GRITTY NEW LOOKS

The Aprilia range sports new liveries for the RSV4, RS 660, Tuono V4 and Tuono 660. Take a look through the catalogue and discover which new color you would choose to make your mark on the road and track.













MOTOGP 2022 – RACE – ARGENTINAGP

APRILIA TRIUMPHS IN THE GP OF ARGENTINA, IT’S THE FIRST WIN IN MOTOGP

WITH A MASTERFUL RACE, ALEIX ESPARGARÓ WINS AT TERMAS DE RIO HONDO AND MOVES INTO THE LEAD OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

MAVERICK VIÑALES, SEVENTH ACROSS THE LINE, TOPS OFF A HISTORIC DAY FOR THE MANUFACTURER FROM NOALE

Aprilia triumphs in the Grand Prix of Argentina, taking its first victory in the MotoGP class along with Aleix Espargaró. For the Noale-based manufacturer, one of the most victorious brands in the history of motorcycle racing, this is win number 295 in World Championship GP Motorcycle Racing, the first in the new four-stroke era of the premier two-wheeler class after countless wins in the 125 and 250 cc categories.

A historic day that also crowns Aleix Espargaró on the day of his 200th GP in the premier class. As a true team captain, Aleix was the star of a weekend to remember, made up of a pole position, the win, and the fastest lap in the race. An unmistakeable sign of the outstanding level of competitiveness the 2022 Aprilia RS-GP has reached.

Thanks to this win, Espargaró is now leading in the overall rider standings with 45 points, further demonstration of a more than positive season start for the entire Aprilia Racing team which, at Termas de Rio Hondo, also saw Maverick Viñales taking home his best performance of the season after staying in the top five for quite a few laps.

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ

“I'm very proud of this milestone we’ve reached. We tackled a long path to get here, but we’ve finally done it! It was a fantastic weekend, but it wasn’t a simple race. In practice I was extremely fast, as well as in the warm-up session, but in the race I struggled a bit with a lack of grip. I didn't lose heart. I tried changing the electronic settings several times to overcome these problems and, in the end, I managed to improve. I was faster than Martín by a few tenths, but it wasn’t at all easy to overtake him, partly because it was a new situation for me. I had never been in the position to battle for a win in MotoGP. It was truly exciting, especially the last lap. I am extremely happy for Aprilia, for me, and for my family. We deserve it. I would like to thank again all the team, who is working hard in Noale and the Piaggio Group for the support. Now we’re leading in the championship, but we’ll just try to take advantage of this positive moment, continuing to have fun and keeping our feet planted firmly on the ground.”

MAVERICK VIÑALES

“Today’s result was a great one for all of us. I'm extremely happy for the entire team and for Aleix. We worked hard over the winter and we deserve it. I knew that Aleix could win because in practice he had demonstrated something more than all the rest. We were all hoping hard because this win is extremely important and it’s a great confidence booster for everyone. As for my race, I found myself battling with a lot of rivals, losing time with passes and counter-passes, and that also had an impact on the tyres. But I can’t complain. It’s great to be back in the top ten, especially because I think I could have finished even better. Plus, my pace in the race improved a lot and I found a good base feeling with the bike. In this race, we were seeking confirmation after the changes to the settings that we tried in the warm-up session in Indonesia, and we got it, so now I'm convinced that we’ll be able to improve even more from here on out.”

NEW 2022 APRILIA PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT DEALERSHIPS

TUAREG, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE 2022 RANGE IS NOW ARRIVING IN APRILIA RETAILERS, THESE NEW MODELS COME WITH SOME EXCITING FEATURES 

TUONO 660 BECOMES FACTORY, A PRESTIGIOUS NAME SYNONYMOUS WITH TECHNOLOGICAL SUPREMACY AND REAL SPORTS ATTITUDE

AGGRESSIVE NEW TOTAL BLACK GRAPHICS FOR THE FACTORY VERSIONS OF APRILIA FLAGSHIP MODELS RSV4 AND TUONO V4

RS 660 AS A LIMITED EDITION, TO COMMEMORATE THE MOTOAMERICA CHAMPIONSHIP WIN: 1500 UNITS WITH A UNIQUE TRIM AND EXCLUSIVE “STARS AND STRIPES” GRAPHICS

