Ultimate Adventure-Tourer?

Ultimate Adventure-Tourer?

Look out, GS Beemer fans, here comes the CapoNord

APRILIA IS branching out. Hot on the heels of its RSV Mule, SL 1000 Falco and recently released Futura sport-tourer, the Italian bike-maker is targeting the big-bore dual-purpose category, a segment dominated by BMW's R115OGS.

For use in the ETV 1000 CapoNord (the name means North Pole in Italian), the familiar, Rotax-built, 60-degree 1000cc V-Twin retains its basic architecture, 97.0 x 67.5mm bore and stroke, twin-plug cylinder head, dry-sump lubrication and vibration-quelling twin balance shafts. Beyond that, the engine was thoroughly revised for a new and very different mission.

To begin with, com pression is down to 10.4:1 and milder cams are fitted. Sagem fuelinjection replaces the Denso system that feeds the RSVs. Smaller throttle bodies and longer intake runners further help fatten the torque curve at low rpm. Ditto the massive 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust with its three-way cat-

alytic converter. Claimed output is 98 horsepower at 8250 rpm and 70 foot-pounds of torque at 6250 rpm. Using an innovative construction process developed by Alcoa, the twin-spar aluminum frame is unlike any thing in its class. The swingarm is also fabri cated from extrusions and castings, and is equally substantial.

As for the rest of the chassis, the Marzocchi fork has 50mm stan chions, nearly 7 inches of travel and is comple mented by a Sachs Böge shock. Radialshod 19/17-inch wire wheels feature BMW style lacing-no tubes needed. Brakes are Brembos, with four-pis ton calipers and 300mm rotors up front.

Geometry is conser vative, with a 27.9degree steering-head angle and 61 .4-inch

wheelbase. All that length makes for excellent stability, which is good because the engine will shoot you from parking-lot speeds tol25mphwith serious haste. Best keep an eye on the speedometer! Speaking of the speedo, the instrument cluster contains a pair of analog gauges, plus digital displays for air and coolant tempera ture, fuel level, next service mileage and any EFI hiccups.

The e;gine vibrates more than a 90-degree V-Twin with its perfect primary balance, but throttle response is absolutely linear-just twist the grip and go. The six-speed gearbox is also impressive, quick-shifting and pre cise. Only the clutch demands extra effort. Luckily. the engine is so strong that down shifts are optional.

With its upright rid ing position, protective fairing and low, passen ger-friendly seat, the claimed 474-pound ETV 1000 is Aprilia's first genuine GT bike. Looks like it has another winner on its hands.

Bruno de Prato