Falco rider. 4 years away.

[scorpio24v]

If all is as it should be and the battery is in good condition, the Falco always starts well. Almost always first time in the 4 years I have had mine! Needs choke from cold, but I usually back it off a bit very quickly as I don't like high(ish) revs on a cold engine. Just gradually back it off further until it warms up.
Never try to start if the battery is dodgy, at the best you may get a dash reset, at the worst it will destroy the spag clutch, not cheap!
If it has been stood for so long the battery may not be fully up to it, even if occasionally charged. The other things to think about are obviously the 4 plugs, not all easy to get at, but again need checking and probably replacing after so long off the road. The other much more worrying thing is old fuel. Basic unleaded is pretty crap and turns to sludge after a few months, which can really clog things up. If either of my bikes is not used for a while I make sure they get super unleaded which is much more stable.
Hope you have more luck starting it tonite.

Super unleaded, interesting. My CBX has problems with gumming up jets. have you any published literature available to suggest that super is more stable? it would probably be cheaper than a carb strip, ask me how i know

[Falcopops]

It's all derestricted as expected.
I'm afraid the dip in power and torque would appear to be normal for a standard bike.

It is for a standard bike, but yours isn't standard. The renegade cans and chip (and airbox) take out the flat spot around 5k, I've seen the graphs and experienced it. May be you only have the cans and not the chip, worth checking.

It's only been on the road a week and the stupid thing did not start this morning, now i remember why it ended up in there in hte first place. Had to get a bus to work.

What were the symptoms?

If it's been away for 4 years I'd replace the battery, much cheaper than replacing the sprag. Even on a trickle charger it must be suspect.

I generally start mine by moving the fast idle (choke if you will) while watching the throttle grip. As soon as I see the throttle move stop with the fast idle. Then touch nothing apart from the start button. In colder weather a little more fast idle may be needed, but only a little.

Some owners suggest a full on fast idle to start, but I can't stand a cold engine going from 0 to anything more than 2.5k in an instant.

[HowardQ]

If all is as it should be and the battery is in good condition, the Falco always starts well. Almost always first time in the 4 years I have had mine! Needs choke from cold, but I usually back it off a bit very quickly as I don't like high(ish) revs on a cold engine. Just gradually back it off further until it warms up.
Never try to start if the battery is dodgy, at the best you may get a dash reset, at the worst it will destroy the spag clutch, not cheap!
If it has been stood for so long the battery may not be fully up to it, even if occasionally charged. The other things to think about are obviously the 4 plugs, not all easy to get at, but again need checking and probably replacing after so long off the road. The other much more worrying thing is old fuel. Basic unleaded is pretty crap and turns to sludge after a few months, which can really clog things up. If either of my bikes is not used for a while I make sure they get super unleaded which is much more stable.
Hope you have more luck starting it tonite.

Super unleaded, interesting. My CBX has problems with gumming up jets. have you any published literature available to suggest that super is more stable? it would probably be cheaper than a carb strip, ask me how i know

It has been detailed in a few bike mags I've read, but can't remember when and which mag, was certainly in "Bike" sometime.
I have also experienced it first hand with my old CBR1000. I tend to not use it much since I got the Falco 4 yrs ago, mainly a winter hack now. First time I left it stood through summer with UL in it I had a right job sorting it out, then read this report and always make sure I leave it with a tank of super now, it has been much better.
I reckon bog standard unleaded has been robbed of most of the fancy additives, to keep the cost down (?? ??). They all seem to just go in the super brands now.
Also remember a national story a few years ago about not buying cheap petrol from supermarkets, as the stuff was cheap because they did not pay for these additives.

[robthom1]

Thanks for all the reply's. Great forum.
I came to a similar conclusion as some regarding the non starting battery issue. Bought a new one and she turn over just fine now.
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As far as the dip goes, I'm now sure it's normal........ ok it's not a dip but when I had the renes and chip I was popping wheelies in that range, now it just sucks and the wheel comes flying up at 5.5k, it used (before going back to standard) to do that at any revs. It also wont power wheelie in second.
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After two weeks of riding it now...... I'm used to it, and being 4 years older am wondering why I used to wheelie everywhere, what an iodiot :).