat. I can only hope it will mellow a bit after the engine break in, but at this stage, it was really uncomfortable yesterday on my left leg, I guess no pants with mesh backside on the Capo ? For sure I will not need a heated seat in the fall :)

Now seriously, today after a short ride, I parked the bike on the side stand in my garage and I noticed that the residual heat radiating from the exhaust pipes routed inside the frame, was so much, the entire right frame was hot, the shock absorber was so hot, I could barely touch it. The right side of the seat was cooking in the residual heat from the pipes :(

I am wondering what is other owners experience on the heat matter ?

Cross posted on the ADV forum ... Sorry, too lazy to re-type.
 
sometimes i feel a little heat (let's say warmth) comming from the upper cilinder, but this is at the right leg.
And I only feel it when I am standing still (red light for exemple)
But is does not irritate me.
I do not know if the frame and the suspention heats up or not.
I shall test it this week and i'll let you know.

Just for my information, what was the air temperature when you had this problem?
 
I don't notice the heat under the seat so much but the engine emits a fair amount of heat on my lower legs. I think it may become an issue in hot weather but one we'll have to live with.
 
Just got my bike couple of weeks ago and hav
email same experience with the heat. Is there anything that can be done?
 
My Caponord does have a lot of heat . Had a traction control fault come up after a long days ride on a hot day. Just wondering if the sensor is too close to the exhaust... Seeing dealer this week to try and fix problem...
 
I have the same problem with the heat. My leg feels like it its roasting. I would think that a large company like Aprilia would have fixed this a long time ago. I have two other Japanese bikes that do not have this problem.

My Caponord 1200 is a lot of fun to ride except on a hot day and in city traffic. The heat can be unbearable.
 
Could the 2014 Caponord 1200 thermostatic radiator valve be defective? Or is this a design flaw in the cooling system? I am not sure but if Aprilia wants to sell more Caponord 1200's it should fix this problem. I am thinking of selling mine and buying a comparable bike that does not have this problem.
 
Hi all, I've just joined the forum so forgive me for being an instant know-all... I have 1200km's up on my new (2014 model) Capo and it's been a stinker of a summer here in Australia - yet I've no engine heat complaints. I wear kevlar jeans and knee protectors and Goretex boots etc - however, I don't commute in slow traffic anymore..... My Capo has the big radiator and the fans come on at times, but my legs etc don't get cooked like on the Harley Road Kings a bunch of us Aussies rode around the USA some years back. I hope you find the source of any problems and get to enjoy what should be a great bike! Maybe the red ones are the good ones.....? Cheers Ps the map updates at the 1st service made a noticeable difference but I still think it's a tad to tall in the gearing.
 
Hi again Caponuts! Got held up in slow traffic at a road works site last week and noticed the heat you talked about! I just kept my right boot on the peg and used my left foot to stop and problem solved. The exhaust is concentrated under the right footpeg so it will get hot there in slow traffic. No other excessive heat concerns - try riding a HD or a 1098 Duck - they all get hot if trapped in traffic. Cheers.
Ps I'm getting 17.3k/l so maybe mine is tuned right by a good Aprilia mechanic - or it might be that I keep the rev's up around 4,000 even if that means using 2nd gear for 60k/hr zones. The motor likes it - oh and I finally got to use 6th last weekend out in the country.....you would not believe how smooth this thing is at 4200revs in 6th.....try it.....I have a Blackbird that is like an electric turbine and I was impressed with my Caponord! Happy Happy Happy......(sick puppy - eh?):)
 
Hi all, taking my new 2014 capo for its first long ride...2000km over three days in our southern alps..will comment on the heat on return (already done 2300km so its run in)..jn
 
Capo Keeps Cool in Aus

:DG'day again, No concerns about heat - exhaust is hot near right ankle when stopped at lights, but all exhausts near boots/legs are hot. Also, I found my Capo wasn't run in fully until 5-6000km. Now, since 7000kms, it has virtually used no oil and is a pussy cat in roadworks in 3rd gear. What a difference those extra km's have made! I get 320kms to the reserve light, then I often rack up 40-50km with the dash counting the kms travelled on reserve, filling up with 20-22ltrs. Haven't had the opportunity to run it to 23+ as I don't want to walk. I think it will go to 380/390kms max safe touring (only when it hits a reserve light at 330kms). Traffic and throttle yanking will see it hit reserve light before 300k.....:) Wish the ACC was a rocker switch with fine tuning.
 
