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The Aprilia ETV 1000 is a [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Aprilia]] from 2002 to 2007. | The Aprilia ETV 1000 is a [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Aprilia]] from 2002 to 2007. | ||
[[File:Aprilia ETV1000-1.jpg|thumb|Aprilia ETV1000-1]] | |||
The large-capacity trail-styled bike market is a lucrative one in Europe, and Aprilia's entry is certainly distinctive. The large twin-headlamp fairing follows the quirky design brief of the rest of the firm's bikes, while providing good weather protection. The familiar RSV Mille-based engine has been re-tuned to produce 73kW (98bhp) rather then the 97kW (130bhp) of the donor bike, providing a flatter, less peaky power delivery, more suited to relaxing progress. The unusual 'Double Wave' frame is very stiff, and long-travel suspension soaks up the worst bumps. Like most big-bore trailbikes, the Caponord is mainly aimed at touring use, so it has a large 25-litre (5.5 gal) fuel tank, spacious pillion accommodation and a large, comfy dual seat. | The large-capacity trail-styled bike market is a lucrative one in Europe, and Aprilia's entry is certainly distinctive. The large twin-headlamp fairing follows the quirky design brief of the rest of the firm's bikes, while providing good weather protection. The familiar RSV Mille-based engine has been re-tuned to produce 73kW (98bhp) rather then the 97kW (130bhp) of the donor bike, providing a flatter, less peaky power delivery, more suited to relaxing progress. The unusual 'Double Wave' frame is very stiff, and long-travel suspension soaks up the worst bumps. Like most big-bore trailbikes, the Caponord is mainly aimed at touring use, so it has a large 25-litre (5.5 gal) fuel tank, spacious pillion accommodation and a large, comfy dual seat. | ||
Caped crusader | ==Caped crusader== | ||
Aprilia's big-bore dual-sport contender, the Caponord, is yet another brilliant take on the genre - you'll go places you normally wouldn't dream of. AMT's Mark Fattore investigates. | Aprilia's big-bore dual-sport contender, the Caponord, is yet another brilliant take on the genre - you'll go places you normally wouldn't dream of. AMT's Mark Fattore investigates. | ||
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All in all, the Caponord is not going win a MotoGP or major desert race, but if you're after something in time of need, you can't go past it. Sure, it is a few dollars more than most of its dual-sport contemporaries, but at $18,799 ($19,802 with panniers and tank bag) it still represents a lot of high-quality bike for the buck. | All in all, the Caponord is not going win a MotoGP or major desert race, but if you're after something in time of need, you can't go past it. Sure, it is a few dollars more than most of its dual-sport contemporaries, but at $18,799 ($19,802 with panniers and tank bag) it still represents a lot of high-quality bike for the buck. | ||
==Review== | |||
Review | |||
For a company who has managed a name for themselves by producing title-winning racing machines, the last thing anybody expected was a utilitarian sport-tourer. | For a company who has managed a name for themselves by producing title-winning racing machines, the last thing anybody expected was a utilitarian sport-tourer. | ||
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In the meantime, this market segment continues to grow, and the new CapoNord from Aprilia is a serious contender in it -- a strong effort in a do-it-all touring bike from a company that started out in racing but is ending up in our hearts. | In the meantime, this market segment continues to grow, and the new CapoNord from Aprilia is a serious contender in it -- a strong effort in a do-it-all touring bike from a company that started out in racing but is ending up in our hearts. | ||
==Specifications== | ==Specifications== | ||
{| {{table}} | {| {{table}} |
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