Aprilia’s total motorcycle, the Caponord has become even more unstoppable. The
Caponord is already a standard setter, but in the new Rally-Raid version it is
in a class of its own. The Rally-Raid combines in one machine the concepts of
tourer, enduro, extreme off-road and fashion leader. In the Rally-Raid,
technology has been pushed even further, with an aluminium-magnesium frame,
powerful 1000 cc V twin engine and much, much more.
The utmost in all-round touring versatility and ridability, this go-anywhere
bike rides with the ease of an enduro and delivers the performance and comfort
of a great sports tourer. And the frontiers are still falling. The Rally-Raid
version now incorporates even better styling, technology and performance. The
Caponord has just become more stylish and aggressive than ever.
Aprilia’s ETV 1000 Caponord Rally-Raid has perfected the total bike concept and
is the ideal machine for all roads and all uses. Town, touring, and off-road,
the Aprilia Caponord Rally-Raid rider knows no limits. The power unit of the new
Rally-Raid is the prestigious, high performance 1000 cc V twin already acclaimed
for its superiority in all Aprilia’s sport maxis. Add to this new brakes, new
sump and engine guards, new suspensions, a new riding position, and new touring
luggage. More than a new version, the Rally-Raid is a completely new motorcycle,
the perfection of an already perfect concept.
et, though the Rally-Raid is a true no-limits adventure machine, it is also
designed with the environment in mind. This new version of the Caponord features
an exhaust system with a three way catalyser and Lambda probe oxygen sensor to
dramatically reduce fume emissions. Naturally, the Caponord Rally-Raid complies
with Euro 2 standards.
The Caponord, the bike the world’s motorcycling press has pointed to as the best
of all touring maxi trail twins has now done even more to break through the
limits of motorcycle usability. Ride it in the city, in the desert, on country
tracks or on fast touring roads.
CONCEPT.
The intention behind the Caponord was to design a bike capable of guaranteeing
class-leading performance and power but with an impeccable chassis for
ridability, comfort and safety at all levels. The new Caponord Rally-Raid is the
perfect machine for the adventure-hungry traveller, the rider who knows no
limits and who has an unquenchable desire to clock up kilometre after kilometre
over all types of terrain.
The 60° V twin engine is one of the Caponord’s many strong points. This power
unit is derived directly from that of the RSV, but has been thoroughly modified
to make it perfect for touring.
From the word go, development aimed to achieve excellent ergonomics, rider and
passenger comfort, and total wind protection. The Caponord Rally-Raid can tackle
even the longest journeys without fatiguing its rider and passenger, and its
load-carrying capacity makes it as versatile as any motorcycle can possibly be.
The new sump guard, tubular steel body protectors and hand guards demonstrate
the bike’s eagerness for adventure.
The Caponord Rally-Raid features even better suspensions, for exceptional
stability and comfort under all riding conditions and for strength on gruelling
off-road sections.
The Marzocchi 50 mm fork has an increased wheel travel of 200 mm. The fork
internals are based on piston and cartridge hydraulics like those used in
competition motocross machines. Compression adjustment is provided on the RH
fork leg and rebound adjustment on the LH fork leg. The result is a hitherto
unachievable capacity to absorb even the hardest knocks combined with the sort
of handling never before experienced from a maxi enduro.
The chassis is completed by an aluminium alloy swing-arm with a new rising rate
linkage featuring APS (Aprilia Progressive System). The Sachs hydraulic
monoshock has a separate nitrogen reservoir for improved cooling under harsh
riding conditions, and provides adjustments for rebound and compression as well
as a practical hydraulic preload adjustment that can be operated without getting
off the bike. So the riding setup that many have defined as the standard-setter
for this class of motorcycle has just got even better! Rear wheel travel has
also increased to 200 mm.
Another area in which the Caponord Rally-Raid has been improved is the
transmission. The front sprocket has been reduced from 17 to 16 teeth to give a
lower final drive ratio and even better acceleration and pickup. First gear is
lower, making it more useful in difficult off-road conditions, but top speed has
actually increased a few km/h as the result of a higher maximum engine speed.
Riders who wish to keep their revs down on long motorway journeys can fit a 17
tooth sprocket instead of the standard 16 tooth one. All Caponord models are
homologated for use with both sprockets.