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My Caponord no hotter than any other bike.....

G'day all.....(if anybody is looking....). I'm reading similar complaints on the 2014-2016 forum, and I have to wonder if the US models are actually running hotter than Aussie models due to (maybe) US emissions regulations (?).

At first I was thinking this bunch are complaining about the usual heat a 90 degree V twin will inflict on it's rider (because it has a cylinder head and exhaust plumbing right under the seat), then I figured, since it was US riders griping about an issue, that it may be a US model trait linked to stricter emissions regs (ie lean running)......if not, then maybe it's the fuel, or perhaps Capo is not the best choice for big city commuting duty....;) (Just a thought - do the panniers cause hotter city running temps??? - I use a top box instead).

Mine gets hot when stuck in peak hour traffic (just like every one of the 16 new bikes I've owned), but I only notice it because the Cat Converter is right beside my right boot.....no thigh roasting etc....US models have extra exhaust plumbing jammed into the under seat area (optimizer kit) and that may well be the tipping point, whereas mine has plenty of air gap around it's exhaust header.......:cool: Hope you find a solution so you can enjoy a great bike!
 
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Slow Rider

I have the same problem the rear brake reservoir fluid has turned dark , the rear shock and spring were also to hot to touch I cut a small welders blanket and fixed it to he frame at the top and brake reservoir mounting bracket at bottom just large enough to block the radiant heat from those parts but small enough to vent some heat out. It also blocks some heat from your right foot
 
G'day Slow rider, I'm not so sure that heat is the cause of brake fluid blackening. My TP sat on the dealers showroom floor for 9 months before I gave it a home and the rear brake fluid was black as can be.......the engine had never been started until I bought it.

The fluid was flushed clean at the 1000km service and has never gone black since then. It stays good for 10,000kms at which point my mechanics change it, so I think the black discolouration is more of a seal/contamination/fluid reaction issue. My clutch fluid goes black every 3-5000kms, but the front brake fluid only goes a golden brown tint and lasts until Aprilia does a scheduled service.

Other owners have reported changing to Motul synthetic brake fluid works well.

Must add, my TP does not have the exhaust optimizer plumbing so I guess it doesn't get as hot and bothered as those that do and also I only use real petrol (no ethanol crap) if that has any relevance to heat concerns.

Cheers
 
Afternoon one and all,

Just bought a brand new Capo and it's promising to be all it was reputed to be - fast enough for an old git like me, smooth enough, unique around my home town and Oh Boy, that soundtrack. I lurve V-twins that make that kind of noise. And I don't have to take it over 6,000 rpm either - which I had to on the Triumph Explorer I chopped it in for if I wanted to make a nice racket.
Two questions for all you Capo freaks out there. ADD? What's that all about. I really, really can't tell the difference. Perhaps it's just 45+ years of biking which makes me adjust to the bike's behaviour. Is it just a sales ploy/gimmick, or does it actually do something for the ride?
And my buttocks DON"T appreciate being parboiled and/or baked every time I'm out on Kevin (the bike, NOT some strange bloke!). The salesman told me that Aprilia were sorting out a retro fix of some kind, 'cos they were aware of the problem of excessive heat being kicked out under the seat. I'm thinking of storing my uncooked lunch under there so it'll have time to cook in time for lunch!
Cheers guys/ladies
Capo di Capo
 
Hi, new to this forum.
Hey BrisaNord can you tell me who your Aprilia Mechanic is in Brissy please.
cheers
Hairy
 
The ADD does indeed work,
I live at the end of 1 mile of gravel, that by midsummer is full of washboard. The front end senses the bumps and controls the rear shock. I cant even feel the washboard, the bike just floats over them.
At least that's my experience so far.
As for the heat, I've had my Rally over a year now, the heat is as bad as ever, I commented on it after the test drive having read all these posts, I'll be visiting my friendly stealership soon.
Michael
 
OK, I'll persevere with the ADD - I obviously live in a very flat part of the world!