RS 125 NOW AS A NEW GP REPLICA VERSION, COMPLETE WITH MOTOGP LIVERY, AND NEW COLOUR SCHEMES FOR THE MOTARD SX AND ENDURO RX 

Noale, 3rd March 2022 – The new Aprilia products for 2022 have landed at retailers, with new colour schemes for the dynamic 125 models, new graphics for the unbeatable V4 Factory bikes, and two new versions of the highly sought after 660. Aprilia once again proves to be one of the most active motorcycle brands on the market.

The Aprilia 125cc range is the widest on the market and comprises four different  options. Updated with a complete restyling that has made them more powerful, safer, more attractive and better equipped, they now feature all-new colour schemes.

Aprilia RS 125, with its Aprilia Black and Sintesi Blue graphics, is joined by RS 125 GP Replica, the brand's tribute to the MotoGP RS-GP. Its graphics recall those of the 2021 Aprilia MotoGP bike, while its standard equipment is more comprehensive, comprising the electronic quick shift gearbox and passenger seat cover. The latest technical features are all here too, from the new 11 kW single-cylinder, four-stroke, four-valve engine, to double channel ABS, a larger 140 mm rear tyre, and an aesthetic restyling that showcases the LED lighting set and full digital instrumentation.

Aprilia SX 125 and RX 125 also boast brand-new graphics. SX 125 is available with a Red Flash livery in which bright red dominates, while RX 125 is available with either Red Flash or Silver Alien graphics. Both adopt the recently introduced 11 kW engine and single channel ABS that gives the rider greater freedom to have fun both on track and off-road. Sister to the RS 125, the Tuono 125 with its high handlebars remains unchanged, available again in 2022 with Aprilia Black, Lightning White and Arrow Grey graphics.

As for the mid-size class, Aprilia launched at the end of 2021 the highly-anticipated Tuareg 660, however joining this family is the Tuono 660 Factory, the sportiest and most complete model in the Tuono 660 range and a direct descendant of Tuono V4 Factory. With a kerb weight of 181 kg and 100 HP, Tuono 660 Factory boasts an extraordinary weight/power ratio for the utmost in sports riding fun and efficiency. With respect to Tuono 660, the Factory version adopts  more sophisticated and fully adjustable suspension, a very lightweight lithium battery, lighter new foot pegs derived from those of the RS 660 and an engine that delivers 100 HP in its full power configuration, a real injection of energy that is further amplified by the shortened final drive.

The electronics equipment mirrors that of a real superbike and includes the Ride-by-Wire electronic accelerator and six-axis inertial platform, as well as the APRC package complete with traction control, anti wheelie, engine brake adjustment and different engine mappings, all adjustable. Also as standard are the passenger seat cover, electronic quick shift gearbox for ultra-fast shifting, and multimap cornering ABS for maximum safety when braking in any conditions. The dedicated Factory Dark graphics are also all new.

Another new addition for 2022 is Aprilia RS 660 Limited Edition, a special version that celebrates the début win of RS 660 in the prestigious MotoAmerica, the most important motorcycle championship in the States, in which the Noale twin literally dominated, winning ten of the thirteen races. The limited, numbered series of just 1500 units flaunts racing equipment as standard, incorporating the single seat cover, larger top fairing, and quick shift with reverse gearing. Aesthetically, the bike stands out for its stunning stars and stripes livery inspired by the US flag. 

The two Aprilia V4 Factory models also benefit from new graphics. Both “her majesty” RSV4 Factory, the greatest ever superbike and one that tops its category in terms of performance thanks to the 217 HP delivered by the Noale V4 and a chassis that sets the benchmark in terms of feeling and efficiency on track, and Tuono V4 Factory, considered to be the pinnacle of motorcycle development and offering unbeatable fun and efficiency on road and track, embrace the beautiful and high-impact Ultra Dark total black graphics, enhanced with matte gold logos.

