Italian v Japanese (Aprilia ETV 1000 CapoNord)

Member Name: infoman

Product:	Aprilia ETV 1000 CapoNord
Date:	20/10/02 (6292 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Looks, Equipment, Finish

Disadvantages: Seat Height, Front Suspension

Ok, this review is written after a test ride. Why was I test riding one? Well, in recent years I have owned a VF500, VFR400, Bandit1200, Triumph Daytona 955i, Bandit 1200SK1. The first Bandit was new, and subsequently dyno'd to 140bhp (26000 miles in 2 years), the Triumph was a lovely bike and faultless (12000 in 1 year), and more than match for Jap stuff especially on a 7 day rip across Spain and up the entire length of France), and the current Bandit is a stunning machine. Nothing like the original and an absolute bargain. It has been to Dream Machine for a Virgin paint scheme, polished wheels etc.

So why my interest in the CapoNord?

It looks great in my opinion, and the paint schemes are far better than anything on a Jap bike. It has a proven V-twin motor, a huge seat for trans-continental trips, and a nice fairing as well. What more could I want...and why didn't I buy one?

Lets start with the good bits. The bike is incredibly comfortable. That seat is like an armchair and I would be happy to spend several hours with my bum on it. The bars are at the right height and reach, and the fairing certainly does the job.

The seating position gives the rider a commanding view of the road, and the instruments are comprehensive. You have a vast array of information at your disposal, arguably too much. My only complaint is that the dials etc look colour faded in daylight, although the night time neon glow is reckoned to be quite unique.

All of the switchgear is to Japanese standards and looks the part.

The engine is excellent. You would never know that this is a V-twin, it spins up without any hesitation at all, and there are no vibes of any kind. If someone had told me it was an in line four I would have believed them. It pulls from zero revs and keeps pulling all the way to the red line, and the speed is very deceptive. The fairing keeps the wind off and a glance down at 90mph was a surprise as it felt like 60-7
0mph.

I could cruise at 100mph all day on this and get off feeling refreshed!

The gearbox was faultless, and ever gave a hint of anything that I could criticise, likewise the clutch, which was smooth and progressive.

Going around the bike, we have a huge motorcycle, with a angular bodywork that is both aesthetic and functional. Hats off to the Italians for having the flair to achieve this. That fat seat unit hides a boot that is truly cavernous. It is capable of swallowing the kind of gear that most people pile into a top box on day trips. This is a definite plus point.

The wheels are alloy rims and stainless spokes. The demo bike had 6000 miles on the clock and there wasn't a trace of corrosion on any part of the bike, so longevity looks good.

Ok, so that's the good news. The negative news is purely down to personal preference, and if I was a different person I would probably have handed over my hard earned cash. In fact I would love to own one but.....

The handling is strange. Not because the bike doesn't handle, it does, but in a totally different way to any of my previous bikes. I am used to trail bikes ( I used to go trail riding every Sunday, so well understand the differences). The most annoying feature was the front fork dive. Ok, so this is a trail bike and might be taken off road onto mountain trails in Spain or wherever, but this is Blighty and these bikes will stay on tarmac. One touch of that front brake lever and it was like being shoved off the side of the Post Office Tower! One could almost hear the klaxons and 'dive! dive! dive!'. Not only that but the rebound damping was almost non existent, so that as soon as the downward travel ceased the rebound started just as rapidly. This was so bad that I was feathering the front brake and using the rear as well when approaching junctions. If I didn't then my feet were in danger of being lifted clean off the floor!

This is
a very tall, and top heavy bike, so these kind of shenanigans would not be welcome in those life saving situations where instant machine control was paramount.

I am the first to admit that being 5'8" doesn't help at all. If the seat was an inch lower it might have been a totally different story, but as Aprilia haven't fitted an adjustable seat, and I can't grow longer legs, they have lost a sale? I find it uncanny that manufacturers can invest millions in building a machine that a vast proportion of the customer base would never buy even if they wanted to, but it's my money, and I am happy to keep it!! If they want me to part with it then they have to make me want to!

Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking this bike. If I thought that I could resolve the seat height and suspension problem then I would buy one. It's as simple as that. My advice is to take a test ride and experience a style of motorcycling that is a world apart from what you are used to. It would make a superb touring bike, and once an adjustment had been made to riding style it would keep up with anything!

Summary: