Falco Newbie...Thanks everyone

[HowardQ]

Hi Alan, and welcome. Being a total newbe to Falco's and biking....only passed my test in Dec, this site is a life blood of experiance and information THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO POSTS HERE YOU ARE LEGANDS. I lurked for all of 48hrs before investing in some italian hardware, the smile has not left my face and I'm 3 weeks and 400 miles in to ownership.

In terms of mods, just about anything you can think of has been discussed here, I'm up for a sidestand mod and new cans, Beowulfs are on the way as we spk and will be going on this wkend...I'll take some pics, has anyone else go down the Beowulf route?

Cheers and happy riding
Oli

I run Beowulf Gold Shade Titanium Ovals
Legal stamped but still very loud with the baffles left in. They told me they they would be OK on the standard chip if I left the baffles in, I did, they were fine. However I also fitted a K&N kit at the same time which I think helped balance up the free flowing exhaust with better induction flow.
Has worked fine with no 5k flatspot, no other problems and, I believe, a power increase from low down to top end, but never proved on a Dyno.
See the pictures in RiderSite Falcos in the Aprilia Gallery section, but this is mine -
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... F90002.jpg

[AlBeeFalco]

Thanks for your welcomes everyone, I feel relieved at not lurking any more!!

D-Rider....Haven't got round to visiting the Virtual Bar yet but on my way soon....

Falcomille ....Well guessed with the middle aged bit......not sure how you identified that from my first posting but you're right. Must be a Falco thing...If I told you my first road "bike" was an AP50 you'll be right in guessing that I'm the wrong side of mid 40's!! For anyone below 40s or for that matter 30s or 20s reading this...... do not be put off by the middle aged thing.... this is one awesome all rounder bike for all ages!!

Mangocrazy....Good to know that I'm not the only lurker!! I'd pretty well made up my mind months ago....just needed some re assurance, tips and advice on a bike that because it's not the latest YamaHonKawaSuzCati race replica gets very little mention in the motorcycle press. I've trawled thru' numerous UK, Aus, NZ and US motorcycle press articles trying to squeeze every piece of info possible......Yes I had it bad!!!! Found all I needed to know on this site.

HowardQ.....Thanks for the shock advice which has convinced me that I don't need to start looking for a Sachs (with only 5500 miles on it) replacement. have been taking your advice and just getting out and riding it during this decent weather spell and lots more !
Cheers also for hugger tip...It will be the only mod for a while.
You asked what bike I had before....Another Italian V twin. Owned a 1998 900SS (newer, some like, some hate shape) for 8 years.....I don't change bikes very often! Before that various Japs including GPZ 750, CB900 and wait for it....CX500 Plastic Maggot....I now realise that there has been a V Twin thing going on throughout my life!!! Toured down to the Algarve in early 80's on both the Maggot and CB900 (not at the same time!) Have also owned (worth talking about)..... BM K100RS when they first appeared in mid 80s (and when I had more disposable cash ...pre mortgage days!!) also had a Brit phase of original Triumph 750 Triple, a T150V.
As you see a selection of 90s, 80s and........yes 70s technology so the Falco to me is from a different planet!

All others ......Hope I haven't bored you with my mini biking history and Large Cheers for the welcome ......Credit card staying firmly in wallet apart from regular investments in BP, Shell products due to desire to keep riding!!!!!

All the Best to All, Alan

[Aladinsaneuk]

i do like a secure wallet - i view it as a personal challenge

i give it till the end of may :)

[HowardQ]

Be interested to hear how you think the Falco compares with the 900SS, (I was one that liked the new shaped late ones, especially with the full fairing). Got close to buying one before the Falco, but just too uncomfortable for an old fart like me, but I can ride the Falco for hours, no problem.
Talking about early bikes being a clue to age, my first bikes were -
Velocette 350, BSA 500, Velocette 500, Matchless 650, Norton 650.
Slight break then Triumph 650, Suzuki T350, Suzuki GT380, Kwack KH250, Kwack KH350, etc. zzzzzzzzzzzzz and then more recently a few Hondas - VFR750, CB Sevenfifty, CBR1000F (still have) then the Falco (here to stay).

