Caponord - how good is it then???

[RegH]

Decided to keep the XL650 for fun trips so now looking for a reasonably priced s/h bike which will be good for long trips and eat the motorway miles.

A Caponord turned up locally (low miles/reasonable price) and it looks stunning. Can it do the biz on long trips/all day in the saddle? Emphasis is on comfort, low buffeting/wind noise etc. This beast needs a service so I will have to wait for a test-ride.

The Vara' doesn't excite me and I had been looking at a GS - it will certainly do the job (and more) but I just feel there is too much technology in there especially the 1200. Good late 1150's seem to be getting harder to find (wonder why!!).

Any downsides to the Caponord? Servicing costs, spares, depreciation.

Cheers,

Reg

[j]

Pm lambsy He's a Welsh man who rode his every where all over Euorpe

[RobRus]

Pretty Damn Good to be Honest. Had mine, red 02 reg, for 1 year now and love it. Huge great thing but dead comfy and quick enough. Does get a fair bit of wind buffetting on the motorway but no more than the africa twin did.

Not had any experience of Aprillia main dealers so no comment there. Have heard that parts can be difficult to get but thats only hearsay.

Hope that helps

[RegH]

Cheers J, I will PM him.

Rob,
Thanks for that. Bike certainly looks the part and will doubtless do the motorway thing. I hate riding my TA at speed/distance because of the extreme helmet noise (always wear plugs) & buffeting. Only bike I have ridden so far which did not have this problem is the 1200GS (and it should be smoother with that great barn door of a screen).
Test ride soon will confirm.

Cheers Guys

reg

[Buggles]

Hi Reg,

You could also give Triumph's Tiger a shot. They're great for long distances, quite affordable and parts are cheap(ish).

A good 955i will go for around £4000 depending on age & mileage, and a lot of them come with heated grips and panniers...

Best,

JB

[RegH]

JB,
There is a Triumph dealer just up the road (where I was lusting after the Caponord) and I have had one of his s/h Tiger 955i out for a run. Agree completely, it is a great bike. Again, needs a bit of work on the screen to sort out the buffeting/noise though.
Reg.

[tendays]

or a vstrom.

[Buggles]

JB,
There is a Triumph dealer just up the road (where I was lusting after the Caponord) and I have had one of his s/h Tiger 955i out for a run. Agree completely, it is a great bike. Again, needs a bit of work on the screen to sort out the buffeting/noise though.
Reg.

MRA make a Vario screen for the Tiger that's taken care of the buffeting in my case (5'10), makes a huge difference!

JB

[RegH]

Hi td
Perhaps your tall screen will sort out the buffeting I get on the TA and I won't need to buy another bike .

Setting off for Morocco on the TA at the end of this month so should have a good idea what I need when I get back. I have had the TA offroad a bit so I expect it to be able to cope with the pistes there reasonably well. Going to steer well clear of the Motorways on the way down from Santander but no doubt it will be hard work!!! That is why I am looking at a big bike which will eat the miles in comfort (but can they do the rough stuff?).

That Caponord is real pretty though..............

Had a quick demo on a V-Strom too - another nice bike. I think you really need a weekend test ride to get the feel of a bike.

The Vario screen is well recommended for many bikes but success does seem dependent on rider height too - I am 5'9 short so firmly sitting in the dirty air. May try that depending on how I get on with the Honda tall screen.

Reg

[oldbanger]

Never owned one but have ridden 200 miles as a courtesy bike it was a fantastic ride but a big brute! It suited me very well and i considered buying one for touring but i owned a falco that toured fairly well maybe the Cap is a tad ugly but it's all a matter of taste very fast for a traily though it having a mille engine