BRAND NEW Flamingo Red Falco for sale !!

Message

sabestian · #46 Post by **sabestian** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:53 pm

Those tyres are already a few years old, been sitting on a bike (hardly ideal for tyre storage). For those reasons alone. Add to that the reputation (and other members' experience)...It's a no brainer.

They are made of wood, not rubber. That's what they feel like. Both ends gave way under me on a clear, dry tarmac, with no warning at all. It felt like I was on ice. Just gone.

They were cold, I give them that, but it would never happen on my Contis RoadAttac even straight from the freezer.

I don't want you to go through what I went through, staring hopelessly at a virtually brand new bike gliding gracefully towards the kerb and SLAMMING into it. Pieces of fairings flying in the air. It'll never go away.

Besides, what's the saving, mate? You're going to swap them anyway unless you're crazy.

Viffer · #47 Post by **Viffer** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:06 pm

Easy peasy Mango, don't tell her. Works for me.

FlyingKiwi · #48 Post by **FlyingKiwi** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:20 pm

mangocrazy wrote:What is it about MEZ3s that make people hate them so? Are they bad in the wet , or just generally rubbish? And in what way are they rubbish?

I wore out the OE tyres on my first Falco. I'm in the same positon where every penny counts.
I was cautious at first but I reckon I was riding normally by the end of their life.
But I think I must ride like a tart compared to some on here

#49 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:29 pm

Viffer wrote:Easy peasy Mango, don't tell her. Works for me.

Unfortunately walking out to the van, wheel under each arm and bike up on stilts is a bit of a dead giveaway...

I could always suggest she needs a new dress, of course. She'll be gone for the whole day then...

joecrx · #50 Post by **joecrx** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:31 pm

iv git ghicken stripes wider than john travaltas tie

only kidding ,had a couple of warm days this month and got rid of them

Viffer · #51 Post by **Viffer** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:32 pm

There y'go Mango, there's always a way.

#52 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:43 pm

So what's the consensus on tyres, then? I'm leaning (pun intended) towards a pair of Conti Road Attacks...?

D-Rider · #53 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:14 pm

LOL - yes ..... my mrs was not best pleased when I changed mine at 2,700 miles - the rear was shot by then.

These are not necessarily bad tyres per se - I've heard that they do suit other bikes but not the Falco.
This isn't a bandwagon thing - we've all noted the symptoms and all been amazed at the change in handling when the tyres were changed.
So why did Aprilia choose to specify these tyres as standard fit when they work so poorly? Well I've no idea - just like I've no idea why we got that feeble attempt at a sidestand when those in the USA got a proper job that works.

Yes it is possible to ride it on the MEZ3s but - it will be a pig to turn-in and will under-steer. The front will feel a bit vague and confidence in grip may be lacking.
On the positive side, they do wear out quickly.

Now if you've not tried other tyres on it, you've no benchmark and you may easily live with it .... that's fine .... but if you do then begin to feel that the Falco's not such a great bike, you lack confidence and the handling's a bit so-so, just remember it's probably the tyres and it's worth sticking with the bike 'till you've put some other rubber on it.

As for tyres - I'm just loving the new Diablo Rossos (not the cheapest ATM though)

Nooj · #54 Post by **Nooj** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:06 pm

I still like the CorsaIII, or if you want something that will last a bit longer the Mez6 seems to suit the bike well.
The Mez3 made the bike feel like the wheels were trying to go in different directions all the time. I had a slide on a dry road in them, nothing serious, but it still shouldn't have happened and riding in the wet was a nightmare, I just wanted to get off the thing.
Mine were worn out by 3000 miles as well, I've no idea how something that wears so quick can grip so little. They made me think I'd bought an unridable bike.

#55 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:30 am

I owned a TL1000S several years ago, and that had very vague handling initially. The famous door closer/rotary damper didn't help matters, but the big problem I found was the 190/50 section rear tyre on a 6" rim. It made the thing understeer badly, with poor steering and a marked tendency to run wide on the way into the corner.

I got hold of a 5.5" rim from a GSXR-600 and put a 180/55 section tyre on it and it transformed the handling. Could it be that the rear MEZ3 is having a similar effect on the Falco's handling? And isn't a 6" rim a bit wide for a 180/55 tyre - wouldn't a 5.5" be better?

D-Rider · #56 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:42 am

The Mille runs a 190 section on the same rim.

There has been a debate on the best section for the Falco on the AF1 forum. Don't think it was that conclusive.

I think it's a bit of a red herring though - other tyres that are 180 section work fine .... just those MEZ3 comedy items ....

hornetrider · #57 Post by **hornetrider** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:58 pm

Congrats on your purchase, nice one!

You're getting plenty of good advice already, but I'll add my 2p on one point. You say you'd prefer a shock with remote preload and ride height adjustment. I have no reason to disagree with you on that, each rider has to have what they want. But. If I were you if you are being offered an Ohlins for a 120 quid then I would bite their hand off, so so quickly.

Fit it straight away, run it and when you can afford your better shock you can stick the Ohlins on the bay for a profit. I paid 220 for mine and they always seem to fetch 220-250 - so you will make yourself some money to offset against other mods.

Like I say, just my 2p mate! :)

#58 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:21 pm

Cheers Hornetrider - that's pretty good advice, I think... MMC have ordered half a dozen up and my name is on one of them (once I've seen that they really are genuine Ohlins). At that price it would be rude not to...

Fausto · #59 Post by **Fausto** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:35 pm

And congrats on that scoop from me too.

May I suggest that you do the sidestand mod FIRST. Once you have parked up a few times and walked away with frequent nervous glances over your shoulder to see if it's fallen over you will understand this. And it's a nice cheap mod.

Oh and +1 for the 15 tooth sprocket.

As for tyres - I never had the pleasure of the OEM Metzs but can't believe they are that bad if you take care. As I understand it tyres only begin to deteriorate seriously once they have been run up to temperature a few times ( although I'd avoid really old new ones just to be sure)

I'm very happy with my Conti Road Attacks by the way.

D-Rider · #60 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:48 pm

Fausto wrote: As for tyres - I never had the pleasure of the OEM Metzs but can't believe they are that bad if you take care.

.... and that would have been exactly my opinion had I not had them on my bike - I was of the view that there is no such thing as a truly awful tyre ....