Tuono 660

As powerful as thunder, as light as a cloud

Two universes collide… The legendary Tuono V4 1100 meets the advanced technology of the RS 660 to create the TUONO 660,
a motorbike destined to shake up the way you look at the world.

Introducing the Tuono 660, the new generation of a versatile naked sportbike. Fun, easy and a heartbreaker on the aesthetics front, its potent combination of power and extraordinary lightness delivers a truly breathtaking and unique riding experience.

                                      

It's what you take away that adds up

Like the RS 660, the Aprilia Tuono 660 boasts an incredible weight to power ratio. Its wet weight of just 183 kg for 95 HP is a record-breaker in its category and makes for an accessible naked sport bike suitable for any rider both on the road and track.

                                  

Shaped by the wind

When it comes to style, the Tuono 660 bears all the hallmarks you would expect of an Aprilia sport bike, with sleek, compact dimensions that highlight its dynamic nature. It has also unashamedly borrowed the RS 660’s innovative double fairing for enhanced aerodynamics, the result of rigorous wind tunnel testing.

                                    

It all starts with the frame

The Tuono 660’s diecast aluminium frame and swingarm make for a truly glorious structure. If that weren’t enough, then there is the Kayaba adjustable suspension with dedicated set up, to say nothing of chassis dimensions designed to improve response and handling through a reworked geometry of the steering column.

                                     

Master of all roads

With five riding modes, of which three provide road options and two are designated for the track, there's plenty of choice for all riding styles and levels of rider, made even more enjoyable by the customisable and easy-to-use electronic instrument panel.

Inimitable style

Choose from Concept Black, Iridium Grey and the rather special Acid Gold, until now only available on the RS 660, but already setting new standards of style and aesthetics in the motorycling world.


Tuono V4 1100 Factory voted Best Super Naked in 2019 MCN Awards

Tuono V4 1100 Factory recognised as class-leader in annual Motorcycle News Awards

 

Aprilia is proud to announce that the Tuono V4 1100 Factory has won the award for Best Super Naked in the 2019 MCN Awards.

The Tuono V4 1100 Factory beat competition from rival manufacturers including BMW, KTM and Yamaha to take the prize for Best Super Naked in the 2019 MCN Awards, the results of which were announced today.

For 2019 the top-spec Factory model benefits from the addition of Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension and steering damper. After riding the bike at its launch in Italy Michael Neeves, MCN’s Chief Road Tester said, “Aprilia have somehow managed to improve the unimprovable.” Read his full review here and watch the review here.

Simon Greenacre, Marketing Communications Coordinator at Aprilia/Piaggio Group in the UK said, “The Tuono V4 1100 Factory is a sensational package. It’s all there on paper – an astounding V4 engine complimented by a suite of cutting-edge electronics and high-spec parts from the likes of Brembo and Öhlins, all built around the frame from the RSV4 superbike. The result when riding is a perfect blend of power, poise, precision and pleasure. The Tuono V4 1100 Factory is often hailed as the perfect sports road bike and Aprilia is delighted that MCN has recognised its excellence with this accolade.”

Representing state-of-the-art in technology, the Tuono V4 1100 Factory is equipped with sophisticated electronic management that includes an advanced dynamic controls package with APRC, cornering ABS, quick shift active even in downshifting, pit limiter and cruise control. The unique 175 hp 65° V4 engine and racing frame provide unparalleled performance. Simply unrivalled, the Aprilia Tuono V4 has consistently been voted as one of the most exciting and exquisite motorcycles ever built.

The award for Best Super Naked from MCN is the second to be bestowed on the Tuono V4 1100 Factory in 2019, with the first coming from Auto Trader, which decreed the top-of-the-range Tuono to be its Best Naked in its 2019 Best Bike Awards.

Find out more about the Tuono V4 1100 Factory here.

APRILIA TUONO 660 FACTORY

23 November 2021, Milan, Italy – Descending directly from the Tuono V4 Factory, and inheriting its key values, the new Tuono 660 Factory boasts considerable equipment and performance. At 181kg and 100 HP, the Tuono 660 Factory is lighter, more powerful and sophisticated, and flaunts first-rate equipment.

