2013–2016 · Adventure · Buyer's Guide
Touring Comfort, V-Twin Soul
Call it an adventure bike if you like, but look at the facts first: 17-inch wheels at both ends and 6.6 in (167 mm) of front travel. By my rules that takes it out of the dirt conversation entirely. What you get instead is a tall, roomy road tourer with a 1197 cc 90° V-twin making 125 hp and 86 lb-ft, hung in a steel trellis frame. Aprilia APRC Ride-by-Wire gives you three switchable maps, with ABS and traction control standard. The suspension is adjustable at both ends from the factory, and Aprilia's semi-active Dynamic Damping was on the options list. It's a sport tourer in adventure clothes.
On the road it does what Aprilia does: the chassis is sporty, lean clearance is generous, and it stays planted when the pace climbs. It's also properly comfortable for two, with a 6.3 gal (24 L) tank for long stages. This one's for riders who want curves and distance on asphalt, with a V-twin that has real character. The caveat is how it ages. A rear shock seal failure, a warped front disc, a sticking fuel gauge float, starter relay corrosion and a brake master cylinder recall on 2015 bikes are all on record. Buy it with your eyes open. Check the history!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| 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 |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| Front travel | 6.6 in (167 mm) |
| Rear travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) |
| Wet weight | 472 lb (214 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 6.3 gal (24 L) |
| Fuel economy | 40 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Safety
I've listened to Caponord riders for years: in paddocks, at club nights, in owner chats, and in the emails and messages that land in my inbox. For the Caponord 1200 the pattern is clear. Riders praise the engine and the chassis, and the gripes are about support and small details.
The engine comes up first. Riders consistently describe abundant torque from low revs and a smooth powerband they enjoy using. Owners with the optional semi-active Aprilia Dynamic Damping talk about a magic-carpet ride that firms up when the riding gets sporty. Many say the bike feels lighter and more nimble than its weight suggests, and they credit the wide bars and a well-sorted chassis. Some add that the plush seat gets more comfortable with miles, and that the bike is strong value against comparable European rivals. The torque leads every conversation.
The complaints are fewer and quieter. Some owners report poor dealer service and slow parts availability. A few mention a stiff turn signal button, an awkwardly placed button for the optional cruise control, and turbulence from the screen unless you fit aftermarket parts. That's the list.
Front brake master cylinder air intrusion (recall)
Internal parts of the brake pump (actuating rod and cap) could allow air into the circuit, causing longer braking distance. Affected 2015 Caponord 1200 and certain 2016 Rally; remedy is free replacement of pushrod and boot assembly.
Rear shock absorber seal failure
Rear shock blew a seal at under 2,000 miles, dumping damping fluid onto the side of the bike.
Warped front brake discs
Front brake disc warped at around 8,000 miles, requiring replacement.
Oil in air box
Excessive oil found in the air box; took two attempts for the dealer to fix.
Inaccurate fuel gauge
Fuel gauge reading becomes erratic due to the float sticking in the slider tube; a known issue requiring manual adjustment.
Starter relay corrosion
Wiring in the tail area prone to corrosion, leading to starter relay failure.
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.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Caponord 1200 ABS is actually built for.
Curves, comfort and long day stages on good asphalt: that's exactly what this bike does best. Sporty chassis, deep lean clearance, relaxed seat. Just check the service history before you buy.
Made for Highway 1 / Big Sur · Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway
Two-up with a load on, it's comfortable and stable, and the 6.3 gal (24 L) tank helps. Cruise control, luggage and heated grips were options, so check what your bike actually has.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
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 · 2013–2016
Brakes That Corner Hard
Roughly $700 pricier used than this bike at 12 yr
Competitor · 2013–2018
The Boxer That Rewired Everything
Roughly $3,800 pricier used than this bike at 10 yr
Competitor · 2010–2014
Superbike Genes, Long-Haul Composure
Roughly $1,700 pricier used than this bike at 12 yr