OK I'm a believer

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ReggieGasket · #1 Post by **ReggieGasket** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:23 pm

I bought my Falco in 2009 (I think) as a cheap long distance commuter and was surprised when I picked it up how good it was. However, I didn't love it like my CB500 or (at the time) CRM250. I think the reason was I acutally didn't do a lot of miles on it - I ended up using my CB for the commute. Also, I wasn't in love with the riding position - the bike didn't have the intuitive feel I like. Since 2010 I've had a short commute of 9 miles and have ridden the Falco much more. This has actually been part of a decision process of which bike to keep - CB or Falco. Anyway, I've been riding the Falco a lot recently and also have put the clipons above the yokes. This combination has meant I'm much more in tune with the bike now. On monday I rode from Beverley to York to catch the train to London. The road was wet and the traffic bad. It's a shitty road overall. However, I made the trip in 30mins. I realised the Falco had performed very well indeed. Confident at speed, easy overtakes, sporty and comfortable riding position. I think I've finally got there

HowardQ · #2 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 10:37 pm

I have always pointed out that the Falco takes a bit more time to get to know than most other bikes, but once you do get there it is really worth it.
About a month's regular use or upwards of 500 plus miles should get you well "tuned in".
Having said that, I've never known anybody need three years to get to know one!
It's still nice to know you got there in the end Reggie.
It carries on getting better from here on in.
ENJOY.

D-Rider · #3 Post by **D-Rider** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 11:23 pm

'tis amazing what a bit of perseverance can do .... and good news indeed

Chabby · #4 Post by **Chabby** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:14 am

Good bike choices. I've a Falco:

and a CRM that I'm in the process of supermoto -ing.

blinkey501 · #5 Post by **blinkey501** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 4:59 am

I must admit i quite like falco,s

Glad to find you are finally tuned in with yours..

fatboy · #6 Post by **fatboy** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:30 pm

I fell in love with my falco pretty much instantly.....
just wish she loved me as much
and worked
and appreciated all those things I bought her

HowardQ · #7 Post by **HowardQ** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:56 am

Must admit a good working relationship does help the bond to grow stronger.
My Falco has been the most reliable, (and by far the best), bike I have ever owned.
In 8 1/2 years and 30 odd thousand miles I have only had two minor faults, it has never let me down and that helps a lot I suppose.
The two faults were the side stand switch, (early plastic type pin), and the rear brake light switch, (got covered in crap in the winter and I forgot regularly clean it).
Do cringe reading about all the starting problems people seem to be having recently.
I did once have a similar issue, after fitting a new battery, tried to fire up and died every time, took me a couple of days to work out that I had fitted the tip-over switch upside down.

It does clip on both ways.

Having said that the KwackZX 9R, which is mainly my winter bike now, is also doing very well with no problems at all in almost 3 years.
I better shut up now or they'll both fall apart over the next few days.

fatboy · #8 Post by **fatboy** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 6:44 pm

HowardQ, you know thats bloody well true

danthewhippet · #9 Post by **danthewhippet** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 1:57 am

I liked mine first time i rode it and even though it's given me occasion to curse it upside down it has paid me back in grin factors, i'd go as far as to say if i had to replace it i'd be looking for another one, just younger and less mls. I do get pain in my right leg after about 60mls though and was wondering about how you found the effect and practcality of moving the handlebars above the yokes, do they foul anything? does it straighten your position? would i also have to adjust the fork position in the yoke?

blinkey501 · #10 Post by **blinkey501** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:27 am

danthewhippet wrote:I liked mine first time i rode it and even though it's given me occasion to curse it upside down it has paid me back in grin factors, i'd go as far as to say if i had to replace it i'd be looking for another one, just younger and less mls. I do get pain in my right leg after about 60mls though and was wondering about how you found the effect and practcality of moving the handlebars above the yokes, do they foul anything? does it straighten your position? would i also have to adjust the fork position in the yoke?

I have ridden petes bike and the clip ons are above the yokes.
I must admit the position does help with a little more comfort although you cannot lock the steering lock has the bars do catch the tank.
Look at your tank and you will see a cut out where the bars turn when in the origional position

D-Rider · #11 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 12:28 pm

blinkey501 wrote: I must admit the position does help with a little more comfort although you cannot lock the steering lock has the bars do catch the tank.
Look at your tank and you will see a cut out where the bars turn when in the origional position

Isn't that an MOT failure? Not the locking but the bars coming back in to the tank?
Though I doubt many MOT places would ever fail you on that.

flatlander · #12 Post by **flatlander** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 12:40 pm

You forget Pete rarely needs to pass the MOT on his bike as it spends most of its time on the road mounted to another vehicle. In fact it has been suggested that he just books am MOT at his destination then sets off and calls the rescue team when he needs to put fuel in.

Aladinsaneuk · #13 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:42 pm

lol

actually, an MOT inspector did have a quiet word with me about tank fouling - adjust the angle of the switch gear was my solution

and re the original request - do a search here for bars over triple crown - all the in formation is here - and it is straight forward - i have even posted up on how to stop the front brake reservoir fouling the fairing - and its very easy, and cheap - so cheap it should be wearing white boots :)

ReggieGasket · #14 Post by **ReggieGasket** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:07 pm

I actually had the clipons put over the yokes by the guys who did the MOT

ReggieGasket · #15 Post by **ReggieGasket** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:22 pm

I think my feelings towards it were also affected by the fact it took me a long time to get it fully sorted. I used the wrong tyre pressures for a while

and there was a problem with the forks which I was slow to sort out. Also the rear tyre was squared off and the front old. Now the bike is completely standard but everything is working correctly. Also lifting the clipons over the yokes has sharpened the steering a bit (forks a little higher in the yokes). I'd still prefer the bars to be higher, but I feel very confident on the bike now.