Another area in which the Caponord Rally-Raid has been improved is the
transmission. The front sprocket has been reduced from 17 to 16 teeth to give a
lower final drive ratio and even better acceleration and pickup. First gear is
lower, making it more useful in difficult off-road conditions, but top speed has
actually increased a few km/h as the result of a higher maximum engine speed.
Riders who wish to keep their revs down on long motorway journeys can fit a 17
tooth sprocket instead of the standard 16 tooth one. All Caponord models are
homologated for use with both sprockets
Il DESIGN.
The Rally-Raid is fitted with extra protection in the form of an aluminium sump
guard and carbon fibre engine guard on a new tubular steel frame. A protective
grille guards the oil cooler against accidental stone damage. The bodywork is
also protected by a high strength tubular steel frame, specially designed to
protect the bike against knocks and falls. All these parts combine maximum
strength and protection with minimum weight, and give the bike a decisive and
aggressive look.
The fairing has been completely redesigned to make the entire machine more
compact. The direction indicators are no longer incorporated, and the faired
hand guards have been replaced by traditional handlebar hand guards that provide
effective protection against the elements and prevent injury by trees and bushes
along narrow off-road tracks.
The silencers have undergone restyling too. The new units are fitted with
anodised aluminium shields that combine exclusive materials and finish with
Aprilia’s traditional skill in weight reduction.
Even the front mudguard has been redesigned to make it more effective off road.
Its special new design helps prevent mud sticking to it on challenging terrain..
The two 40 litre aluminium panniers are another Caponord Rally-Raid exclusive.
This practical, and robust luggage is easily detachable and lockable, and is
designed to withstand even extreme use. With the addition of the optional top
case, the Rally-Raid offers an impressive 110 Litres of luggage capacity. The
high strength tubular steel luggage mounting frame also affords effective
protection to the rear of the bike when the luggage is not carried.
ENGINE.
The ETV 1000 Caponord is equipped with Aprilia’s muscular 60° V twin, which
really demonstrates its incredible versatility in this bike. Powerful and
aggressive in the RSV, in the Caponord this engine is tuned for progressive
control, smooth power and an exceptionally flat torque curve. In short, the
perfect engine for relaxed long distance touring.
The Rally-Raid’s power unit maintains all the technical features that have made
Aprilia’s V990 such a success:
- Electronic fuel injection with 47 mm throttle bodies.
- CDI capacitor discharge ignition combined with two spark plugs per cylinder
- Dry sump lubrication.
- Mixed gear/chain valve timing drive.
- Euro 2 standard catalysed exhaust.
The Rally-Raid also incorporates the following exclusive Aprilia patents::
- AVDC (Anti Vibration Double Countershaft) system
- Hydraulic clutch assisted by the patented PPC (Pneumatic Power Clutch) system
to control rear wheel bounce.
- Differential injection mapping for both cylinders ensuring optimum fuel burn
in each. The introduction of the catalyser and Lambda oxygen sensor necessitated
different fuel injection mapping. This has been done in such a way that power
delivery at low revs has improved without penalising maximum power which remains
the same as in the previous model.
- Tuned intake and exhaust systems for the highest possible torque at low engine
speeds. Air intakes are 70 mm in diameter and exhaust pipes are accurately sized
to match.
- High power alternator, capable of providing plenty of electrical energy for
this true tourer, powering the high visibility front headlight cluster and
whatever accessories you care to plug in to the convenient 12 Volt accessory
socket.
The engine of the Aprilia ETV 1000 Caponord Rally-Raid delivers 98 HP (72 kW) at
the crank at 8,250 r.p.m. (ECE corrected) and a maximum torque of 9.68 kgm (95
Nm) at 6,250 r.p.m.
FRAME.
The Aprilia ETV 1000 Caponord features a variable geometry aluminium twin spar
frame in extruded and reinforced aluminium alloy welded on to
aluminium-magnesium alloy castings. This advanced frame gives the best torsional
rigidity of its class.
Great care has been taken with the frame design to keep weight as close as
possible to the bike’s centre of gravity. The special shape of the frame also
guarantees a comfortable riding position and eliminates the turbulence and drag
normally generated around the knees and legs.
