Morning All,
Long time looker first time poster. First of all gotta say I'm really impressed with the knowledge and passion on this site - if everyone was into their bikes as much as you guys are then the world would be a better place!
I've recently arrived from Oz where I've been a long time Ductaophile - last was a 748SPS. Now I need to one bike to do it all - Europe, trackdays, tooling around - and for value can't really go past the Falco. It's Italian and it's a twin, and it's Italian and a twin!
Just hoping I could get some of your thoughts on this one on ebay. It's obviously got all the good bits on it but guess I'm a bit nervous with the amount of mods done on it how it will be reliability wise, etc. The guy reckons it's all been done properly and has never let him down, but I wouldn't be able to view it before buying due to the distance. Plus it doesn't seem to have had much interest in the few weeks its been up.
Any thoughts much appreciated and hope to join the club properly in the not too distant future.
Cheers.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aprilia-falco-ver ... 7C294%3A50
New poster advice B4 buy
Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators
G'day mate 
There's a few from down under with Falcos in the UK - so you'll fit in fine (guess that's true in any case).
OK, that Falco. I can't see anything obviously wrong with it and most of the mods are not unusual.
However that one's been on ebay quite a while and I'm not sure why it hasn't gone.
Mind you it's a 2001 bike, currently at £2500 and the reserve isn't met ... strikes me as pricey.
There are some question marks.
1) Why has it had the custom paint job? Has it been down the road?
2) Why was the engine changed? It also says the engine change was done at 35,000 miles but it also states the bike's mileage as 25,000 miles .... something's not right there. What year Mille was it from.
3) It has a 2005 RSV swinger. That is a conversion that works but is not as easy to do as the earlier Mille swinger. Two questions here:
a) How has he solved the clearance problem between the top of the swinger and the bottom of the battery box (often the battery box bottom is hacked off and the battery relocated)
b) A batch of 2005 RSV swingers (at least I think I remember it was 2005 ... but may have been 2004) suffered cracking problems and some of these appeared on the market after they were replaced. Hopefully this was not part of that batch.
4) Never heard of "Hagen spec forks" .... something to do with ice cream?
5) Renegade exhaust and air kit is nice (but loud)
6) Ohlins shock is good .... hopefully it's also the one from the same bike as the swinger along with the same linkages
7) No sidestand mod!
Although standard, this one might be worth looking at - much newer and you'll have the fun of modding it how you want.
(|BTW - I know nothing of this other than what's posted)
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=4875
There's a few from down under with Falcos in the UK - so you'll fit in fine (guess that's true in any case).
OK, that Falco. I can't see anything obviously wrong with it and most of the mods are not unusual.
However that one's been on ebay quite a while and I'm not sure why it hasn't gone.
Mind you it's a 2001 bike, currently at £2500 and the reserve isn't met ... strikes me as pricey.
There are some question marks.
1) Why has it had the custom paint job? Has it been down the road?
2) Why was the engine changed? It also says the engine change was done at 35,000 miles but it also states the bike's mileage as 25,000 miles .... something's not right there. What year Mille was it from.
3) It has a 2005 RSV swinger. That is a conversion that works but is not as easy to do as the earlier Mille swinger. Two questions here:
a) How has he solved the clearance problem between the top of the swinger and the bottom of the battery box (often the battery box bottom is hacked off and the battery relocated)
b) A batch of 2005 RSV swingers (at least I think I remember it was 2005 ... but may have been 2004) suffered cracking problems and some of these appeared on the market after they were replaced. Hopefully this was not part of that batch.
4) Never heard of "Hagen spec forks" .... something to do with ice cream?
5) Renegade exhaust and air kit is nice (but loud)
6) Ohlins shock is good .... hopefully it's also the one from the same bike as the swinger along with the same linkages
7) No sidestand mod!
Although standard, this one might be worth looking at - much newer and you'll have the fun of modding it how you want.
(|BTW - I know nothing of this other than what's posted)
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=4875
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
-
fastasfcuk
- SuperBike Racer
- Posts: 1424
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Thanks D-Rider, really appreciate the detailed response.
Yeah I had the same thoughts with the paint, although if it was a proper project then that could explain it - maybe. He's saying that the engine change was done at 35k and a RSV engine with 25k on it went in. I thought the Mille/Falco engines were virtually identical apart from chip?