[AlBeeFalco]

Good set of classic bikes there HowardQ.

900ss was a good bike which even with a "mere" 78bhp could be pushed along at a fair pace if kept between 3000 and 7000 rpm on good roads. Very firm ride made for a bit of bone shaking on anything less than A roads and the riding position very weight on wrists (much more so than Falco) until balanced by airflow at 60 plus mph. Hard work for long periods around town but then you don't own one for that type of riding.
For anyone used to refined Jap machines ....lots of new experiences!!!!.....with various mechanical noises from air cooled/dry clutch/desmo engine which can be concerning for anyone new to Ducs. It's all part of the character/experience!!!!so they say! Earplugs always made it better!!
Very simple to maintain....... I changed belts twice during my ownership and during 7000 miles with me it let me down once due to a defect which could not be pinned on the bike. Veto alarm fitted by supplying dealer decided to disable ignition which I only tracked down after changing start and ignition relays. Alarm removed .....totally reliable for remaining 5 years of ownership.
Disappointed with quality of some parts which certainly didn't like British winter roads but quality and reliability has moved on from the 70s Ducs as have the electrics.
A good and overlooked all rounder which is actually a better bike to live with in the real world than the Duc 4 valvers and much cheaper to buy, insure and run.

Compared to the Falco the 900ss is from a totally different generation but I would have liked to have kept it as a 2nd bike if garage space and finances allowed. On my last day with the 900ss I rode it 160 miles with one stop for fuel to part ex for the Falco. I arrived with aching neck, back, shoulders ad wrists......within one hour had done the deal with the Falco and rode that 160 miles back...with one fuel stop. Got off the Falco at home with not an ache!

Cheers, Alan

[Aladinsaneuk]

i loved my ducati 750 sport - BUT - if i had dropped it it would have been a write off - no spare panels!


and shite elcetrics...

and 16 inch wheels made tires hard to get hold of

having said that - i saw one for sale today and... I cannot justify a second bike LOL

[HowardQ]

Can't really understand why the Falco is as comfortable as it is, it's a longish stretch to the wide bars, the seat looks thin and uncomfortable, but it just seems to work, certainly does for me. Don't think I would have managed too well with a 900SS. I would have suffered too much with the riding position, could have lived with most of the noises but the clutch noise is always something that annoys me!
The Falco has been the most reliable bike I've ever had. I've had it 4 years and 8 months and done a fraction under 20k miles. During that time the only problems I've have had are -
Rear brakelight switch failed, hardly surprising as it is so low down and I ride all year round.
Failed side stand switch not long ago, but being a 2001 bike it was one of the early ones with the plastic pin, so did well to last as long as it did.
Oh and I did have one of the headlight bulbs go, but that was an uprated one that I had fitted. That's it!
There are a couple of brake calliper bolts that have rusted from the salt, and after nearly 26K miles it could really do with a new battery, but still fine if I use the battery conditioner.
Still on the original clutch, although started slipping badly at 10K on synthetic oil, (Putoline Syntec 4), change back to semi synth cured that.
Changed the Blue Spring shock at 18K miles and fitted an almost new White spring Mille shock, but old unit had no leaks or rust.
Oh and nearly forgot, swapped the stearing head bearings at 22k miles, but then again, I had a hand in "damaging" them as the Falco wheelies so easily!
None of the Hondas I have had were as reliable, although they were all pretty good, mostly the usual downpipes, collector boxes, rectifiers and hence cooked batteries!
As for the old classics, most of them were quite new when I had them!
The Matchless 650 CSR was probably my favourite.
The Norton was a Paul Dunstall 650SS, with all the goodies -
Chrome headlight, clip-ons down near the bottom, polished alloy racing tank and mudgards, racing seat, rearsets, swept back pipes and reverse cone "Maga" exhausts.
Looked pretty much like this one other than the tank -
http://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.u ... -650ss.JPG

I sold it as I "needed" a car ??