The rear swing-arm, also in aluminium-magnesium alloy, has a chilled cast main
section, extruded members and forged ends for the best possible combination of
lightness and torsional rigidity. The unit's design also maximises its
weight/rigidity ratio.
To make parking easier despite the longer suspensions, the Caponord Rally-Raid
has a longer side stand with a larger footprint to stop it sinking into soft
ground. The Caponord Rally-Raid is also equipped with a higher centre stand for
practical parking during touring use.
EXHAUST.
The exhaust system features two three-way catalysers and a Lambda probe oxygen
sensor for perfect carburation control. The exhausts are made entirely from
stainless steel (for constant performance over a long working life) and ensure
that the Caponord Rally-Raid complies with the latest Euro 2 standards.
The positioning and size of the silencers was determined as the result of
extensive research into aerodynamics and ridability. The solution chosen ensures
significant technical and practical advantages, including:
- perfect balance;
- low noise;
- no irritating turbulence at high speeds;
- compact, narrow tail for quick and easy pannier mounting.
SUSPENSIONS.
The suspensions are heavy duty units derived from those of competition enduros,
but are calibrated for exceptional comfort under all riding conditions, on or
off the road.
50 mm Marzocchi long travel (200 mm) fork with separate hydraulic adjustments.
The Aprilia ETV 1000 Caponord Rally-Raid is the only twin cylinder trail bike
with a 50 mm fork fitted as standard. The fork is derived from competition
enduro forks for top level performance, strength and, above all else, flexural
rigidity. This is of tremendous importance to riding stability given the length
of fork travel.
Sachs rear monoshock with separate nitrogen reservoir, adjustable in rebound,
compression and preload, with APS (Aprilia Progressive System) linkage. A
practical, easily accessible knob is provided for quick and easy suspension
adjustment and to adapt action to all riding conditions from full load to
off-road sports. Wheel travel is 200 mm.
BRAKING SYSTEM.
The brakes on the Caponord Rally-Raid have been made even more powerful to cope
with the extreme riding conditions the bike is capable of. The front braking
system now features a floating stainless steel double disk unit, with floating
callipers and differential diameter twin pistons (32 and 30 mm). This system
ensures exceptional feel and instant stopping power, and absorbs all the flexing
that tough off-road conditions can cause.
The rear brake is a 272 mm stainless steel disk with 34 mm twin piston calliper.
RIDING POSITION.
Seat height has been raised to 860 mm, and the handlebars are also accordingly
higher to create a new riding position for perfect off-road control.
The raised saddle is shaped like a professional motocross or enduro saddle. The
result is a perfect view ahead, a position from which you can stand up on the
footrests in an instant, and a narrower profile for off-road manoeuvring. The
passenger seat joins the rider seat to provide ample support for rider movement
during off-road use.
The passenger seat can be removed if not used leaving a large load carrying
area. A special cover fitting enables the spacious under-seat storage
compartment to be locked even without the passenger seat in place.
The handlebars are new too, to optimise the changed riding position. They
feature the latest double taper design and are made from high flexural strength
anodised aluminium. The bars are held in higher single piece risers, with damped
mountings to eliminate engine vibrations. The single piece riser design also
gives a more rigid connection between the handlebars and the front wheel for
maximum steering effec.
The rubber footrest sleeves can be easily removed for better control off-road
when you wear motocross boots, yet another fine detail that boosts the
versatility of the Caponord Rally-Raid..
Per avere il massimo controllo nella guida off-road il rivestimento in gomma
delle pedane può essere rimosso facilmente per migliorare il grip quando si
utilizzano gli stivali da cross. Un altro elemento che aumenta la versatilità
della Caponord Rally-Raid.
WHEELS AND TYRES
The Aprilia ETV 1000 Caponord is equipped as standard with Aprilia’s exclusive
patented Tubeless Spokes Rim wheels for tubeless tyres and greatly improved
active safety.
The Rally-Raid comes fitted with road-going tyres, but to satisfy the taste for
adventure of likely customers, the sale price includes a second set of 110/80
front and 150/70 R 17 rear off-road all-round knobbly tyres homologated for a
maximum speed of 170 km/h..
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