RiderSite.com - Motorcycle Forums

Just thought I'd warn you all that come May this year, I will quite possible start to become a bit of a nuisance around here.
Why?
Well, I know it's madness, but despite everything, and life throwing plenty of curve balls in my way to stop me, I'm selling VFR750 ................


........and getting a Falco!!

Ok, I know, I've got to wait a while (any tips on how I can make the next 2 months go quick would help) but I'm kinda hoping the wait will be worth it.
So to kick off being a pain in the arse, any tips on how I should ride the thing? apart from the obvious rubber side down, full throttle etc
I'm expecting to miss the comfort, low speed tractability, fuel guage (how do you guys manage without one - how long on reserve by the way at sensible speeds?), but I'm looking forward to the whole V Twin kick.
I've lost count of the number of Falco's that have slipped past my grasp for one reason or another, but in the end, I reckon I've struck lucky, but will let you all know when I finally have the beauty in my grasp. I'm pretty sure I've chosen the right colour too - most important ..........dark side? what dark side?

One thing I could do with is a recommendation for servicing and suspension set up in the Shropshire area (or as near as). I've got Forza Italia in Silverstone and Speedaway motorcycles in Blackheath as a distant fall back, both of which seem happy to service my bike and come across as decent outfits, but a place nearer would be great. I've always done the servicing on my VFR, bar really tricky stuff, but I think the Falco deserves good treatment for the big service stuff.
I'm particularly interested in getting the suspension sorted properly, especially as the bike I'm getting is equipped with one of them yellow thingies on the back. I know how to set sag, and could no doubt work out best compression & rebound for myself, but a thorough going over of the suspension, fork oil weight, spring selection, and of course proper tweaking, would I presume make the whole Falco package just that bit sweeter.

Ok, it's all a bit far off at the moment, but there's always the manual downloads to read until then. Any advice about what I should expect, how I should approach it, who I should trust etc would be gratefully received.

Will let you know when I'm officially a proper member, and will post up pics of the bike.

Cheers

Rene

Good news - don't think you'll regret the change.

If I were you, for any servicing you don't do yourself, contact Griff at Aprilia Performance in Fazely/Tamworth.
He'll also set your suspension up for you.

Really knows his stuff - was formerly Aprilia UK's technical supremo - and now runs his own business. I'd recommend him highly.
A number of us went to his place for a suspension setup training day last autumn - it was really good - I'm sure others will echo my comments.

http://apriliaperformance.co.uk/Main/main.html

If you want a different suspension expert then I have used Revs Racing in Halesowen:

http://www.revsracing.co.uk/

As D-R says, you won't regret it, and see Griff for your needs.

In the meantime start looking for all the add ons that you will need.

Just don't listen to these on here, they will empty your credit card for you.

welcome

please can we have your current credit rating and list of available credit cards.....

Aladinsaneuk wrote:welcome

please can we have your current credit rating and list of available credit cards.....

Certainly - credit rating v good and I have a credit card with quite a few thousand pounds available - and that's positively dangerous, as there's no way I'd want to live without my wife - if you get my drift

Many thanks D-Rider for the Griff tip - will call him next week - exactly what I need, cheers.

They're very nice bikes, but you'll miss the IL4 urge.

Its a dinky bike, think Matchbox if you're tall.

It sounds gorgeous if its non standard (chipped, loud pipes, de-restricted)

The plastics are rubbish if it gets dropped, they seem to be make of honeycomb wax

Oh and they're quite vibey, something to do with 2 cylinders being missing.

I like 'em tho

think Matchbox if you're tall

lol @ Peter Crouch's big brother....

Aladinsaneuk wrote:

think Matchbox if you're tall

lol @ Peter Crouch's big brother....

FFS I'm not that tall

Cue Gio's Robot Dance at the next Forum Weekend ......

good question , how do we manage without fuel gauge ,easy if you get thursty so is the bike you will enjoy it but it will remind you who the boss is

Best thing about the Falco is that you don't have to ride it like you stole it.
(But it is nice to do occasionally!)
You can travel really quick and never go above 7K if you're that way inclined, the low down torque is totally addictive.
I've had a VFR 750 (G Reg) in the past, and got rid of my old CBR1000F in December after 7 1/2 years, they were both Hondas and excellent bikes, the Falco is the best bike I've ever had in 40 odd years, with more character than any Honda could ever dream of.
Just enjoy it mate, I've been doing that for more tha 5 1/2 years, still get the buzz every time I ride it.
Set the trip, every time you brim the tank, and you should get between about 100 and 140 miles before the light comes on, depends how hard you ride it, but 120 shouldn't be too hard.
If you think it's bad without a gauge, I just swapped the CBR Thou for a 2002 ZX9R that has no fuel gauge and no light, just a reserve on the tap.
I do the same on that, use the trip when tank full.

HowardQ wrote: Set the trip, every time you brim the tank, and you should get between about 100 and 140 miles before the light comes on, depends how hard you ride it, but 120 shouldn't be too hard.
If you think it's bad without a gauge, I just swapped the CBR Thou for a 2002 ZX9R that has no fuel gauge and no light, just a reserve on the tap.
I do the same on that, use the trip when tank full.

Cheers Howard - the ZXR sounds useful - I had the same set up with an old Herald - but that had the reserve tap in the boot - very handy