 

The Factory versions of Aprilia sports bikes have always been flagship products, dedicated to the most demanding and skilled riders, who can appreciate the quality of the most sophisticated outfitting. Now, the Factory trim is also available for the Tuono 660, which makes for a Tuono with unparalleled dynamic qualities, the most efficient and fun to use on the road and a true generator of emotions, accessible to everyone. All this, while respecting the Aprilia 660 project that promises bikes with a sensational weight/power ratio that are lightweight, high-performance, and built around the brand-new latest generation Aprilia parallel twin.

 

With respect to Tuono 660, already widely recognised and appreciated by the public and critics for its outstanding chassis qualities, Tuono 660 Factory boasts a more sophisticated suspension, better suited to sports riding. The Kayaba fork with 41 mm stanchions is fully adjustable in its compression and rebound damping and spring pre-load, while the Sachs shock with a separate reservoir is also adjustable in its compression and rebound damping and spring pre-load.

There is an even better weight/power ratio, one of the main goals for all new Aprilia 660 models and already outstanding on the Tuono 660, thanks to the adoption of a light lithium battery that contributes to reducing the overall weight by roughly 2 kg (the kerb weight is now 181 kg) and also better engine performance.

A compact and lightweight latest-generation engine, the 660 cc forward-facing twin with DOHC timing and four valves per cylinder is the result of experience gained with the very powerful engine that equips RSV4, from which the construction philosophy and basic concepts derive. The engine has a load-bearing function and houses the aluminium swingarm in its rear section. Combustion is asymmetric and offset by 270° to obtain irregular combustion which translates into performance and sound similar to that of a V-twin. The maximum power is upped from 95 HP with the Tuono 660 to 100 HP with the Tuono 660 Factory. The engine boasts even more drive in acceleration, thanks to the use of a shorter final drive, with a 16-tooth pinion gear, one less than Tuono 660. The maximum torque remains unchanged, with 67 Nm at 8500 rpm, 80% of which is available from 4000 rpm, or 90% on reaching 6250 rpm.

 

Tuono 660 Factory offers a full suite of APRC electronic controls with a Ride-by-Wire electronic accelerator and six-axis inertial platform as standard. The latter, thanks to the accelerometers and gyroscopes it contains, is able to recognise the bike's condition with respect to the road, recording and processing the inputs that result from riding and sending the data to a control unit that intervenes to optimise the control parameters. The Tuono 660 Factory APRC includes ATC (Aprilia Traction Control), adjustable traction control characterised by high-performance intervention strategies; AWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control), the adjustable wheelie control system; ACC (Aprilia Cruise Control) to maintain a steady speed without using the throttle; AQS (Aprilia Quick Shift), the electronic gearbox that allows for very rapid shifting without closing the throttle or using the clutch. It is also equipped with the downshift function, to allow for clutchless downshifting; AEB (Aprilia Engine Brake), the adjustable system to control engine braking when closing the throttle; AEM (Aprilia Engine Map), with different mappings via which to alter the engine's character and delivery.

 

Tuono 660 Factory also benefits from multi-map Cornering ABS. With its extremely contained weight and dimensions, the system is able to optimise braking and ABS intervention through the corners, thanks to a specific algorithm that constantly monitors various parameters such as lateral acceleration, the pressure applied to the front brake lever, and the lean, pitch and yaw angle, modulating the braking action in order to optimise the ratio between deceleration and stability.

As with the Tuono 660, there are five customisable Riding Modes (three for road use and two for track use) to simplify life on-board. The rider needs only to choose the Riding Mode that best interprets his or her riding needs in order to automatically obtain the best settings in terms of traction control, wheelie control, engine brake, ABS and the other managed parameters. Adoption of the inertial platform has also allowed for activation of the “bending lights” function, incorporated into the front LED light cluster complete with perimeter DRL (this pair of additional lights illuminate the entire corner, increasing visibility when leaning).

