software and recalls

Cheers Throttle fish,

Don't worry about software updates...... the service guys check for any updates when they do the 1000km/620ml first service and I doubt there will have been any new updates since 2015/16. The bike runs fine from new anyway, and updates might only be for minor details, not for serious things like engine tune etc and there is no way you can get access to the Aprilia PADS system so a dealership is necessary for some issues (like changing fork oil - special tools required).

Be prepared for a wild ride with the throttle until the motor loosens up after 10-12k kms (wassat.... errr 6-8k miles).

Have you had a good test ride yet..... just to be sure your passion for what is now an old design, is justified? (all the newer designs have lovely light feeling clutches and better headlights...... Capo was from a <2013 design era).

Aprilia is down 20% in Aus sales data for 2018....... how do they look over your way?

Recalls...... there was a recall for the Brembo master cylinder piston.... a 10 min swap, and some early models needed the drive sprocket checked for correct tension - but you will want to swap to the 16t sprocket anyway (or squeeze a 2 teeth bigger rear on if possible) to correct the overly tall gearing.

I can't recall much else....... mine was pretty normal...... just put some locktite on a couple of bolts that came loose in the first 1-2000kms and rode it. Ps... the exhaust servo motor cables will eventually stretch out of adjustment - must have PADS to set them - or simply fail, so you will have to install the Healtech ESE dongle while everything is running perfectly. Capo is a bugger to even get to the airfilter..... so much bodywork to peel off..).

Be aware, the engine oil will go black quickly..... this settles as your mileage hits 8k mls (the motor really does need more than 620mls to be run in) and the brake fluids go black from seal discolouration..... also becomes clearer with changes over the years. Also, the plasti-chrome headlight lens will burn down to dull grey as it is too close to the H11 bulbs..... the lights are very ordinary anyway..... a major source of complaints from the UK - very dark and wet weather..... not so bad here in Aus.

Capo was discontinued in 2016 (official announcement at EICMA) but there would have been left over stock available for sale ...... but the manufacture date should be on the VIN plate on the steering head........ so if it's an issue...... Capo is an orphan model now.


For research...... look at the 2014-2017 Caponord 1200 forum....... it is sponsored by AF1 in the USA - they are the no 1 site for Capo12 owners and all of the issues are discussed (everything was covered by the pioneers on their 2013-2014 models).... though a few continued to complain endlessly, many got their Capo's sorted and were happy....... also there are heaps of accessories pictured and discussed.

Sorry, just remembered...... the Rally model might have continued on longer than the Travel Pack road only touring version...... not too sure but maybe it had a late 16 production run which would qualify it as a 2017 model.

The rally came standard with Givi cases and the crash bar mounted LED spot lamps. A main stand can be fitted, but it requires the frame extension parts that are fitted to the TP version I had.

So depending on the model you are looking at it may well be a 17 plated bike, but it is still out of production, should that be an issue of concern for you.

Cheers

Cheers throttlefish,

Yeah, a 2019 model Capo12.......... what a joke.......

I had a late 2014 built Travel Pack, which I bought new in early 2015 (they were all the same from 2014 on..... just some behind the scenes improvements like new rings on pistons or oil splash shield on the alternator coils.....).

I had it for 2 years and clocked up 39,000kms...... the alternator fried itself on 1 Jan 2017 with 2months warranty to go....... Aprilia Aus played difficult and I wasn't going to wait for 2 months for a new alternator coil from Italy (if they had stock...), so I got the coil rewound locally with heavy gauge wire at my cost. Bike was back to great again, but the salesman gave me the keys to the SDGT 1290 for a test ride and I was hooked.......

I'm not so sure about a used Capo over your way..... be careful to check the exhaust end cap before and after a longish test ride (give it a bit of throttle too eg 9k rpm and look for smoke)...... to see if there is any soot build up, as this may indicate it is an oil guzzler.

The Capo was a lovely bike to ride but the TP & Rally versions have complex suspension you cannot service without special tools, and are incredibly time consuming to get to the valve covers for major services.

The screen has extreme buffeting issues which can be reduced with aftermarket screens.

I'm not so sure about owning one of these things as they slip into old age - the Travel Pack version must have stopped production in 2015 (I never saw anything younger on dealer floors over here) and the Rally would have been last built in 2016 (so some might qualify as 2017 models)....... parts used to be hard to get even when they were in production, so not sure about the next few years.

There were constant complaints from Euro & US owners about many issues like excessive oil consumption, noisy/rattly engines, poor headlights, and more...... but my Capo was good (it used oil 100cc per 1000kms) but was like a Honda for me...... I didn't lift the tank or fiddle with anything except change oil more regularly than the factory spec...... but my Capo had been pre-delivered correctly by my dealership and they had good product knowledge.

If your nearest dealer is 160mls away, I'd suggest looking at other bikes with a dealer closer to you...... even on the KTM forum guys are trading in on Kawasaki's etc because they have lost confidence in the complexity of the 'software' generation of European bikes. (just for reference, my KTM 1290SDGT engine uses zero oil....none....not a drop...with >11k kms/7k mls... compared to the disappointing rattly old dorsoduo donk which used oil from day 1 and never got better.... also Capo has a heavy clutch lever compared to todays models all with light, traffic friendly clutch levers).

It's a great pity Aprilia dropped the model (and ceased production in 2016) as they could have improved the bike over time and would have been a strong competitor to Ducati Multistrada..... but they quit after only 3yrs on market....... so buyer beware of Aprilia..... sexy bikes, but poor after sales reputation and possibly more money spent on style than engineering .

The specs also are against the Capo12..... it weighs 260kg wet (TP) and 270kg wet(Rally) and both only produce 105hp at the rear wheel (=125hp at the crankshaft) so performance & economy are adequate rather than exciting. Maintenance costs will be high due to being tied to the Aprilia dealerships for their PADS system diagnostics/adjustment and the time it takes to strip bodywork away for maintenance. There are so many new models in the 790-1000cc range offering same performance with lighter weight........

Only you can decide if the deal is good...... but I'd buy the new one if I couldn't talk myself onto a Vstrom/Africa Twin/Ninja1000/etc.(be sure to use semi synth oils for the first 8000mls to wear the motor in fully & change every 4k mls, after that you can go to a full syn like M7100 for 6k mls).

Best wishes for Xmas

Ps It looks like you are looking at a Capo Rally version...... they seem much more refined than my 14 Travel Pack was...... the forum guys don't complain about oil consumption issues or rattly top ends........ some whinge about heat, but I wonder if that is due to ethanol fuels as my old 14 model had no exhaust optimizer and didn't 'cook' my right thigh as some complain bitterly about. Also the Rally has Givi side cases - vastly superior to the TP cases. I wanted to buy the Rally way back in 2015.... but it didn't arrive until much later in the year (very poor marketing by Aprilia Aus).... and I got a super deal on the new TP.

No posts oir a year? Hello? Helllo? So any updates from anyone that has a Rally? Seeing any of these issues called on in the other posts in this thread?

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I have a 2015 Rally model. Bike is pretty flawless and one of the best I have had. Bought it at 16000 miles and is now on 32000. Serviced by myself * don't skimp 9n oil changes. Have an exhaust valve eliminator fitted and GRP can. Otherwise standard. Suspension is great, centre stand bottoms out two-up and have to have the suspension setting on harder than I would want. Junked the rubbish standard chain and fitted a Scottoiler. A bit of noise from the front cylinder cam gear bush and the fix is to fit a roller bearing but I haven't bothered yet. Marks out of 10 - 7!

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Well I'm back. Sold my 16 Rally. Really like it overall, but the post 2 post back sums it up.

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