Simple pleasures

[D-Rider]

now that ive upset the apple cart

i just wanted to say that,,, in no way shape or form was i slagging any body or bike off.(if it came across in that way,that wasnt my intention) i was just voicing my opinions based on my circumstances and experiences.

(shouldve known better than to say anything slightly damming against the falco)
(and yes thats meant to be light hearted as well).....

Don't worry - we don't want a forum where people are fearful of expressing contrary views. If you see things differently then by all means say so ... though do expect that others may well post their views too.

As long as it stays friendly then such discussions are all good.

[slickliner6]

now that ive upset the apple cart

i just wanted to say that,,, in no way shape or form was i slagging any body or bike off.(if it came across in that way,that wasnt my intention) i was just voicing my opinions based on my circumstances and experiences.

(shouldve known better than to say anything slightly damming against the falco)
(and yes thats meant to be light hearted as well).....

Don't worry - we don't want a forum where people are fearful of expressing contrary views. If you see things differently then by all means say so ... though do expect that others may well post their views too.

As long as it stays friendly then such discussions are all good.

Of course i expect people to come with their own opinions and as long as they match MY opinions then we're all good.

[HowardQ]

I've said this many times before, so sorry to be boring.
The Falco is the best and most reliable bike I have ever had, (in 40 odd years riding on many different bikes).
I will soon have had the bike for nine years and have only had two minor failures.
1) Being a 2001 model, it had the early plastic pin that worked the side stand switch and yes it broke, but got home OK and ran for a month like that before fitting the new steel type pin.
2) I ride all year round and failed to keep the rear brake light switch clean. It is low down and gets covered in crap and I had to buy a new one.

I should not say this, but it has never failed to start, (almost always first time!!!!), in almost nine years and 30 odd thousand miles with me, other than when the battery was low or knackered.
The only problem was when I put the tip over switch back in upside down thinking it was a relay, (it does look like a relay and does fit either way)
Otherwise 100% other than normal things changed when worn.

I also have a late ZX9R, one of the last lightweight upgraded 2002 F models with 150bhp.
The Falco is much more fun, cos it hits hard lower down and has better torque, so you can have much more fun at sensible speeds.
If you really rev the 9R at silly speeds it will murder the Falco once well into three figures, (all the way ultimately to around 175), but not something I risk these days.
My best mate also has a 98 Blade which I know well, and that is similar, (but not as quick as the 9R).
The ZX9R has also been 100% reliable for 3 1/2 years.
Both have surprised me on build quality, as they have both been better than previous Hondas I have owned. Both have been ridden all year round and and have stood up better to salt than the Hondas, but I always wash them down after any winter run.
Both are sports tourer type comfortable, the Kwack surprised me here, and is fractionally better.
The only slight difference is economy, they both can get 42 ish in mixed fun riding and come down if thrashed, but when riding slower on crap winter roads, using lower revs the Kwack is amazing and I have seen 58 mpg!!
Good old Flat Side Carbs!!
If one of these were to go it would have to be the 9R, but I enjoy these two "old" bikes so much more than a single new or newer option.

[fatboy]

Yet another 'Marmite' thing !
Inline 4 compared to Falco, like comparing bagpipes to a guitar !
After a 10 year break, i borrowed a GSXR 750, neat, quick, forgiving, happy with triple figures in no time.
Then along came my Falco, crap tyres, blue spring shock, sort them out and
WOOOOHOOOOOO
In truth I'm learning something everytime I ride the falc.
The Gixer, may as well have an on/off switch,not much rider input required

[Cathcart]

I prefer bagpipes...

I've never understood the term "once I learnt to ride it like a twin"... Genuinely, what does that mean? Maybe I'm already riding it like a twin...maybe not...

[blinkey501]

I prefer bagpipes...

I've never understood the term "once I learnt to ride it like a twin"... Genuinely, what does that mean? Maybe I'm already riding it like a twin...maybe not...

I can answer that question has it may be from one of my posts.
The inline 4. Needs revs to make the torque.
The v twin, I don't think I need to answer that

[fatboy]

Sounds like you know how to ride it !
Power delivery to the rear wheel is so different between the two, the Falc lays down power hard and fast, inline 4's are a lot smoother, bit more forgiving, If you are not in the right gear at the right time with a falc it can get a bit clumsy with the power being everything or nothing.
Not very scientific but I think you ride a Falc by the seat of your pants

[nicketynoo]

Well the jury is still out on the Falc for me. I love riding it and it puts a big grin on my face just looking at it in the garage, but I'm afraid the last 2 ride outs to bike nights have had to be on my 24 year old japanese 2 stroke due to the italian girl being poorly sick. I've got to say theres nothing like a 2 stroke in the power band, its just an absolute joy to ride. But hopefully soon I'll be putting some mileage on the big bird!

