Another RSV shock onto Falco question....

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jayboy · #1 Post by **jayboy** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:37 pm

Hi all, I'm fitting an RSV shock onto my Falco over the weekend, is it best to use the standard settings of the RSV on it?
I'm unsure if there is any related height issue or if it is nothing to worry about?

any advice greatfully received.

Aladinsaneuk · #2 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:39 pm

as a base start, i would think so :)

Falco9 · #3 Post by **Falco9** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:20 pm

The RSV shock does have adjustable ride height and this is a real bonus in terms of helping to quicken up the steering on the Falco.

The most important thing to do is set your static sag once the shock is fitted, and then use the std RSV settings to give you a base from which to work.

Personally I would raise the ride height once this was done as the benefits are immediate.

F9

HowardQ · #4 Post by **HowardQ** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:23 pm

Exactly as F9 says!
I did just the same, mine is still on the standard RSV White Spring shock settings, just with static sag adjusted, and it has been fine for me.

jayboy · #5 Post by **jayboy** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:54 pm

I got a yellow spring 2003 set-up for mine. Shall I wind it up a little anyway - i was tempted to do that and just use the standard RSV damping settings.

I can't find proper comaprable weights of the bikes, wikipedia shows the Falco @ 222kg and the RSV @ 183kg?! Surely a Falco isn't much if any heavier?

If it is, then obviously, gonna need a lot more spring preload?

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:22 pm

jayboy wrote:I got a yellow spring 2003 set-up for mine. Shall I wind it up a little anyway - i was tempted to do that and just use the standard RSV damping settings.

I can't find proper comaprable weights of the bikes, wikipedia shows the Falco @ 222kg and the RSV @ 183kg?! Surely a Falco isn't much if any heavier?

If it is, then obviously, gonna need a lot more spring preload?

No they are very similar in weight - though I can't remember exact values.

And don't forget the SL in SL1000 stands for Sports Light (well, the Italian equivalent)

#7 Post by **mangocrazy** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:38 pm

jayboy wrote:I can't find proper comaprable weights of the bikes, wikipedia shows the Falco @ 222kg and the RSV @ 183kg?! Surely a Falco isn't much if any heavier?

I think that Wiki is quoting the wet weight for the Falco and the dry weight for the RSV (probably written by an RSV owner with an agenda). In real life I'd be surprised if there was any more than 10kg separating them.

And don't trust Wikipedia. It can be very helpful, but it can also be very misleading.

I put an RSV Ohlins on my Falco and if anything the stock settings were too firm. Handled beautifully, but you could feel every piece of gravel you rolled over... Stock settings will be close enough for jazz. Just get out there and ride it - you'll soon see if any adjustments are necessary.

D-Rider · #8 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:14 pm

OK - I've checked the official Aprilia User Manuals:

Falco Weight Ready For Starting = 222 Kg
Mille Weight Ready For Starting = 221 Kg
MilleR Weight Ready For Starting = 211Kg

Looks as though the Falco would be lighter than the Mille were it not for the Falco's twin silencers.
I'm thinking that with my 2into1 with aftermarket pipe and just about all of the MilleR goodies, my Falco is probably lighter than any of these .... shame the rider spoils the effect.

Aladinsaneuk · #9 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:23 pm

as i said, i would start with the recommended settings for the mille....

jayboy · #10 Post by **jayboy** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:01 pm

excellent info, I did wonder if it were wet v drys.
It all went smoothly, thanks to the info from people earlier in the week, stumbled upon a steel rod just long enough to pass through and sit on stands, thank fcuk!
Shock was wound up quite a bit in terms of adjutment, I went back to stock and will leave it for a while, I put a fair few miles on her today and it's magic, BUT, my original had plastered itself and the surrounding bits of swingarm & linkage in oil, so I can't honestly compare like for like. Nice to have the option of adjustment for compression too though.
There's another, minus linkages on ebay if anyone wants the heads up...?