I'll ask him some info on the clearance question - should sort out whether he knows what he's on about or not! Would there by any easy way of knowing whether the right shock/linkages are fitted?
My 748 had the dreaded springloaded suicide stand so I could probably live with the standard one for a little while!
I think the thing that worries me most about this is the time it's been there without much interest. The guys feedback looks OK and he's done some other bike stuff so could be OK.........
Thanks for the link to the other bike. I know that's probably the better way to go - get good unmolested and go from there - but ideally I'd like one where most of the mods have been done (Ohlins/shock, exhuasts at least). I'm getting lazy in my old age, plus just want to get something I can ride/enjoy from day 1.
Yeah I had the same thoughts with the paint, although if it was a proper project then that could explain it - maybe. He's saying that the engine change was done at 35k and a RSV engine with 25k on it went in. I thought the Mille/Falco engines were virtually identical apart from chip?
I'll ask him some info on the clearance question - should sort out whether he knows what he's on about or not! Would there by any easy way of knowing whether the right shock/linkages are fitted?
My 748 had the dreaded springloaded suicide stand so I could probably live with the standard one for a little while!
I think the thing that worries me most about this is the time it's been there without much interest. The guys feedback looks OK and he's done some other bike stuff so could be OK.........
Thanks for the link to the other bike. I know that's probably the better way to go - get good unmolested and go from there - but ideally I'd like one where most of the mods have been done (Ohlins/shock, exhuasts at least). I'm getting lazy in my old age, plus just want to get something I can ride/enjoy from day 1.
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HowardQ
- World Champion
- Posts: 3921
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:20 pm
- Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Welcome to the site mate!
Hope you find a bike that suits you.
Everything has been well covered by DR, so won'y comment further on that.
The early Mille engines and the Falco are pretty similar, later ones have more differences.
Yes the Falco and Mille have different ECU chips, but the Falco also has some other minor differences like a lower compression ratio of 10.5 to one, the Mille is higher (11.3 or so to 1).
Officially the early Mille has a little bit more at the top end the Falco power comes in a little bit lower. I have only ridden a Mille fairly briefly but I could not really tell the difference, and my local dealer reckoned he could not tell either. Some bike magazines have stated that they like the slightly broader spread on the Falco a bit more. What I can tell you is that it is a bloody great motor, with loads of shunt any time you want it.
If you buy one, I think you will really love it. I have had mine for nearly 5 years and it's by far the best bike I have ever owned, (had dozens), and what makes it even better it has also been the most reliable by some margin, and most of my other recent bikes have been Hondas.
Hope you find a bike that suits you.
Everything has been well covered by DR, so won'y comment further on that.
The early Mille engines and the Falco are pretty similar, later ones have more differences.
Yes the Falco and Mille have different ECU chips, but the Falco also has some other minor differences like a lower compression ratio of 10.5 to one, the Mille is higher (11.3 or so to 1).
Officially the early Mille has a little bit more at the top end the Falco power comes in a little bit lower. I have only ridden a Mille fairly briefly but I could not really tell the difference, and my local dealer reckoned he could not tell either. Some bike magazines have stated that they like the slightly broader spread on the Falco a bit more. What I can tell you is that it is a bloody great motor, with loads of shunt any time you want it.
If you buy one, I think you will really love it. I have had mine for nearly 5 years and it's by far the best bike I have ever owned, (had dozens), and what makes it even better it has also been the most reliable by some margin, and most of my other recent bikes have been Hondas.
HowardQ
Take a ride on the Dark Side
2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
Take a ride on the Dark Side
2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
Yep, Early motors are the same. In 2001 the Mille got revised cams and bigger valves (but, strangely they didn't quote different power figures)
In 2004 there was a bigger rework and different (CAN-based) EMS.
TBH many would say that the Falco engine is better for the road with stronger mid-range.
Actually the Engine Workshop manual quotes the same compression for the Mille and Falco (11.4:1), The Futura is quoted at 11.8:1 and the Caponord at 10.4:1
Oh yes. the other thing about a mille motor is the gearbox works back to front.
If the bike has a Falco gearchange lever and linkage, you will end up with a racing shift pattern. If you want a road shift, use a mille gear lever.
In 2004 there was a bigger rework and different (CAN-based) EMS.