 

With its reduced surfaces effectively highlighting a dynamic, sports character, the bike's design stands out for the innovative double fairing that serves as an aerodynamic appendage. The pressure of the air channelled between the two walls contributes to optimising stability at high speeds and, at the same time, increases rider comfort by protecting against direct air flow, also deflecting the hot air extracted from the engine. The Tuono 660 Factory version is further enhanced with the aggressive and sporty Factory Dark graphics and the presence of the single-seat tail fairing , painted in black and red and supplied as standard together with the passenger seat and footpegs. These pegs, like those of the rider, are the same as those of the Aprilia RS 660 but lighter.

Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory – Technical Data

Engine type

Aprilia forward-facing parallel twin-cylinder, four stroke, liquid-cooled with radiator and water-oil heat exchanger, DOHC with silent chain on the right side, four valves per cylinder.

 

Bore and stroke

 

81 x 63.93 mm

 

Engine capacity

 

659 cc

 

Compression ratio

 

13.5:1

 

Maximum power at crankshaft

 

100 HP (73.5 kW) at 10,500 rpm

 

Maximum torque at crankshaft

 

67 Nm (6.83 kgm) at 8500 rpm

 

Fuel system

 

Airbox with front air vent. Two Ø48 mm throttle bodies, Ride-by-wire management

 

Ignition

 

Electrical

 

Lubrication

 

Wet sump

 

Transmission

 

Six gears with Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) up and down system

 

Clutch

 

Multiplate wet clutch with slipper system

 

Secondary drive

 

Chain, drive ratio 16/43

 

Electronic management

 

6-axis IMU, APRC suite that includes ATC (traction control), AWC (wheelie control), AEB (engine brake) AEM (engine mapping), ACC (cruise control)

5 riding modes (Road and Track, 3 pre-set and 2 customisable)

 

Chassis

 

 

Aluminium dual beam chassis with removable seat-supporting subframe

Front suspension

 

 

KayabaØ 41 mm upside down fork with top out spring, aluminium pins to fasten radial callipers. Both stanchions allow for rebound, compression and spring pre-load adjustment. Wheel travel: 110 mm

Rear suspension

 

 

Asymmetric aluminium swingarm. Single shock with top out spring and separate reservoir, adjustable in rebound, compression and spring pre-load. Wheel travel: 130 mm

Front brake

 

 

 

Rear brake

 

 

ABS

320 mm double disc

Brembo radial callipers with fourØ horizontally opposed 32 mm pistons. Radial pump and metal braided brake hose

220 mm diameter disc; Brembo calliper with twoØ 34 mm separate pistons. Master cylinder with separate reservoir and metal braided hose

 

 

Multi-map Cornering ABS

 

 

Wheels

 

 

Aluminium alloy, front: 3.5” x 17” rear: 5.5” x 17”

Tyres

Radial tubeless, front: 120/70 ZR 17 rear: 180/55 ZR 17 (alternatively 180/60 ZR17)

 

Dimensions

 

 

Wheelbase: 1370 mm

Length: 1995 mm

Width: 805 mm

Saddle height: 820 mm

Headstock angle: 24.1°

Trail: 104.7 mm

 

Weight

181 kg kerb weight (169 kg dry weight)

Emissions compliance

 

Consumption

Euro 5

 

4.9 litres/100 km

 

CO2 emissions

 

116 g/km

 

Fuel tank capacity

 

Colour range

 

15 litres (including 4-litre reserve)

 

Factory Dark

 

Winter Care 

Ride through the winter with ease on your Aprilia bike!

Equip your bike with winter essentials and take advantage of an extra 20% off on us! Available on a range of official Aprilia spares from 11th December 2017 until 28th February 2018 through your official Aprilia retailers.

CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER WHICH PARTS ARE AVAILABLE WITH THIS ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT


Terms & Conditions
Available on the parts indicated in the attached PDF only.  Available through official Aprilia retailers in the UK and Northern Ireland.Offer is valid from 11th December 2017 until 28th February 2018 Prices quoted are including VAT and excluding labour.Labour charges do NOT qualify for the 20% discount.  Subject to availability.  Prices are subject to change.

APRILIA TUONO FACTORY 1100 AWARDS

Aprilia Tuono 1100 Factory is MCN Best Super Naked 2017 and Auto Traders Best Naked 2017 Winner!

If you haven't tried one, what are you waiting for?

