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I've been riding my Tiger 1050 as much as possible since i got it in September. It's a tall bike and I need to get used to it, especially with Jules climbing on and off, ready for the France trip in a couple of months. So I've done some mods, lower suspension linkages, tinkered with the preload and set the sag, raised the fork a little and it's feeling very good now. So I've mostly been riding the Tiger.

The point is I haven't ridden the Falco much at all, just cleaned her and talked to her in the garage through the winter, started her up most weekends. This week I've ridden her twice - done about 200 miles. What a bloody difference, She felt tiny, I mean tiny like a bloody tiny sports thing. Very tight and responsive. Amazing feel through the front suspension (standard Marzzochi) rear Ohlins working beautifully.... and what torque and acceleration, engine breaking and stopping power. It reminded me what a wonderful motorcycle it is.

That's it - I love my Falco

couldn't agree with you more, i recently bought my self a falco after ten years of having commuter bikes and couldn't believe how different the Falco is compared to the crap i have had in the last ten years the Falco reminded me just how much i love biking

Appreciate the Falco even more going back to the BMW's. Cornering on the Falco is just a matter of throw it about and ride to the grip available. The BMs get all sort of queasy at the thought of such antics.

Yes, know the feeling

I've been commuting on the Falco since they stopped gritting and with the 2 new tyres it feels pretty perfect. I'm really in tune with it right now

The Falc is the most exciting, interesting, impressive bike I have owned and find it difficult to think of anything that would be a suitable replacement.
I grew up with Brit bikes, worked my way through several japs, last one being CB 900 F, then a BMW R100RT, always wanted a Jota or a T160V.
Im a short arse so find the falc a good size, comfy to sit up at lower speeds, arse slides to back of seat at mph.
Just never ceases to thrill and folk always comment on What a beautiful bike !
When the electrics are behaving !

I'll never sell mine, it's a brilliant bike, such a pleasure to ride.

Same with me Dave, I got the Kwack as a second bike and use it most in the winter, even though it is newer, possibly tidier and on paper much faster, (150 bhp and 175 mph) and a lighter bike, it was the last model before the 10R and totally uprated.
Then I get back out on the Falco again as the weather gets better and it is love all over again, now in the ninth year, just the same.
It's the best bike I have ever had and still most reliable, although the 9R has been 100% for 3+ years.
Fun on the Kwack is well into 3 figures, with the Falco, it starts when you walk into the garage, and never stops.
I just think it is the delivery of the Falco, it is just perfect for our roads.
When the 9R starts heading towards 5 figures it is ballistic and you are thinking shit I'd better back off, rather than just enjoying the ride.
I can't imagine what a 1000RR would feel like, especially for an old git like me, (then again, I'd take one on test for a day).
As long as I still got to take the Falco home and saved £15 grand or so.

I must admit I didn't like riding the falco at first after riding inline 4's.
The delivery seemed a bit harsh and the engine braking seemed harsh also. "characteristics" of a V twin.
And i always seemed to have the engine in the wrong gear?
Once I got used to it and realised what the engine was about and rode it correctly I thought wow this bike is fantastic.
After riding my mates GSXR1000 I didn't get it, it was quick but it lacked something?
I think a 1000cc bike that is tuned for bottom end grunt like a Honda CBF would suit my riding better and would be nearer the falco.
I also rode his N REG fireblade. The riding position was nearer the falco and it rode "similar" and seemed to pull better from low down to the GSXR.


Back to the falco..... For me I think it has become an obsession.

Best all round bike I have ever had

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Best all round bike I have ever had

His social life has never been better - all those chaps he's met that turn up in their breakdown trucks .............

D-Rider wrote:

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Best all round bike I have ever had

His social life has never been better - all those chaps he's met that turn up in their breakdown trucks .............

Is it going yet?................................I'm starting to lose faith

It was looking decidedly Ducati-like last time i saw it.. electric cable and connectors allez uber the platz..

Saying that Pete used to have a Ducati so he should be amazing with electrics

Mine is a 52 plate silver one, just under35k on the clock, now sporting a red seat hump and a set of fuel exhausts courtesy of flatlander, and a very happy bunny i am indeed . after 30yrs and 11 bikes i fancied a v-twin, came down to vtr or falco and this bike has a way of getting under your skin like no other machine i've owned . yep, it's wound me up but thats all forgiven as soon as yer up an away again . It's the way it delivers it's power, it's the handling, how it sounds (especially now!), kick it when it goes wrong and you'll apologise to it . I'd always said i'd have another FJ1200, it's now the case that i'd have another Falco instead . Cannot understand why they ever stopped making them

danthewhippet wrote:Cannot understand why they ever stopped making them

Because few people "got" the concept and not many bought them ..... that's why some of us were able to buy them brand-spanking-new for less than £5k.
Brilliant bike they may be but if Aprilia can make money out of other bikes but not the Falco, then that's what they'll go and build.

Too many eyes turned to the more track-focussed Mille - aided and abetted by the bike press.

Oh, the other thing is their deal with Rotax to supply engines ended (after the end of production of thee Falco)

Think this leads to Falco is a modern classic !
In truth, only two things need to be replaced as a matter of course, sidestand and rear shock, the rest is fettling