Down sides of a caponord ??

HI

I just got my Capo, but I got the base version and not the Travel Pack. I can fit an Arai into my side panniers but it is a tight fit and only goes in one way. I don't think you will have any problems with a Top Box, mine seems huge.

In traffic it is snatchy, but I find going into 'rain' mode smooths things out. It hasn't got the highest top speed, but it is very eager and keen to go very fast. Although the power is supposed to be down on my GS, it seems much quicker and faster to accelerate.

The first service is 600 miles which I did in a week but can't get a service to 5th September.

New Bike glow keeps the identification of other faults down and I am sure they are there. But for what I paid, £10k for bike, panniers, top box and main stand, I will live with them

In answer to something I posted before; the seat was fine over a 400 mile ride. There are no cubby holes and I have a button for heated grips, but no heated grips.

I have the travel pack version, suspension is great back end just glides over rubbish roads, I have a small aria which fits into panniers with room to spare, my Ti teck bigger shell also fits. Down side first service cost £580 including fitting heated grips. My mates first service on triumph 800 cost £60.00. And I don't believe the PDI was carried out bike delivered with speedo set on KPH.

First service must be a dealer thing, as mine was £152 all in, and that was today. Runs better now I have covered 1000 miles, so FS was 400 miles late but I had to wait to get a booking.
Both my Arai and Shoei Hornet fit into the panniers, and easily into the top box. I don't carry the top box much as the panniers are big enough.

I do get heat from the engine and i don't think it is the best bike in town, but once out it is so much fun.

Which dealer did you use near Tring. I'll try them for the next service, and yes in London its a bit of an animal, but so much fun out of town.

I use On yer Bike north of Aylesbury. That's where I bought the bike and all round they are pretty good. This is the second bike I have bought from them and over the years I have bought a fair amount of kit too.

Cejsmith said:

I'm looking of a new bike , and this weekend I took out a caponord and I was quite impressed. I've now ridden all the major adventure bikes and the caponord is up with the best.

Could of questions though, are their any down sides, compared to say and explorer or gs 1200 and can you fit a flip fronted helmet in to the panniers?

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The biggest issues that are often discussed are the poor low speed fuelling, the lack of decent dealers, and the high depreciation. I'm very happy with my base model version, its just what I was looking for, but I got it at a good price and would be reluctant to pay the full price for one, for the reasons above. You can learn to live with the low speed surging, the throttle is 'fly by wire' and very sensitive, look around for a good dealer, and consider buying it on PCP finance so you can give it back at an agreed price if you decide not to keep it! I've done 3500 miles on mine and loving it!

First service

First service price is definately a dealer thing, I just had mine done by Wheels in Peterborough. £125

They also fitted my heated grips and topbox for free as I agreed these when I bought it.

I also found it jerky at low speed when I first got it having moved back to a twin from an inline four. I just altered my riding style back to my old TLS days and now don't have a problem.

Love it.

Have to say, only 700 miles done and I'm already ragging up my back tyre, especially on the sides, and that's without luggage and the wife on board. Again, just like the old TLS.

Now done 2400 miles. Last weekend went on a mini tour with Horizon Motorcycle Tours (excellent if you are looking for a tour) to the Ardennes Forest and round those roads it was just so much fun. Sunday it rained and rain mode was excellent, levelling out the power and allowing me to build my confidence in the poor conditions.
Monday I road from Bastogne to Amsterdam for three days work, and the Capo was great at knocking off the boring miles as well. The panniers and top box got everything in I needed for three days fun, + laptop and work clothes.
It used a bit of oil but nothing drastic considering how hard it was ridden (it was a very fast group) and the sound of the exhaust at full chat had everyone talking.

'New Bike' syndrome will always colour an opinion but so far I am loving it. There are annoyances. The usb being under the seat seems pointless as I can't put in a usb and shut the saddle. Closing the panniers is fiddly and I keep catching things in the lid preventing closure. getting used to it now so not a problem. Panniers leak but I always use dry bags anyway so not a problem. Low speed town work is no fun but 'rain' mode helps. Other than those things everything else is rosy in the garden. For what I paid it is an utter bargain.

Yep. Very similar experience, including the bargain bit (here in Australia).
Went with the gel seat and got the heated grips fitted as part of the sale bargaining - knew full well I would always be looking at that button and feeling I was missing something... can't help wondering why Aprilia didn't just fit them to go with the button?!? And the dealers are too- imagine they have to throw them in to 'sweeten' every sale, maybe that's a tactic.
On the USB issue, I simply got a 1.5m USB / mini USB cord, plugged in under rear seat and routed it through under front seat, tank etc to the steering head so I can power my phone (with it's GPS and music) and intercom up front. Now I'm looking for a mounting plate for a Givi topcase - a bit smaller (and less expensive ) than the massive Aprilia one.

Had my Capo travel pack for 10 months and 9,000 miles now, including a tour in Spain, Pecos and Pyrenees, really good bike, just what I wanted. Is not as tall, high seated as GS or Explorer and does not feel like a monster aka Honda Crosstourer. Long distance rides (300 miles) no problem with numb bum. If you get one, come up to Supersausage on A5 sometime to compare notes.

