I can’t take any credit for it just yet as the previous owner, Bigyin on here, made it into what you see here. When I saw this up for sale, I guess I kinda got carried away and committed to buy it before I’d seen it in the flesh. I’ve got to say that Bigyin was more than helpful in his communications to me regarding the history of the bike, and buying form a Forum member always helps, as you know someone’s pretty unlikely to sell you a dud. The bikes not perfect but I’m pretty pleased that I managed to get a 2001 Falco with Ohlins shock, Ohlins steering damper, Ohlins front springs, Scorpion Cans, Oz wheels, Dark screen, Bellypan, Hugger, Scotoiler and other bits & bobs for £2250. Thanks Bigyin, and sorry you had to give up your pride & joy.
Anyway, after a bit of hassle getting the thing transported from Edinburgh to Aprilia Performance, I was looking forward to riding it – until Griff phoned me with some bad news. It was booked into him for an interim service and suspension set up, just to get it spot on for my first encounter, but Griff found a few issues with it that in my ignorance I’d missed. I feel a bit of a plonker not to have noticed, but being new to the brand I didn’t have anything to compare it with, and I guess in hindsight I should have had it ridden by someone that knows them. Not that Bigyin was dishonest, far from it, just that I guess you get used to certain things in your bike and, well Griff being the expert he is really knows Aprilias and can spot something wrong a mile off. A few niggles were easily sorted, but the main issue was a relatively noisy engine. Having worked on improving it Griff feels it’s ok, just one of those loose noisy engines, but it does kinda put a slight damper on my new toy.
So, Friday I spent with Griff setting the suspension. It was an eventful day, with guys turning up throughout the day with varying issues, all attended to with humour, a friendly easy approach and complete professionalism by Griff and the team. It’s a joy to watch people who really know what their doing.
We started with a ride round his TT course, with the suspension as it was. Jesus, was that hard! The previous owner was some 5 stone heavier than me. It took quite a while to get the bike feeling good, and at one point I think both Griff & I almost lost the faith. I’m such a skinny bugger that we had to make some serious adjustments from where the suspension had been set, but the point at which it started to work was a revelation – suddenly the bike started to feel like it was mine. After a few more adjustments we’d arrived at a pretty good set up, but one that I will monitor in the coming weeks, as I get familiar with the bike.
So, what do I think of the Falco. Well, coming from years of VFR750 ownership, it obviously feels more focused and a little hard, but I’m surprised how comfy it is. Sure it’s not as all day plush as the Honda, and strangely enough NOW I understand why everyone says the VFR is such an easy bike to ride. I’m a slow learner, and it takes me time to fully adjust to a new bike, so I don’t feel I can sum up the Falco just yet, but I love the immediacy of the power delivery. Strangely, it’s not as mind blowing as I thought it might be, but probably that’s because speed on the Aprilia is somewhat deceptive. As you all know, and as I’ve read many times, when you wind it on it feels like god is tugging it by a string. And that roar………..
. Although it’s quite hard (compared to the VFR) I really love the fact that it feels so small – and boy is it lighter ! You really do sit on this bike don’t you. It also feels so much more an extension of you. The ride may be firm but it helps to feel what’s going on, and although at times it’s a bit disconcerting, being able to feel what the bike is doing all the time helps me to learn how to ride it properly. I’ve yet to fully exploit the handling, but what I’ve experienced so far leads me to believe I will enjoy the journey finding out just how good this bike, and potentially, my riding can be. You guys can probably do this instantly, but it takes me time to really feel comfortable with any bike. The Falco is definitely boss, but fun and so controllable too. It definitely feels more assured, even though I’m still getting used to the feedback. The faster you go the better it gets of course, and what on the VFR would have previously had me slightly nervous, the Falco just reassures me that it’s all easily within it’s capabilities. It probably always will be with me, as I’m no fast rider, but I can see I’m going to enjoy this. Almost everything about it is so much more immediate, and despite the fact that I had Maxton front & back on the VFR, the Falco feels so much more together. Its definitely like one solid lump of metal, not bits joined together – albeit a rather sophisticated lump of course.So all in all, the first few days have been not quite what I expected, but in some ways more than I expected. I guess that’s to expected from such an underrated but special bike. Certainly all the guys at work are impressed – and some pretty jealous ☺
Finally, I hope to get to meet some of you on future rideouts – as I’m now properly equipped.
Thanks to everyone who’s lead me to this Falco place, especially to D-Rider for putting me in touch with Griff at Aprilia performance. If there’s anyone reading this who doesn’t use Griff’s services and who needs someone to fettle their Aprilia – trust me, you will not find a more accommodating, more skilled, and more value for money outfit than Griff’s. He’s a top bloke and a credit to the marque. I for one will let no-one else touch my Falco from now on.
If you got this far, apologies for the waffle – thanks for reading it all.
Rene
