Q: When the current Caponord came out, was there a Rally adventure version already in the plans?
A: Of course. When we first started to develop the new Caponord, which was introduced in 2013, we knew it would be a family of bikes. At that time, we had the choice of which model to release first. Due to the heritage and sportiness of the Aprilia brand—and also to make something that was a bit different from the general enduro bike of the time—we thought the version with 17-in. wheels would be best. We’ve had it in our plans to expand the family with a Rally version, and that’s what we’ve done now, two years later.
Q: What did you do with the front geometry after switching to the 19-in. front wheel?
A: Aprilia has always been very focused on riding pleasure and dynamic performance. Our work was more than just putting new wheels on the bike. We worked on the entire package to maintain the performance and pleasure. We worked a lot on the front geometry. We have a new offset for the triple clamps. The fork is new. It has the advanced front axle, which has been moved ahead to reduce trail. A larger wheel means a larger radius. So, with unchanged geometry, you will have a larger trail. With the advanced axle, you reduce trail.
Q: The automatic preload setting works so well, why bother with all the others?
A: The other options were kind of free. We have the opportunity to electronically adjust the preload. Maybe somebody prefers, for example, the bike to be a little bit more on the front wheel in turns. It gives more opportunities of adjustment for the rider. We suggest that you leave it in automatic because it’s always a perfect setting.
Q: Would it make sense to switch to a soft, single-rider setting if you plan to ride the Rally in the dirt?
A: No. We are only talking about preload here. When we say single rider, the preload is suitable for an average rider who’s about 70 to 75 kilograms (154 to 165 lb.). So, probably, if you’re lighter than that, the automatic setting would be suited better for you. Same if you are heavier than that standard. Even in off-road conditions, you can go with Automatic and you will be fine. Also, the damping management is always happening automatically on the Rally, even if you set the preload for a single rider. Our system also has self-adaptive capabilities that meant we didn’t have to do any type of calibration when we switched to the new wheel sizes. The Aprilia Dynamic Damping settings and calibration are exactly the same on the Rally. You don’t have to do anything with the suspension when you go off-road, but you’ll probably feel that it works very well.
Q: Can you compare the Caponord Rally with the Ducati Multistrada?
A: The Multistrada is a much more road-oriented bike. We offer more versatility. We wanted to maintain the sportiness of the Rally version. Of course, compared to the Multistrada, the Caponord Rally offers more in terms of adventure, in the types of roads the rider can travel on. The Multistrada is more similar to our Caponord with 17-in. wheels. You will never do a Paris-Dakar on a Caponord Rally, but in off-road conditions you can use the bike without any problems and it behaves quite well. If we look at Multistrada, we offer higher versatility.
Q: Is the Caponord Rally built with a particular market in mind?
A: Adventure bikes are an interesting segment. They still sell well in Europe. Especially in Northern European countries like Germany, France, and Austria. The UK is doing pretty well. I would also say Italy, but it’s not the main market for this kind of bike. I think the United States could be an interesting market. The adventure bike segment is growing in the US. We are doing pretty well in the US with our sportbikes. We hope it will also be a good market for the Caponord Rally.
Q: Are the 1200 Rally’s tubular protection bars for actual protection or just cosmetic?
A: They are absolutely functional. We are very practical people. We do not like to add parts on the bike if they are not really functional. We added this protection to the fairing and the engine. With regard to the panniers, we already had them ready for the standard Caponord, the Travel Pack. But the ones on the Rally are different. For the Rally, we introduced aluminum-covered panniers that have a specific steel trellis support. This gives the bike a bit more protection in case of off-road use or a fall. And the aluminum-covered pannier cases are not just a matter of having an adventure look. They are also functional. We like to combine both these things.
Q: What can you tell us about the wire-spoke wheels?
A: They’re built according to an Aprilia patent from 2001, when we introduced the first ETV1000. This patent, with this particular construction, allows us to mount tubeless tires without a complicated sealing system. This helps to reduce weight. The rim is aluminum; the spokes are stainless steel. What I can say is this: Compared to our competitors, we have the lightest wheels in the category.
Q: How did you choose the Metzeler Tourance Next tires?
A: We test many brands. Usually the best sellers in the market. We want to be sure that the bike works with all the best-selling brands. We find the best solution for us—best performance, best mileage, and possibly best cost. In this case, the Metzeler Tourance Nexts are quite expensive, but our test riders gave the tires very good results. We did not want to compromise. We chose the best. The tires are very good on the road and off, probably because of the good balance of the bike, the good weight distribution. We also got great mileage out of the tire. We reached up to 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles) before they’d have to be changed.
Q: If a customer planned to do some dirt riding, could he mount some, say, Continental TKC80s?
A: Yes. The bike is homologated for 110/90 fronts and 150/70 rears, and in these sizes there are plenty of choices for more off-road-oriented tires. So, absolutely, yes. We’ve tested them. For the Moto Guzzi Stelvio, for instance, we have those sizes, so we already have a background and knowledge with those kinds of tires.
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