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Wasn't even thinking of parting with my SV 650S when a sexy Italian (Falco) caught my eye, very pretty and seems like a good deal.

I took the VIN & VRM numbers on my camera phone and ran an HPI check later which reported that the VIN does not match VRM! No problems are reported against the VRM.

I confronted the Indepentant Dealer and he seemed surprised. We checked the document VIN against the frame VIN and it looks like when the bike was registered originally someone recorded an "S" as a "5", which sounds feasible. I updated the HPI check with the VIN from the V5C document but the same report is returned!

The dealer reckons that this is not unknown and that he will sort it out with the DVLA. He reckons they will probably ask him to present the bike for them to inspect. He reckons this would not have been picked up at past MOT's as usually only the last 6 digits of the VIN are entered in the MOT system, the digit giving problems is the 11th so again this seems to be feasible.

Top it all I have now been reading the HEADLAMP posts, think I better check that out too!

Any thoughts /advice appreciated

Hi and Welcome.



Of Falcos generally - they are a top bike and greatly under-valued price wise.
Great when buying - not so great when selling ..... though that's not such a problem as so many of us love them so much, we couldn't contemplate selling.

I guess with the SV you're already aware of the character of a V-Twin .... just the Falco will be even more so.
Hanna (Jadaris) came to her Falco from an SV650 so can probably give a good comparison - maybe others too.

As for that one you've seen .... well firstly ensure the dealer does sort it out.
If not, don't worry, there will be another one.

So what are the other details on the one you've seen?

The biggest thing about going from an sv to the falco is the power - roughly double...

Hanna said that she did not find it too bad - but there is also a weight difference... You can bump start an sv... I think d-rider has done it once... I would not even try!

Me, I am biased - best bike I have ever owned

Oh - what's your credit like?

The Falco in question has only 2 owners and 3700miles on the clock.

Everything looks immaculate and original, I saw it when I called into my local bike shop for oil and a filter for my SV. The dealer was trying to flog me a new Bennelli Trek (out of my price range), when I saw this gleaming red and black Aprilia looking out of the garage.

The bike is standard apart from Carbon Can co Stainless pipes.

The original pipes are there, I still have to see them, but the seat cowl is missing. The dealer is going to chase the previous owner to see if he still has it. He is going to service it renewing all fluids and fit a new set of rubber.

Living in the middle of nowhere there are fewer and fewer dealers near me and this I am thinking is too good a deal to miss. My current bike is due it's big service , MOT and is needing rubber, all of these issues will go away if I change it now. Also as I am not a 4cylinder fan the Falco really appeals. My main concern is parts availability.

I am going to visit the dealer again and have a good look over it again.

But I reckon as long as the DVLA get it sorted out, I can't miss out on the opportunity.

Seat cowels are rare... But do come up on evilbay

(I do happen to have a spare new black one....)

At that mileage the bike may have original Tyres - budget to change them

Sort the sidestand.... Get that done by the stealer - fireblade stand from 2005 to 2007 will cost yo 50 quid new

Then ride it.... Love it... Then come back to let the modding begin....

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Seat cowels are rare... But do come up on evilbay

(I do happen to have a spare new black one....)

At that mileage the bike may have original Tyres - budget to change them

Sort the sidestand.... Get that done by the stealer - fireblade stand from 2005 to 2007 will cost yo 50 quid new

Then ride it.... Love it... Then come back to let the modding begin....

Is it the Diablo Black Black ? If so how much would be required for you to part with it ? ... see I am nearly modding already!

i will dig it out and have a look - I know it is not crow black - other wise it would not be for sale!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-APRILIA-SL10 ... 25638218f0

its that colour - even down to the aprilia performance sticker....

probably about 55 quid plus postage as it is effectively new

Aladinsaneuk wrote:You can bump start an sv... I think d-rider has done it once... I would not even try!

Never even sat on an SV - let alone bump-started one.

I have restarted a rolling Falco on a couple of occasions by dropping the clutch - never done a run along and bump though.
First time or 2 I tried to bump the Falco just resulted in black lines down the road. It's doable but takes a bit of practice - and you don't get many opportunities to practice (unless you knock the fast-idle off too soon).

Aladinsaneuk wrote:i will dig it out and have a look - I know it is not crow black - other wise it would not be for sale!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-APRILIA-SL10 ... 25638218f0

its that colour - even down to the aprilia performance sticker....

probably about 55 quid plus postage as it is effectively new

I think that'll be off of one of the few US import bikes (like fastasfcuk's) - they have a matt black finish.

Actually, has anyone heard anything of Ian (fastasfcuk) lately?

He's been quiet since about the end of May.

i think you asked if you should buy a falco. in a word yes had mine since january and i love it but if you look at passed history on this forum this is not just a bike it could be an obsession. modding ect hello

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Seat cowels are rare... But do come up on evilbay

(I do happen to have a spare new black one....)

At that mileage the bike may have original Tyres - budget to change them

Sort the sidestand.... Get that done by the stealer - fireblade stand from 2005 to 2007 will cost yo 50 quid new

Then ride it.... Love it... Then come back to let the modding begin....

Just had a thougth ... the cowl is locked on with the ignition key, which will be different from the one on my bike to be. Any clues how I work around this ?

the lock is on the bike, not on the cowl.... or your seat would have a lock on it

Aladinsaneuk wrote:the lock is on the bike, not on the cowl.... or your seat would have a lock on it

Panic over - must get me eyes tested!

You'll love the bike, it is so much better than the SV650.
I was with my mate Dave a few weeks ago at South Leverton classic bike meet, when one of his workmates turned up on his very tidy SV650S. We've met before numerous times and he has always talked about swapping for an SV1000 or a Firestorm and started talking about it again. Dave just said take mine out for a run and see what you think of the Falco before you decide, (Tweaker's ex bike that is very nicely and comprehensibly modded).
Anyway off he went, I'll only go just down the road he said, be back in a few minutes.
5 mins passed, then 10 mins, then 15 mins and rising.
It was approaching 20 mins when he finally returned, with Dave starting to twitch a bit by then.
I says never mind that wait for the grin when he takes his helmet off.
Sure enough off comes helmet,
Massive grin, sorry I didn't wan't to come back, it's fooking brilliant he mumbles, so much bloody grunt low down and never stops pulling, never thought it would pull like that, so much harder than my SV.
Thought it would be just like my SV650 or TDM 850, just with a bit more power, but it's not on the same planet.
Short pause, got to get the beer in, owe you one after that.
Back with ale, on he goes, never though it would pull that strong, love it.
Grin still massive, after about an hour till we set off for home and he hadn't really stopped.
He usually goes back on his own even though he lives at Worksop near us.
Could he follow us back he asks.
Evidently he went on through the following day, telling everybody where Dave and him work how great it sounded following two Falcos back.
He is no lovesick kid on his first bike, he's 40 and has been riding for some time, I think we may have another convert soon.
Must of us will understand his reaction.


Just enjoy yours now, many of us have put lots of miles on them with no problems at all.