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Hi
Just thought I'd ask the learned gentlemen & ladies what they thought of this. Seems a good price, even though the mileage is high - or is it not???

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-APRILIA-FALC ... 286.c0.m14

Any educated opinions about what I should specifically look out for on a falco of this mileage would be welcome. I note too that he bought it recently for £1250 - now that was a bargain!!

Cheers

Rene

Looks good ... as far as I can see from the pics.

Falco specific (aftermarket) Ohlins shock is a good upgrade - though unlike the MilleR Ohlins, not ride height adjustable (if I remember rightly).

Front forks are Showa - but it says they have Ohlins springs (and Ohlins do do a spring kit for them - and I think they do a valve kit too BTW)

Front disks are not standard - that year had black carriers. Think they may be Mille disks - no biggie - after 38k miles they probably needed replacing.

Indicators are not standard - most would say that's a good thing cosmetically.

38K miles is more than most but we know a few that have done over 100,000 kilometers - the engines tend to keep going and if it's just because of a long commute then it's probably not a worry if it sounds good, runs well and isn't burning oil.

Hugger and crash bungs are good additions.

How on earth has he kept the calliper bolts in that good condition!

Is the left bar end scraped?

Don't worry about the clutch fluid having turned black - they all do that!

Think you'll only tell more by looking at it, listening to it and trying it.

and whats with the crash bung on the gear shift side , dosent look right to me

joecrx wrote:and whats with the crash bung on the gear shift side , dosent look right to me

I have seen them like that ... but I can't remember what make they are.

I would agree with everything D-Rider has already said, (that makes a refreshing change - only joking!)
Mine is a 2001, also in the best colour (Black), and is heading for 29k miles now, (6k when I got it over 5 years ago). It is still the most reliable bike I've ever had, (there have been more than 20 or so over many years!)
Other people on here have put miles on their Falcos with no problems and there seem to have been a few with similar miles to this one.
I think Falken's has done around 35k, (sorry if I got it wrong Ken) and his bike looks great and goes very well.
As DR says it looks good, but you will need to have a better look.
If it is as good as it looks and you give it a good check over, I would go for it at that price, (or a bit less if you can), as long as you are planning to do a reasonable mileage each year.
Look at all the normal things, head bearings, any blue smoke, or funny noises on start up, condition of disks and pads, although, as DR says, they look like Mille disks so have already been replaced. If you can get a ride, check the gearbox is OK, but not heard of any real probs in this area.
Can't recall what it said about servicing, but obviously the more history the better. Would be nice to know when the valve clearances were last checked, but I don't think anybody on here has ever need to have adjustments up to 30k or so.
The bikes have the odd minor weak design faults like the side stand, but I don't really think there have been any real issues. Certainly nothing like the regulator/rectifier and cam chain tensioner issues with the "reliable" Hondas I have owned/still own and there are no collector boxes or down pipes to rot, (all stainless).
You probably know all this already, so if it looks good on closer inspection, I'd go for it!
It's a hell of a bike for that money.

Thanks guys - great help there with pointers I wouldn't have picked up without your model knowledge. Good point re the discs as I know from experience with my VFR that they can be a pretty expensive replacement.
Must admt, crash bungs always make me nervous for some reason, and the plate behind the one one the gear shift side looks a bit ropey, but then presumably that's a quick fix and not hiding anything. I would oviously like a minter (wouldn't we all) but if I can get it for less than £1500 it looks like a bargain to me - besides, being a few months shy of 50 I'd probably seize up after a couple of months commuting on that & want to trade back to a nice soft VFR...........
Thanks all for your helpful input. Will probably think of summat else to ask in due course before i go have a look.

The riding position for commuting is better than a race rep, but not quite as good as a VFR. I've had a VFR 750 and still have a CBR thou. It does seem to suit some people more than others, some of our younger members fit higher bars to get comfortable, I started riding 45 years ago am 5'9" and the Falco is very comfortable for me for long runs or weekend blasts. I don't do a lot of commuting with it, but in town it can get a bit heavy on the wrists. The CBR1000 is better in this respect, but is a big heavy lump in traffic, where the Falco is lighter and easier to filter with. Can't say any more as I never bought the Falco to commute on and it is not something I plan to regularly do with it.
Then again, it is the best fun bike I've ever had and I still can't get enough of it.

HowardQ wrote: Can't recall what it said about servicing, but obviously the more history the better. Would be nice to know when the valve clearances were last checked, but I don't think anybody on here has ever need to have adjustments up to 30k or so.

Ah yes - thanks Howard that reminds me .... I noted that it said the last major service was done at 26,000 mls.
Major services are due every other service ie every 9375 mls (15,000 kms).
Ignoring that 26,000 mls is an odd mileage for it to be done at (I doubt that's an issue), then at the current mileage of 38,000 miles it is now almost 3,000 miles overdue a major service.

Worth checking when the last minor service was done too.



..... I knew there was something a little negative that i meant to add last time!

Anyway, certainly worth raising this with the seller.

My thoughts exactly, D-R.

I wouldn't worry about the crash bung plate unless it's hiding something underneath.

It enables the crash bung to be fitted in the best place to do most good in the event of a spill.

It looks substantial enough to save the cover.

I bet it cost a packet new.

No problems Howard, mine is going on for 37k now and still going strong.
The only problem i've had was with the dash, which would not set back to Mph, and this was replaced under warranty.
Seems a long time ago, this slight problem.
Hope it keeps going like it for another 81/2 years, if i'm not too old to get my leg over by then.

Just remembered, i've got a problrm at the moment.
The rubber mount at the bottom of the oil tank has broken, so i've cable tied it to secure it.
Had one on order from John Carr at Alfreton for over four weeks now, but it's still not shown.
Hope it turns up soon or i'll have to claim the interest on the £2.89p that i've paid in advance.

Back to the bike in the advert though, it looks OK and with the knowledge that we have on here I don't think it would be
a problem buying one with this milage.
But maybe for someone new to the Falco, it could put them off, hope not though.

I would buy it subject to inspection and usually checks make sure the starter and sprang has no noises.
Don't worry about this mileage it's just run in nicely if it's been serviced well

If it looks 'clean' on inspection and without nasty noises I'd think it a bargain for £1500. Just need to spend some extra on some lighter weight exhausts. There is a minter with exhausts, on e-bay with 4,500 miles for 2.5k.

My advice is to buy the best you can find but 35k is not a high milage for a bike nearly ten years old. Mine has 45k ish no problems except starter relay & speedo sensor and runs 'sweet' as can be ... not sure if 'sweet' is quite the right word for my 'snarling beasty' but hopefully you get the idea.