[D-Rider]

inline 4's are a lot smoother, bit more forgiving,

Hmm ....... slippery wet roundabout and which is more forgiving?
The falco with its buckets of low down grunt or the mild-mannered low-revs output of the I-4?

Nothing's that clear-cut with the variety of roads and situations that exist.


Nickety-nackety-noo .... remind me what's up with yours - looks as though we need to get this one sorted.

[blinkey501]

inline 4's are a lot smoother, bit more forgiving,

Hmm ....... slippery wet roundabout and which is more forgiving?
The falco with its buckets of low down grunt or the mild-mannered low-revs output of the I-4?

Nothing's that clear-cut with the variety of roads and situations that exist.


Nickety-nackety-noo .... remind me what's up with yours - looks as though we need to get this one sorted.

Nick and myself had a discussion at leverton bike night andy. The problem might be sorted

[mangocrazy]

Well the jury is still out on the Falc for me. I love riding it and it puts a big grin on my face just looking at it in the garage, but I'm afraid the last 2 ride outs to bike nights have had to be on my 24 year old japanese 2 stroke due to the italian girl being poorly sick. I've got to say theres nothing like a 2 stroke in the power band, its just an absolute joy to ride. But hopefully soon I'll be putting some mileage on the big bird!

I'm not sure if two-strokes and V-twins have something in common, but I've had quite a few iterations of both, and love them to bits. If two strokes had four-stroke reliability (generally speaking) I'd be very hard pressed to choose between them.

[nicketynoo]

I'm not sure if two-strokes and V-twins have something in common, but I've had quite a few iterations of both, and love them to bits. If two strokes had four-stroke reliability (generally speaking) I'd be very hard pressed to choose between them.[/quote]

Well if V twins and 2 strokes are unreliable then the RGV's gotta go! After all its both of these.
But at least its got a kickstart and can be pushed off easily if this fails.

[mangocrazy]

A mate of mine was an RGV-fancier. Lovely, lovely bikes, but the power valves are a very poor design. If they'd got that part of the equation sorted, I'd have one like a shot. Or probably the RS250 with the RGV-based engine, to be honest...

And you're right - there is nothing in bike-dom that compares with when a two stroke gets into its power-band. Absolutely addictive - the whole bike comes 'alive'...

[nicketynoo]

D-Rider I think the basic problem is the fact that the charging system isn't that great, its failed to start twice due to a flat battery. I have a fairly new maximiser and it seems this has also failed. It looks like its testing the battery and charging it . It even shows the battery voltage and how much current its taking and finally showing the battery is strong and fully charged but try the starter and its flat as a fart. A mate has charged my battery on his optimate and I'll be trying it again soon,but have also got a new battery and this started the bike fine. The maximiser is the 3800 model and I've read some bad reviews about it, seems I should have got an Optimate.
The Falco hasn't got an alarm fitted so I dont see why it should even need to be sat on an optimate all the time
And now I've snapped the carbon strap holding the end can on £43 for a new one feel like its fated but its gonna get a good chance

[hiscot]

When I picked up my falco it would not start at the sellers house , ( the engine spun over plenty before the battery went flat ) we put the bike into the van and then charged the battery when we got it home( brothers ). again it was still a poor starter but it did turn over however it would either fire or soon flatten and reset the dash
once it fired and warmed up it would be fine running around so I got packed ready for my return to my home early the next day, only to find it would spin over but not fire then flatten again , so back into the van, take it to my brothers work ( motor factors ) to remove the battery ( I should of got one straight away when I got the bike ) we found it only had a 12 amp battery fitted
We fitted a new 14 amp and now it starts first click ( every time hot or cold) of the button no spinning over but instant start as soon as the starter is pressed
My brothers battery book states a 14 amp battery as does this site
http://home.comcast.net/~sl_mille/battery.html
( oddly I think my book lists 12 amp )
I did notice your photo nicketynoo of your old battery is rated at 11 amps
it may of been fine when new but if its tired it wont help
Like i said my old battery would spin it over but not fire it up this new one just fires up no spinning over instant start
I would also think your charger may be ok , on my old battery the optimate we used, said full charge.
it just was not holding it under load , sign of a tired battery !