TBH many would say that the Falco engine is better for the road with stronger mid-range.
Actually the Engine Workshop manual quotes the same compression for the Mille and Falco (11.4:1), The Futura is quoted at 11.8:1 and the Caponord at 10.4:1
Oh yes. the other thing about a mille motor is the gearbox works back to front.
If the bike has a Falco gearchange lever and linkage, you will end up with a racing shift pattern. If you want a road shift, use a mille gear lever.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
Hey guys,
Many thanks for all ur input. You've talked me out of the tricked up one - just too many question marks I think.
I'll try and bide my time for the right one, but it's bloody hard when the coin's burning a hole in ur pocket and the sun is shining......well in between the showers anyway.
Stylitz I'm in W1. Will drop u a line when I get a bike and maybe you can show me some good roads at the bottom end of the country. Or failing that the quickest way to get the ferk out of London
Many thanks for all ur input. You've talked me out of the tricked up one - just too many question marks I think.
I'll try and bide my time for the right one, but it's bloody hard when the coin's burning a hole in ur pocket and the sun is shining......well in between the showers anyway.
Stylitz I'm in W1. Will drop u a line when I get a bike and maybe you can show me some good roads at the bottom end of the country. Or failing that the quickest way to get the ferk out of London
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FlyingKiwi
- SuperSport Racer
- Posts: 766
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 6:14 pm
- Location: Gogledd Cymru
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HowardQ
- World Champion
- Posts: 3921
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:20 pm
- Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Have you two met ??Ozboy wrote:Hey guys,
Many thanks for all ur input. You've talked me out of the tricked up one - just too many question marks I think.
I'll try and bide my time for the right one, but it's bloody hard when the coin's burning a hole in ur pocket and the sun is shining......well in between the showers anyway.
Stylitz I'm in W1. Will drop u a line when I get a bike and maybe you can show me some good roads at the bottom end of the country. Or failing that the quickest way to get the ferk out of London
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=4875
HowardQ
Take a ride on the Dark Side
2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
Take a ride on the Dark Side
2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
Thanks guys.
Yeah I've spoken to him and was going to go over tonite to have a look but the tube strike has buggered me - will have to wait till next week. Sounds good, should be pretty close to as new condition. Probably only concern is that is has only done 70 miles in the last year!! Shouldn't be a big drama, but I know from experience that the Dukes like to used not sitting under a cover.
That 'tricked up' one on Evilbay is still there!! Auction ended last nite and obviously still no bites. I'd emailed him a couple of times asked questions about the battery box, shock, etc - all sounded Ok. Reckoned there had been no damage, just repainted from personal preference. He's put a phone number up so I think I might give me a ring next week and see what he sounds like.
It's got all the bits though that I would be looking to do - cans, chip, shock, bars - so even if it's a bit exe for the year/model if it was all done properly could be ok, but...................there must be SOMETHING wrong with it if it's been sitting there for 3-4 weeks??
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aprilia-falco-ver ... 7C294%3A50
Yeah I've spoken to him and was going to go over tonite to have a look but the tube strike has buggered me - will have to wait till next week. Sounds good, should be pretty close to as new condition. Probably only concern is that is has only done 70 miles in the last year!! Shouldn't be a big drama, but I know from experience that the Dukes like to used not sitting under a cover.
That 'tricked up' one on Evilbay is still there!! Auction ended last nite and obviously still no bites. I'd emailed him a couple of times asked questions about the battery box, shock, etc - all sounded Ok. Reckoned there had been no damage, just repainted from personal preference. He's put a phone number up so I think I might give me a ring next week and see what he sounds like.
It's got all the bits though that I would be looking to do - cans, chip, shock, bars - so even if it's a bit exe for the year/model if it was all done properly could be ok, but...................there must be SOMETHING wrong with it if it's been sitting there for 3-4 weeks??
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aprilia-falco-ver ... 7C294%3A50
I would go for the one advertised on this site... it looks mint and its a good price. It's not too serious if its been sitting, maybe the pads and discs will have issues and perhaps the fork seals but other than that, these motors are bomb-proof. Ok the battery will be knackered and if he has been trying to start the bike on that battery there might be sprag clutch issues - but you can listen out for this.
The ebay one just screams 'dodgy' to me, just my opinion.
The ebay one just screams 'dodgy' to me, just my opinion.