My bike, Kevin (don't laugh, he's very sensitive) had his first seeing to by the mechaniking person today, so I mentioned my hot ar*e to him. The mechanic, not Kevin. He knows all about my hot buns. That's Kevin, NOT the mechanic. DO try to keep up ….

"Oh Yeah, they do do that, don't they." Not very helpful. I asked if Aprilia were planning on doing anything about it, him being a mechanic in an official Aprilia dealership, would probably have to do the work and everything, so I thought he might know. "Nah, don't know nuffink" - was the helpful reply. Basically, as long as the fan's cutting in and blowing more hot air up my trouser leg then everything's working as it should be.

Hey Ho, next step to contact Aprilia UK and see if they know anything; presuming that Aprilia actually HAS a UK branch?

Still got that glorious soundtrack of course, and now I can take Kevin over 6,000 rpm…….
 
Late Reply To Hairyman......

hairybackman said:
Hi, new to this forum.
Hey BrisaNord can you tell me who your Aprilia Mechanic is in Brissy please.
cheers
Hairy
Click to expand...

Hi Hairyman.......sorry, just snuck in to have a look on this forum today.

I get the crew at 'Tony Armstrong's' (called Motorcycles R us) in Springwood to do the work.......Andrew is the senior/chief/head mechanic and he is top notch on the tools. The other guys are ok, and probably getting better as they do more Capo's but see if you can make friends with Andrew and go from there.;)

Ps Sorry......had time to think and realised I should have typed the bloody phone number......Doh!! = MRUs 07 3208 7999.

You're welcome to give me a heads up and I might be able to introduce you (for what that's worth....:rolleyes:.....the staff I knew have moved on, but Andrew is the bloke you want.).
 
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;)Hi Capo di Capo et al...... Kevin the Capo gives hot arse...eh? I'd suggest trying to use proper petrol and never (ie NEVER) use ethanol or you'll bugger the fuel gauge float and get a hot arse.......

Seeriously, on the other forum (AF1 - 2014-2016 Caponord's) there are many reports of faulty fuel gauge functions and the common factor is ethanol fuel in the UK and the US of A.

I only have nice 95 octane Caltex/Shell/Mobil?BP petrol to buy at a slightly higher price to the 92oct E10 ****......and my 32,000km old fuel gauge is OEM and working like brand new.

Also worth consideration, if you are not a 6ft 'GOD' buy the lower seat (or get the seat cut down 20mm) and you will not drop your Capo or stand tippy toes at intersections etc. I noticed the only time I thought my CN12 was hot was when I placed my boot too close to the catalyitic converter (which hides behind the right foot peg). A lower seat helps you place your full foot print in the normal position and that is far enough away from the cat to not feel any heat.

Also.also, if your bike is really new it will probably run a bit hotter as it slowly grinds the newness away. Expect it to take 15,000kms to properly 'run' in and seal up.....I know this from 32,000kms of ownership..cheers from Aus:D

Ps yes, the ADD is real and it works....just don't expect it to be more than it is (ie it can't "see" whats comming and can only react to what has happened). So I use auto nearly all the time and it is great.....if I want to fang through the bumpy bits I set it to manual 1up or 2up etc depending on the load and the suspension doesn't get tricked by apex dips etc. Oh also note that the OEM 180/55 is woefully inadequate and that the 6" rim will benefit from a 190/55 section tyre (ie no more scraping the centre stand when riding in anger)....:D
 
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