New to Aprili Falco, Well happy
Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators
New to Aprili Falco, Well happy
Hello folks, I picked up my new Falco yesterday, My first ever Italian bike after 31 years with the Jap stuff and i am astonished with the build Quality, Better than any Japanese bike out there in my opinion, All bolts are galvanised, The anodising on the frame is a fantastic quality, The wheel coatings are totally amazing, Ive heard the electrics can be a bit troublesome so i will have to get that sorted sooner rather than later, Its had a firestorm stand fitted so thats one less thing to worry about, I snipped the restrictor wire and took the airbox restrictor out last night so that should give her a bit more thump, Really looking forward to a good ride out on her now...best wishes Tommo
- flatlander
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How do skipper as good as they are you will find something to spend on and plenty here will encourage you to do it... Including me!
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
- Aladinsaneuk
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No not ridden it yet unrestricted, Been really busy today so haven't been able to get out, Cant wait though, I will have to be very careful though as its not only got the original shock its also still on its original tyres, 14 year old tyres not good, Going to London for 3 days so soon as i get back that will be my first purchase for the old lassAladinsaneuk wrote:So you haven't ridden it yet unrestricted.....
I suspect you may have a rather large smile aftwerwards
- mangocrazy
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The original tyres (Metzeler MEZ3s) have a special circle in hell reserved for them. They really are that shit. If it's raining, do NOT go out on them. They will be lethal. I'd replace them before the bike turns a wheel again, honestly.
The OE shock is not particularly dangerous, just unpleasant. If you want to know what rear shock options are available for the Falco, this should tell you most of what you want to know:
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=9153
Oh, and welcome to the forum. You're clearly a man who appreciates the finer things in life.

The OE shock is not particularly dangerous, just unpleasant. If you want to know what rear shock options are available for the Falco, this should tell you most of what you want to know:
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=9153
Oh, and welcome to the forum. You're clearly a man who appreciates the finer things in life.

Hello mangocrazy, i see your from Sheffield, Thats where I've just picked the bike up from, It was from a retired gent that lives up Wadsley road, Anyway that will be the first thing when i get back a set of brand new tyres for the old lass, I shouldn't be riding her with these tyres on, I t really is a shame as there is loads of tread left in them, You would think they was new.mangocrazy wrote:The original tyres (Metzeler MEZ3s) have a special circle in hell reserved for them. They really are that shit. If it's raining, do NOT go out on them. They will be lethal. I'd replace them before the bike turns a wheel again, honestly.
The OE shock is not particularly dangerous, just unpleasant. If you want to know what rear shock options are available for the Falco, this should tell you most of what you want to know:
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=9153
Oh, and welcome to the forum. You're clearly a man who appreciates the finer things in life.
Hi and welcome.
Hmmm MeZ3 tyres .... I still have cold shivers about them ..... let alone 14yr old MeZ3s.
People said there was no such thing as a bad modern tyre ... they obviously hadn't ridden with those things.
Like a fool I decided to get my money's worth out of them and rode them until they needed changing - that was a stupid decision!
Anyway, enjoy the Falco - it's a great bike

Hmmm MeZ3 tyres .... I still have cold shivers about them ..... let alone 14yr old MeZ3s.
People said there was no such thing as a bad modern tyre ... they obviously hadn't ridden with those things.
Like a fool I decided to get my money's worth out of them and rode them until they needed changing - that was a stupid decision!
Anyway, enjoy the Falco - it's a great bike

“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
- mangocrazy
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Sounds like you really do have a 'one careful owner' bike, especially if he hadn't had it derestricted and it still had the original boots on. Nice one! What year is it and how many miles?tommo wrote:Hello mangocrazy, i see your from Sheffield, Thats where I've just picked the bike up from, It was from a retired gent that lives up Wadsley road, Anyway that will be the first thing when i get back a set of brand new tyres for the old lass, I shouldn't be riding her with these tyres on, I t really is a shame as there is loads of tread left in them, You would think they was new.mangocrazy wrote:The original tyres (Metzeler MEZ3s) have a special circle in hell reserved for them. They really are that shit. If it's raining, do NOT go out on them. They will be lethal. I'd replace them before the bike turns a wheel again, honestly.
The OE shock is not particularly dangerous, just unpleasant. If you want to know what rear shock options are available for the Falco, this should tell you most of what you want to know:
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=9153
Oh, and welcome to the forum. You're clearly a man who appreciates the finer things in life.
- squadron Nero
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- flatlander
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I have just tried my first set of pirelkis hated them so much changing them before they're due and I'm skint!
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
.... and in contrast, I love Pirellis on the Falco. Suit the bike really well - different tyres in the range being suitable to different roles.flatlander wrote:I have just tried my first set of pirelkis hated them so much changing them before they're due and I'm skint!
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
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I put Diablos on after the MEZ3's, and thought they were ace. But when I pushed on a bit, I started losing confidence in them. The BT-16Rs I've got on now though, I've been very happy with.
You'll never get everyone to agree on the "best" tyre, but unviversally everyone will agree the MEZ3s are total shit.
Welcome by the way
You'll never get everyone to agree on the "best" tyre, but unviversally everyone will agree the MEZ3s are total shit.
Welcome by the way

Aprilia SL1000 Falco '04 in Black & Red
Oh yes !Firestarter wrote: You'll never get everyone to agree on the "best" tyre, but unviversally everyone will agree the MEZ3s are total shit.
Welcome by the way
Yeah - but Diablos are old generation tyres.Firestarter wrote:I put Diablos on after the MEZ3's, and thought they were ace. But when I pushed on a bit, I started losing confidence in them.
Last edited by D-Rider on Tue Aug 04, 2015 7:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
- flatlander
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As said we all have out own preferences and you'll have yours. I preferred roadsmarts gen 2 not the newest ones. Same as Firestarter I find the Pirelli doesn't inspire me with confidence when pushed
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock