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How come when the Falco gets good reports in the Ride survey, that it is not in the top 10 secondhand Aprilias?

We all know that it is the best from the Aprilia stable.
Just who takes part in these surveys?
It says that 12,000 readers voted.

Even the Caponord and the Shiver get in.
Is it that the Falco is too exclusive, and not many people know about it?

Maybe if we keep quiet, we can keep them to ourselves.

Sorry, should have said the survey is in the comic.

Tough one, really. I'm not really bothered about secondhand values as I can't imagine ever selling my Falco. It's a true keeper. But at the same time we all want to have our opinions and preferences validated.

Unfortunately it all comes down to the lowest common denominator thing. Do we want our bikes to be as popular as, say, a CBR600? I doubt it, and besides, it's never gonna happen in a thousand years.

So I suggest we have to resign ourselves to being on the fringes, but smugly aware that we have an absolute gem in our respective ownerships. We know we're right, basically and why do we need other people to confirm what we already know?

I think one reason we do so well in Rider Power is that every year we advertise it and encourage people to give their views .... and when they do, the bike speaks for itself.

These other ones, we never find out about so we don't get to vote.

second hand reviews etc.... most owners do not sell them easily

mine is also a keeper.....

I think you are mostly seeing this the wrong way.
The stuff in the MCN was based on what other bikers think, who have almost all never ridden a Falco. There are a lot more owners of CBR6s out there then Falcos, so they get more votes, it does mean't anything.
In the early days the sports bike mad bike Mags in this country couldn't work out what the Falco was, so never put it any any group tests. Not really a sports bike not really a sports tourer so what do you do a group test with??
Later in it's life, helped a lot by Ben Wilkins (BenWah on here who bought his Falco in 2000 and still has it), it started to get good reports, initially in Ride where he workled at the time. Then they all started to discover it.
The best one was probably the Mike Armitage test for Bike, who raved about it and decided it was probably the most underated bike of all time and an absolute bargain. Talked about what a joy it was to find an engine like this in a "sports tourer". I'll try and post it up on here when I can find it.
MCN themselves also discovered it and rated it highly, Andy and Falcoholic both got featured.
Every report recently has been good or better, with comments that we can all relate to.
Two Wheels tested it against the usual Firestorm and SV1000S, and decided "Motorcycling does not always make sense, the two jap bikes are the safe bets, but the Falco has a twinkle in its eye that simply make it irresistible, it's got personality in spades.....it's got sex appeal... frustrating in town but a whole lot of fun out of it. The japs may have jumped on the V Twin bandwagon, but with the Falco .. "you get a full bodied aspresso shot of the V Twin experience for Nescafe money".... If you want a plaything with plenty of character, that ... is an absolute joy to ride. It looks ridiculously good, sounds great and ..... the bargain that everybody missed out on the first time, Don't miss out again.
Can't argue with any of that!
Ride Mag-
"Better than the Mille on real roads".
"You'll grin and giggle like a village idiot"
"It's a proper wolf in sheeps clothing, will attract virtually no attention, but goes and handles like a superbike, lovely".
BIKE (John Westlake) -
"...the unloved Falco is a genuine bargain for those of us fed up with aching wrists, but not prepared to be left behind. It's a gentleman's sportsbike, a hardcore, sports tourer, a connoisseur's motorcycle, and if one was waiting for me behing the garage door, I'd be chuffed to bits!"

Think I can agree with all the above sentiments, but I am possibly biassed, I own one!
Also chuffed to bits that it is behind my garage door.

Well I've got RIDE mag to thank for discovering such a fantastic bike, they did an article on the falco last year and I was hooked, 12hrs later I had one on the drive! 12 months later and I'm a bit (a lot really) poorer but love it even more as I've made it my own with a few choice mods

Hopefully I'll never have to sell her, I'm sure I'll have other bikes but my special piece of italian exotica will never be far away.


