Aprilia’s response to the surge in popularity of adventure bikes was the Caponord, also known as the ETV1000. Compared to the competition, it’s happiest on pavement but it won’t stop you from exploring fire roads that you may encounter along the way. This example is on offer for less than three grand, which is a cheap way of entering the world of Aprilia V-Twin delight.
Production of the Capo began in 2000 with a retuned version of the Rotax 1000cc V-Twin used in the RST Futura. The Aprilia Caponord is a rare sight on American roads, but its owners are very passionate about it and its capabilities. They’d suggest you think of it as a faster, prettier version of BMW’s GS series. Weighing over 520 pounds, this bike can be difficult to manipulate until you’re above parking lot speeds, and the engine is tuned to thrive above 3,000 rpm, so slow moving city traffic can be a pain. But don’t be turned off by my seemingly negative thoughts – this is truly a fun bike to ride, as long as you’re a fan of an upright seating position. Marzocchi front forks and a Sachs monoshock in the rear help make this bike incredibly composed in the corners. Simply put, this is a fast, comfortable sport touring bike that can also handle dirt and gravel. And as a bonus, the rarity of this bike has translated into lower resale values than you might expect. Some would think that the exclusivity would bring a premium, but instead it seems that this bike is usually cheaper than its more common competition!
This example is well equipped with a Sargent seat, resprung suspension for a heavier rider, heated grips, LED lights, MadStad windshield, crash protection, and Aprilia factory luggage – the side bags and tail bag (though the latter is missing some reflectors on the right side). It’s got 50,000 miles but these Rotax motors are well-known for longetivity. The seller does a little walkthrough of his bike here:
Find this Aprilia adventure bike for sale here on Aprilia Forum for $2,950 in Gainesville, Florida.