massive favour for a forum newbie

Message

MDKsmiffy · #1 Post by **MDKsmiffy** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:14 pm

Hi all.

i'm in the market to buy a Falco, as soon as i get the insurance cheque that is for my stolen Z1000.
Bit of a change from the Z i know but having trawled many bike sites looking for a replacement Z it is the Falco and the Tuono that i keep going back to

, the Zs no longer get a look in. As the 06 Tuono is out of my price range a Falco is the obvious choice, nice looking bike and gets pretty much all excellent reviews.

Any way, found an 05 registered Black Falco for £3190 with 5k on the clock with Aprilia racing carbon cans and looks very tidy in the pic. I'm not the most mechanically minded by a long shot and seen as the bike is just south west of Bradford and i'm about 160 miles away i was wondering if there were any Falco owners in the Bradford area who'd do a reccy for me and see if it was worth the trek up to have a look or even such a bargain as to just get it delivered.

A massive ask i know, especially for a forum newbie, but you don't get if you don't ask. beer tokens obviously would be proffered for any willing volunteers.

Cheers all
Smiffy

D-Rider · #2 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:22 pm

Hi Smiffy and Welcome

Doubt you'll regret moving to a Falco - few do.

I'm not really in the right area to have a look for you but we've others of a more northerly persuasion (and some much further north).

If it's on an 05 plate I expect it's ether Black and Olympic Bronze (same as mine - also on an 05 plate), Black and (the curiously named) Flamingo Red or the extremely rare Black and Oasis Green.

Aprilia Carbon cans are good - does it have the SL chip that went with them? (not the end of the world if it doesn't BTW).
Price sounds a bit on the high side but maybe prices have crept up a bit. It's still a heck of a lot of bike for the money.

Dusty · #3 Post by **Dusty** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:38 pm

Welcome aboard, Smiffy. This is an excellent forum for an excellent bike. Unfortunately, I'm one of those of the further northerly persuausion, so I can't hel you I'm afraid. Good luck with the purchase.

MDKsmiffy · #4 Post by **MDKsmiffy** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:38 pm

thanks for the welcome D-Rider.
It was on at £3390 but they have dropped it £200 since Xmas.
Seemed an ok price for the year and mileage seen as there's a bunch around for £3000ish that were 02 or 03 and had 20k on them.

i think like you said it's actually an Olympic bronze but black is so much easier to type. As for the chip i have no further info, i'm only going by the pics for the exhausts to be honest.

Don't think i can live with just getting it delivered and hoping for the best, even if it does look immaculate in the pics, just makes me nervous.

There's an 05 Tuono for £4000 here in Bristol i'm hoping to test ride this weekend all being well. I know it's very different but i've been on in line 4s for 20 years and going twin is a big step. i'm hoping the Tuono will give me an idea if i'll take to the switch or not.

Cheers
Smiffy

furygan man · #5 Post by **furygan man** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:18 pm

Hi Smiffy!!

There's two of us in Baildon which is just above Bradford (me and Herbatious) and there's one or two in West Yorks can't rember if it's Falco9 or Tweaker (someone's in Wakefield), there's a map of riders on here somewhere as DR says...where abouts south of Bradford...what's the dealer or is it Private?

Have only owned one for 12 months and it's my first bike so prob not too qualified as i'm still learning the ropes so don't know if i can help out in anyway? from what i've seen not many are in a bad way and most get really looked after, mine was 9 years old and 9k when i bought on looks alone not knowing anything, have learnt (and spent) a lot on here, there's loads of things that cna be changed/added if it's not quite right

Falco9 · #6 Post by **Falco9** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:24 pm

I'm in Wakefield (as Furygan has just said) can I ask which dealer is the bike at?

If I can help and give it the once over for you I'm happy to do so

Let me know

F9

herbacious · #7 Post by **herbacious** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:32 pm

yeah based in baildon

though to be honest i woudl look at it and go oooh its nice :)

my mechanical skills etc aren't particularly amazing

seems like a good price and very low miles

is it HPI clear etc?

furygan man · #8 Post by **furygan man** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:35 pm

If it's the one on auto trader...then looking at it now, good pics...not sure about the painted tyres

I think it looks pretty dam good, prices seem to be holding there own so see what you can squeeze out of them, can't imagine anything would be wrong and there would be comeback anyway if it's a dealer. Ask if the stand has been changed as that's one of the first things you'll get asked to change (lots of cheap options) also ask about the seat cowl, if it's not included they come up occasionally on ebay, ECU chips can also be done on the cheap

For my pennies worth i'd go for it, it looks pretty good and anymore you could get off would be a bonus say £2800-£3000...you're more than likely to keep the thing for a while than sell it anyway

HIP clear

Sorry went on a bit, more qualified people on here anyway...good luck

Falco9 · #9 Post by **Falco9** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:48 pm

Yes, I've just found it as well, you guys in Balidon are closer than me but to be honest it looks well loved and with only 5K on it it should be fine.

