Aprilia has officially announced a new more Adventure Touring focused Caponord 1200 model for 2015. The standard Aprilia Caponord 1200 was built in the mold of a tall Sport Touring motorcycle, with Adventure Bike styling. With 17″ alloy rims front and rear and color matched luggage, the standard Caponord 1200 was clearly designed to spend most of its time on asphalt.

The new 2015 Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally receives several new features that will improve its off-road capabilities. The Rally version gets wire-spoked 19″ front and 17″ rear, making it better able to handle off-road terrain. No word yet from Aprilia on whether they will increase the suspension travel from 6.6″ front and 5.9″ rear, to bring it more into line with other off-road oriented Adventure Bike models in the liter class category.

Aprilia also improves off-road durability on the new Rally model, with a full wrap-around skid plate to protect the sump and oil-cooler. New crashbars help protect the plastic bodywork in a fall and Aluminum covered hard panniers should offer more durability than the standard Caponord’s plastic hard cases. Additional updates include LED auxiliary lights and a larger adjustable touring windscreen.

Rugged aluminum covered hard panniers come standard on the new Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally.

Standard on the Caponord 1200 Rally is a large 6.3 gallon tank and advanced electronics that include three Ride-by-Wire throttle modes, switchable ABS, traction control, cruise control, and the Aprilia Dynamic Damping (ADD) semi-active electronic suspension. With its powerful 125 horsepower V-Twin engine and new Adventure Touring features, the Caponord 1200 Rally will be a valid contender in the liter-class Adventure Bike category.

The new 2015 Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally will make its debut in Cologne, Germany next week at the INTERMOT show. The bike is expected to arrive at European dealers in January of 2015. Aprilia has not confirmed whether the new bike will be made available in the USA.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Mexico, North Africa, Europe, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.