APRILIA DORSODURO 900 REVIEWED | WHAT THE MEDIA SAYS

Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 Reviews

For 2017, we revised the Aprilia Shiver 900 and its brother, the Dorsoduro 900. Both bikes were unleashed to the press earlier this month in and around Ventura, Calif.

We already provided some review highlights in our “2017 Aprilia Shiver 900 Reviewed | What the Media Says,” but now it’s time for its supermoto counterpart, the Dorsoduro.

The Dorsoduro was launched in 2008 as a 750 model, but grows to 900cc for 2017. The 90-degree v-twin now produces 95 horsepower @ 8750 rpm, and 60 ft/lbs of torque @4 4500 rpm.

The new Dorsoduro arrives with three riding modes (Sport, Touring, Rain), traction control, ABS and a new color TFT digital gauge. The supermotard arrives with a 41mm Kayaba fork, three-spoke wheels and dual 320mm discs up front.

The styling speaks for itself, but how about the ride? Here’s what the world’s top journalist had to say about the 2017 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900.

Cycle World’s Sean MacDonald gets right to the versatility point of this Dorsoduro: “If you want something light and fun for around town, get the Husky. If you want something that you can take to a proper race track or tour with, get the Ducati. If you want a nice all-rounder, get the Yamaha. Or, if you have to have something Italian that does all three, get the Dorso.”

Ryan Adams of Motorcycle.com touches on styling “I have always appreciated the styling of these big supermoto-style bikes. The 2018 Dorsoduro, like the Shiver released concurrently, showcases great attention to detail which, in my opinion, elevates the appeal of the new 900s. The red valve cover, red trellis frame, wheel decals, loud graphics, and gold fork look fantastic and won’t allow you to mistake the bike for anything other than an Aprilia.”

Billy Bartels of Motorcycle Daily says “So despite the price premium over the Shiver, it turns out the Dorsoduro 900 is a fabulous deal … at least, when you consider the competing “supermoto” models. If you like the street-tracker style, you could possibly just get it for that and have a hell of a motorcycle. While I may sound damning with faint praise, make no mistake: If this is what you’re looking for, it’ll wow you with a sweet exhaust note, easy handling, fantastic braking, and gobs of torque.”

TJ Hinton of TopSpeed says: All in all, it’s a bike that was built using the best characteristics of two worlds with an emphasis on urban performance and agility, and really fairly versatile since it can be set up to race, tour, commute or do stunts.

Lance Oliver of Revzilla reports that “The added power and new features make the Dorsoduro a stronger competitor to the Hypermotard and a stylish alternative to a standard bike, for those who love the supermoto look. If that's you, then the Dorsoduro is definitely worth a look.”

Ultimate Motorcycling’s Nic de Sena wraps up the 2017 Aprilia Dorsoduro perfectly: “The bottom line is that the 2018 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 is an absolute blast. With a nice refresh to the platform, the Dorsoduro offers an aggressive yet light-hearted experience. This bike should be paired with friends and a good set of canyon roads or a track, but don’t let that stop you from getting the front-end light on the way to the office.”

Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally: What The Media Says

Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally

Aprilia rolled out the first Caponord in 2001, and we’ve improved the breed every year since. Today’s Caponord 1200 Rally has an unprecedented array of features for toughness, technology and versatility. This testament is shared by many moto journalists, as you’ll see in a bit.
 
But first let’s review just why our Caponord is an optimal machine for any type of riding. The 2017 Caponord 1200 Rally is specifically designed to bring the kind of power and comfort necessary for high-speed, long range touring in the Interstate, the easy handling and low-cost to operate for daily commuting and the brute strength and ruggedness for off-the-pavement adventure riding.
 
The heart of the Caponord 1200 Rally is Aprilia’s race-bred 90° four-stroke, double overhead cam 1196cc V-twin with four valves per cylinder. The engine delivers 125 hp @ 8,000 rpm and 84.8 ft/lbs of torque at 6,800 rpm at the crankshaft. All that power is brought under precise control with Aprilia’s ride-by-wire system with three engine maps. In addition, cruise control is included for those long, lonely stretches of stable-speed cruising.
 