Had my Touring Pack Capo for 4 weeks now and have done about 1000 miles. First service was done at about 850 at Teasdales in Thirsk, North Yorkshire and was only £140.

I can fit my Shoei Air Wanderer full face large size helmet in the panniers.

I love this bike!

I can't think of any downsides; the low speed fuelling issue in Sport mode is just typical v-twin and doesn't bother me at all. Panniers don't leak (so far) but I wipe the joining inner surfaces with silicon every now and then to help them seat correctly when closing.

Standard silencer makes a beautiful noise with a real bark when revved (in the UK spec anyway) and having added heated grips I don't have the "got the button but no heat" issue. The heated grips work really well and I find that level 2 is all you need so far, maybe that will change as we get into winter!
Added a top box (the standard Aprilia one) which is very smart and my wife finds it exceptionally comfortable for a pillion passenger with that in place.

I've seen reviews where people have complained about the position of the cruise control button but I find it easy to use with my throttle hand at speed. When one of your other bikes is a Harley the Aprilia feels very easy to ride and to play with all the toys.

Oh yeah, it goes like a scalded cat as well.

The most fun I've had on two wheels since I was 8 years old and got my Yamaha TY80.

Now at 3000 miles. Had a long weekend in the Ardennes and loved the bike. All day comfort and loads of carrying space. Now the dark nights are in I have found the headlamp to be good, with a wide beam and decent illumination.

The engine is loosening up and the bark from the exhaust is just so sweet!!! One thing I did find was the battery drained pretty quick once the nights got cooler. My bike is in a garage and was a little taken a back at how quick it ran down. Optimate 4 fitted and problem cured.

Thought after a week

Hi there, I have owned my Capo for about 10 days now and have just returned from a weeks riding with another 12 mates in Tasmania. Tassie is a real test for any bike with very demanding roads requiring you're "A" game at most times with tight flowing roads through gorges, hills and coastline. I had packed enough gear for a weeks travel with panniers and top box. I had a pretty major moment early in the ride as bike "fell" off edge of tyre on to peg stand and stainless exhaust guard, damaging all. I had preload set on auto and it struggled with weight ( I'm 94 kg). I then set preload at 2 up with luggage which helped but not enough so I will look at a heavier rear spring. The 180/55 rear seems to have a really flat profile leaving no contact patch at steeper angles, would a 190/55 rear give a rounder profile with steeper shaped edges and larger contact patch? Traction control I had set on 1 and active set on sport. At speed into and through corners I was having trouble with confidence as front seemed to chatter and move and rear wallowed. How does the active suspension work, does it learn or does it just work on throttle movement? Brakes were great. Does the active suspension require getting used to? Has anyone else had these issues?

Also a quick mention, issues in first week, bike delivered with chain "drum" tight, left hand indicator globe blown, rear oxy sensor nearly fell out, front oxy sensor also loose, screw on clutch slave cylinder loose and found just before it fell out( yes, the yellow paint guy had checked this one. This led to my mates making Aprilia jokes for the rest of the week. A little care would go a long way to helping with the Caponords marketing campaign!

Now at 4500 miles and ridden through the winter, not everyday but had a few rides. Has stood up well and has been excellent when I have used it. Fitted Oxford heated grips which at £60 seemed a good choice, and so that has been the case. I have ridden on some very cold days and the grips have been brilliant.
Also fitted a Garmin bike sat nav so all set up. Rough fueling in town seems to have sorted itself out and I don't seem to put it into rain mode anymore. Had a ride through central London in thick traffic and it was fine, no worse than any other high capacity bike.

Pannier strap in the left pannier has snapped, and the chain needs a lot of attention. Seems impossible to adjust as well, and having just read the thread on chain adjustment pleased its not just me.

Still think it is brilliant and looking forward to the warmer weather and drier roads.

Hi all. Hop over to the 'other forum' and read up on all the cheap and easy mods that will save you $ and time. It's just a normal bike, once you understand how the Italians think.

Anything comes loose - Loctite it. Anything (Feking cat on lap wants food.....) looks like it might come loose - Loctite it. All covered in these wonderful pages (and sometimes with photos!). I've clocked up 9,600kms and will shortly be in for the 10,000 scheduled service.

What a brilliant bike these things are once you 'fettle' them (though my dealer has a great mechanic who also works on race bikes....so my Capo has been properly pre-delivered - thanks Andrew...you are the best). Go to M'cycles R Us if you are in Brisbane Au-bloody-straylia!

Ps Fit a 190/55 PR4 rear tyre......and be well pleased!

Go the 190 tyre asap.
Changes the handling and cornering confidence dramatically for the better instantly!

190/55

Too right Cliff'y....just make sure it's the 55 profile......you don't want the 190/50 as it will be about 10mm lower than the 190/55 and might even be identical to the OEM Dunlop (I don't know for sure and it doesn't matter as the PR4 190/55 is just so 'right')