Best motorcycle for Highway 1?
This one fits you. Plush semi-active suspension, real lean clearance and factory luggage make a 300-mile day on the Blue Ridge feel easy, not like work.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
2014–2016 · Adventure · A variant of the Caponord 1200 ABS
Caponord 1200 ABS Travel Pack (MY2013-TravelPack)
Differences between the standard Caponord 1200 ABS and the Travel Pack
The Pavement-First Adventure Tourer
The Machine's Character
The Caponord 1200 looks like an adventure bike, but it is built for pavement. A 1197 cc liquid-cooled 90° V-twin makes 125 hp and 86 lb-ft in a steel trellis frame. It comes standard with ABS, traction control and ride modes. The real centerpiece is Aprilia Dynamic Damping, a semi-active suspension that adjusts itself while you ride. Add cruise control, a 6.3 gal (24 L) tank and the integrated luggage of the Travelpack, and you have a serious long-distance package with Italian sporting intent. It is not a dirt bike. The 17-inch front wheel and 6.6 in (168 mm) of front travel make that clear.
On a winding two-lane it feels planted and precise. It stays calm at highway speed and has enough lean clearance to use the full tire. Comfort holds up over long days, and you can set the suspension up for luggage or a passenger. Ownership needs a watchful eye, though. Two safety recalls apply to this generation: 16V-691 for the front brake master cylinder and 15V-007 for the output gear shaft. Confirm both were done on any used bike. Regulator/rectifier failures are the problem most likely to leave you stranded. Buy it as a sport-tourer with a tall stance, not as a trail partner, and it makes a lot of sense.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
Show full specs & equipment Hide specs & equipment
| Power | 125 hp (92 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 86 lb-ft (117 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1197 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Front travel | 6.6 in (168 mm) |
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) |
| Dry weight | 503 lb (228 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 6.3 gal (24 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Electronic Suspension Standard
- Cruise Control Motorcycles With Cruise Control → Standard
Comfort
- Heated Grips Optional
- Luggage System Standard
Safety
- ABS Standard
- Traction Control Standard
- Ride Modes Standard
What the Caponord 1200 ABS Travel Pack Adds — Differences vs the Standard Caponord 1200 ABS
The Caponord 1200 ABS Travel Pack (MY2013-TravelPack) builds on the standard Caponord 1200 ABS: the upgraded hardware, the key spec changes and where its character shifts. The full ride, specs, scoring and verdict are all right here on this page.
Equipment the Travel Pack adds vs the standard Caponord 1200 ABS
Now standard
Center StandCruise ControlLuggage System
Premium hardware the Travel Pack brings
- Suspension Electronic Suspension Electronically controlled suspension — the standard does without it.
The Truth on the Street
Over the years I've heard plenty about this bike. It comes up in paddock conversations, at club nights, over coffee with owners, and in the messages riders send me. Put all of that together and the picture is consistent. Owners rave about the engine and the suspension, and their complaints come down to seat height and life with a small dealer network.
The V-twin everyone mentions first
The engine leads almost every conversation. Riders describe strong midrange pull that makes it easy to live with, followed by a real rush toward the top end. Next comes the semi-active suspension, which owners consistently call plush and composed, whether they ride solo or loaded up. Many also bring up value. In Travelpack trim with that suspension, owners say it costs thousands less than comparable rivals while offering more advanced tech. A few add that it stays planted in rain and gusty wind.
Tall saddle, thin dealer map
The most common gripe is height. Shorter riders find the seat intimidating, especially when the bike is fully loaded. The other recurring theme is support. Aprilia's dealer presence is thin, so servicing and repairs can be inconvenient, and some owners say independent shops hesitate to take on the complex electronics. A handful also report glitches in the dash and the ride modes.
Known issues
-
Front brake master cylinder air leak (recall 16V-691)
A defective pushrod/boot assembly can allow air into the hydraulic circuit, increasing stopping distances. Aprilia recalled affected 2014-2016 models to replace the components.
-
Output gear shaft defect – rear wheel lock-up risk (recall 15V-007)
Faulty machining of the output gear shaft can allow the sprocket fastening screw to loosen, potentially causing rear wheel lock-up and loss of control.
-
Regulator/rectifier failure
The charging system component can fail, potentially causing electrical issues or leaving the rider stranded. Aftermarket upgrades are available.
-
Exhaust valve sticking
The exhaust control valve can seize, leading to poor low-rpm running or an engine warning light. Lubrication or replacement may be needed.
-
Dashboard character loss
Over time, the LCD dashboard may lose pixels or segments, making certain information hard to read. Replacing the unit is the only fix.
-
Fuel gauge float sticking
The fuel level float can become stuck in the slider tube, causing inaccurate readings.
-
Excessive oil consumption
Some owners report the engine consuming more oil than expected, requiring frequent top-ups. The cause is unclear but may relate to break-in or riding style.
-
Rear shock absorber seal failure
Rear shock blew a seal at under 2,000 miles, dumping damping fluid onto the side of the bike.
-
Oil in air box
Excessive oil found in the air box; took two attempts for the dealer to fix.
-
Starter relay corrosion
Wiring in the tail area prone to corrosion, leading to starter relay failure.
The Expert Benchmark
Where this Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class
The shape of the Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS — numbers and character vs. the average Adventure
Head-to-head: Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Seat height
The Long-Haul Verdict
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Caponord 1200 ABS is actually built for.
Best touring motorcycle for long distance?
It will carry you and your gear to Going-to-the-Sun in comfort, with cruise control and a 6.3 gal tank. Expect a lighter-duty tourer than a full-dress rig.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
Alternatives to the Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2013–2018
BMW R 1200 GS (K50)
The Boxer That Rewired Everything
Roughly $3,900 pricier used than this bike at 10 yr
Competitor · 2010–2014
Ducati Multistrada 1200 (MY2010)
Superbike Genes, Long-Haul Composure
Roughly $1,600 pricier used than this bike at 12 yr
Same Platform · 2011–2015
Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 (MY2011)
The Big Twin Supermoto Bruiser
About the same used price as this bike at 11 yr
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