The fasteners are all spotlessly clean, tyres haven't been used to the edge. I can see an Optimate (type)connector so the previous owner has at least kept the battery charged. and there are both keys, from what I can see it look a belter

You need to ask if the rear seat cowl is included as well as the standard exhausts and std ECU chip because the Carbon ones currently fitted will not pass the MOT (they have "For Race Use Only" stamped on the inside of them and never came with any baffles fitted in them) with most MOT stations. They do sound superb though and there should also be an "Aprilia Carbon" chip fitted in the ECU to go with them

Personally I'd make them an offer of £2800 and raise to £2900 when they winge. If you stick to your guns, I reckon they may take it if you have no P/X

F9

D-Rider · #10 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:04 pm

Yeah looks very nice - and soooooo "standard"

Sidestand and shock are priorities for upgrade (why do people change cans before these

)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

cornish mafia · #11 Post by **cornish mafia** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:13 pm

Hi Smiffy

Had a quick look at it as well and like everyone else says it looks great...................i brought mine with out seeing it and it was fine and delivered to the door as well. There's only one thing to remember mate when buying such a great bike..YOU WILL BE BUYING THE FASTEST COLOUR !!!!

Don't listen to what the rest tell you about that bit !!!........Offer them £2800 and see what they say

Twins are the way to go for the road and once you're hooked mate you'll love it ..........and then get your credit card out and speak with the forum gods on here and they will advise you how to spend more money on it ..........BUGGERS

damci · #12 Post by **damci** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:18 pm

I live on the outskirts of Bradford but have never heard of that bike dealer. To be honest there are a few motorbike dealers in Bradford from whom I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole so you might be best checking it out for yourself.

I see on Autotrader there is a Falco for sale at Kawasaki Autorama. I have bought a bike from them in the past and had no troubles, they are part of Padgett’s IIRC and are an Aprilia main dealer.

Falco9 · #13 Post by **Falco9** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:41 pm

damci wrote:I live on the outskirts of Bradford but have never heard of that bike dealer. To be honest there are a few motorbike dealers in Bradford from whom I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole so you might be best checking it out for yourself.

I see on Autotrader there is a Falco for sale at Kawasaki Autorama. I have bought a bike from them in the past and had no troubles, they are part of Padgett’s IIRC and are an Aprilia main dealer.

I think this dealer has recently changed their name. I definately went to have a look at a bike at this address late last year but I'm sure it was under a different name. Its an industrial unit and thay had plenty of decent looking bikes in there but I don't remember seeing any workshop attached (could be wrong mind)

Padgetts are a good dealer (I bought my Tuono off them) If you are interested in their Falco ask for Brian. I've had a look at this bike and its nice but Padgetts aren't known for dropping their prices too far and its up at around £3.5k isn't it? I could definately have a closer look at this Falco for you if it helps?

F9

MDKsmiffy · #14 Post by **MDKsmiffy** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:47 pm

thanks for all the replies guys.
that is indeed the one D-Rider, should have just posted a link in the first place really.

Good shout on the pipes Falco9, don't want to have buy standard pipes on top if i can help it. Although they seem to be available really cheaply if i had to get some as most people have aftermarkets fitted.

unfortunately damci the one at Kwakarama is a year older, three times the mileage and £200 more.

I know you get 3 months warranty as standard on most secondhand stuff but you gotta figure it'd have to be somet expensive to go wrong before i pop the 160 miles for them to have a look.

Guess i'll do a bit of investigating of the shop online before i proceed any further. maybe give them a call for more info on the service history and what bits are actually included like the standard pipes, ECU and cowl.

Will keep you all posted.

Although i have just found an 57 2 oh no just down the road from me at £4500 with 6k on it. Wonder if the Mrs will notice the extra on the price tag????:smt014

Thanks again guys

Smiffy

joecrx · #15 Post by **joecrx** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:52 pm

hi welcome ,
dont know about the price i would say 2800 if you can get it its a bargain if every thing else is ok with it ,
one thing i would try and look at ,as with mine that i only noticed when replacing my clutch slave wich might get you a few pound off is the front sproket, remove the cover and see if the chain has snaped and broken the ally protector just behind the slave its part of the main casing