Best kept biking secret, lets keep it that way

Olig7475 wrote:Well I've got RIDE..ERSITE to thank for discovering such a fantastic bike

I've yet to actually own mine, and ride it (roll on May!) so it will be interesting to see how I feel about it after lusting after one for so many years. I can see why most folk don't rate it, or even know about it, as it just doesn't feature so prominently in mags etc. I've no idea why I became fascinated by it, although it's probably summat to do with the Mille, as I was stunned by that when it first appeared. I guess after years of reading and re reading tests on the Mille I looked for a more 'friendly' version and hence stumbled across the Falco. And I owe a this very site a big THANK YOU for all the Falco knowledge (and eventually the bike I'm buying).
It's a funny thing, enjoying the exclusivity isn't it, but at the same time somewhat frustrating and annoying the amount of blank looks you get when you mention the word 'Falco' and the ensuing detailed explanation required of the marque. I'm sure this is the reason why the Falco doesn't feature so highly in any poll as were mostly a conservative lot. To me, the joy of this Falco thing is summed up in 2 very distinct reactions I've received, and that's even before I swing a leg over one.

1 - NEGATIVE:

I was talking to a manager at a big, and I mean big, dealership down South, where they sell the 4 jap marques. We were casually talking about the various merits of different bikes (he owns a ZZR1400) when I told him there's no way I could afford any of the bikes in is showroom, as nice as they are, and that I was thinking of getting a Falco. He sniffed and the conversation changed. Obviously not his thing, and not something he could relate to, but a little dismissive I thought or maybe he just realised there's no way he'd ever get a sale with an attitude like mine

2. - POSITIVE:

Having been advised by D-Rider to contact Griff the Aprilia man in Tamworth, for servicing and all things Aprilia, I did so. He couldn't have been more helpfull and enthusiastic about my forthcoming purchase, and was delighted to have been recommended, and full of praise for said MR D-Rider and all on this board. His first comment when I told him I was getting a Falco and wanted someone to service it for me, in my opinion sums up what I'm hoping will be he crux of the Falco ownership.......

........he said....................."oh, excellent, welcome to the dark side mate............."

If a bike has such a following, that before you even ride it, it puts a smile on your face and makes you feel good, then that is impossible to quantify in any poll. Pride of ownership?............I should co-co

reckon we need to get griff with us for an hour at the national club meet....


tequila slammers or do we get him royally fucked on TVR?
(Tequila, Vodka and Red Bull...)

Top bloke is Mr Griff, a few of us had a great day with him last year setting up our sussies. Mines going to him next month for a full service and to have my mille swinger fitted, he's also happy for you to stay and watch / learn if you want to....how many garages offer that level of service!

I'd never heard of the Falco.
I was in the market for something different from another IL4 and was considering a (deep breath) SV 650 or Thou but had always lusted after a Tuono.
At this time, early Tuonos were still going for 3 1/2K minimum but searches always threw up the odd Falco.
I assumed they were out of reach until I started seeing prices around the 2K mark.
I then did loads of research, here and AF1 and bought the first one I test rode - and for 2K.
Have never looked back and like the looks better than the Tuono !

(Obviously I have looked back before overtaking on the bike or when I hear footsteps behind me walking home from the pub at night etc. but you get my drift )

The more i read, the more the Ducati idea fades into the distance.. Really can't wait to get my hands (and arse!) on one..

My view is that the Falco is the connoisseur’s choice. Ducati is the fashion victim’s. Japanese I4’s are for the masses, Triumph the patriot’s and Guzzi the mildly eccentric’s. BMW for the sensible if unimaginative.

As for the other Aprilia models well I'd not mind a de-stickered early RSVR or factory also in the garage but I'm not particularly taken with the rest of them.

i would have a fut fut for serious touring

Aladinsaneuk wrote:i would have a fut fut for serious touring

I've taken a fancy to the Guzzi Norge for that.