Of course, all that punch needs to be matched up with a rigid chassis and terrain-eating suspension. In that, even the suspension and brakes are ultra-high tech. To do that, the Aprilia Dynamic Damping (ADD) suspension system was developed.
 
The ADD system optimizes control and comfort by measuring the energy transmitted from the road surface to the bike and adjusts the hydraulic fork calibration and shock absorber in real time to minimize acceleration force on the frame.
 
To achieve maximum performance at any fork and shock absorber operating frequency, ADD uses a patented “MIX comfort oriented” algorithm that combines the principles of the well-known skyhook and acceleration driven damping algorithms.
 
ADD utilizes an integral piggy-back shock absorber which provides electrically adjustable spring preload to four-predefined settings, indicated by specific icons on the digital instrument panel: rider only, rider with passenger, rider only with panniers and rider and passenger with panniers. 
 
This exclusive Aprilia system is patented as is the automatic preload control mode for the rear spring. Once this option has been selected, the system can detect the bike's load by itself (weight of fuel, rider, passenger, luggage, etc.) and automatically adjust preload to the optimum value to balance the bike properly. This frees the rider to focus on riding; the most vital safety feature of all. Aprilia is the first motorcycle manufacturer in the world to have introduced active suspension. 
 
The Caponord receives the most advanced electronic control and rider enhancement systems through the Aprilia Performance Ride Control System (APRC). The system includes Traction Control and ABS.
 
The Caponord’s astonishing power and handling must also be matched with powerful, predictable brakes. That stopping power is managed by a two-channel Continental Anti-lock brake system (ABS). Front braking is handled by double 320mm floating stainless steel discs with an aluminum carrier clamped by four piston radially mounted Brembo calipers with steel braided brake lines. Rear has a 240mm wavy stainless steel disc clamped by a single piston Brembo caliper with braided steel brake lines.
 
The chassis mates a steel tubing upper trellis connected to aluminum lateral plates forming an extremely rigid, lightweight frame that allows the use of the power of the engine to maximum advantage on pavement or trail. 
 
Rear suspension is a double-sided aluminum alloy swingarm with single lateral positioned Sachs shock absorber adjustable in hydraulic rebound damping and spring preload, with the ADD system. Rear wheel travel is 150 mm (5.9 in.). Front suspension is by a completely adjustable Sachs 43 mm inverted fork with hydraulic rebound and compression damping electronically controlled by the ADD system. Fork travel is up to 170mm (6.7 in.).
 
Striving for the versatility necessary to perform well in such diverse environments can lead to so many compromises that the old “jack of all trades, master of none” syndrome can set in. Does the Caponord 1200 Rally achieve the right balance? Here’s what some of the experts have said.
 
Allyn Hinton, writing for Top Speed Motorcycles said: “Aprilia serves as the large-displacement sportbike/race branch for Piaggio, and as such, put out a lot in the way of supermoto and stoplight-burner bikes. The subject for today is not one of those, but rather an on-/off-road bike that carries that unmistakable Italian style with a veritable alphabet soup of fancy electronic subsystems. Aptly named the Caponord 1200 Rally, this ride straddles the line between race-tastic ability and real-world practicality with an eye to long-distance comfort. A 1200 cc mill pushes the thing with ride-by-wire throttle control, variable rider modes and cruise control, plus dynamic suspension and traction control to boot. As one of the few non-crotchrocket bikes made by the company, the Rally stands out as something of an anomaly, but I see no sign that Aprilia is in over its head with this design.”
 
Jonathan Handler, writing for Ultimate Motorcycling said, “As an all-around bike I found the Capo to be friendly, capable and willing. Like a good dog, there was nothing the bike would not do for me. It was mild around town offering the ability to, almost, mindlessly go about my business. In the twisties it simply flung itself from corner to corner with precision control and no excuses.”

 

Jamie Robinson, in a video review for Moto Geo, said, “Overall, from the Caponord 1200 Rally you’ll get a bike that has bags of power, is agile, you can go on-road or off-road, you can definitely click by some miles and you’re going to really enjoy riding this bike.”