Aprilia SL1000 Falco or Suzuki SV1000S

Message

Shrek · #1 Post by **Shrek** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:44 pm

Hi all, just registered as I am after some help in choosing my next bike. I currently ride a BMW K1200RS which although fast and stable I find it too heavy and uninspiring. I used to find any excuse to go out for a ride on my previous bikes (Triumph Sprint ST, Honda CB1300) but that is not the case with the BM. I need to relight the fire and get a bike with character that will always entice me to get out for a ride.

I need a bike that's fun, has a lot of grunt (I am rather large!) and handles extremely well down the British very twisty back roads.

I like the idea of going for a twin this time round and have tested offerings from Guzzi (Griso) & Moto Morini (Corsaro) both of which are fantastic bikes but too rich for me at the moment.

Everyone I have spoken to has recommended I take a look at the SV1000S and also the Aprilia SL1000 Faclo and so I'm after some info to help me choose. I will try and find an example of both to test ride but would also be grateful if you could give me your opinions on what the ownership experience of the Falco is like. I've heard Aprilia build quality is not up to scratch, is that true? What's the handling like? etc

Many Thanks

Fausto · #2 Post by **Fausto** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:23 pm

Hi Shrek, and welcome.

If you've had a good look at this site you will have noticed that it is unbalanced when it comes to Bike ownership

Bear this partisanship in mind when you receive a flood of recommendations for the Falco

Personally I would happily recommend a big v twin like these 2. I wasn't too sure when getting mine after a 1200 Bandit but am totally smitten now.

Er.... as for the Suzuki / Aprilia issue.......

......... just look at those horrible led rear lights on the SV !!

Firestarter · #3 Post by **Firestarter** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:23 pm

Falco - nuff said

Can't speak for the SV (only test ridden a 650), but the build quality on the Falco is top notch, and is pretty renowned for being excellent, so I'm not sure where you heard it's not good. Possibly just a bit of "Italian bike" bashing. Nothing's given me trouble in 3 years, including a lot of winter commuting.

It's a lot of fun, plenty of grunt, and more than capable enough for me! The only complaint tends to be the crappy shock, which if you're buying new should be considered as a priority to change (along with the crap Metzeler stock tyres), but if you're looking second hand may already be replaced.

There are a couple of articles in Ride, one of which compares the Falco to an SV, Duc 1000DS, and a Firestorm - the Falco came out top, by quite a margin, except for track-addicts. I'll see if I can find a link for it

HTH

Falco9 · #4 Post by **Falco9** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:10 pm

Build quality is NOT an issue with the Falco. Of that both I and many many others here can assure you. Just take a look at the amount of Brembo parts, quality alloy (the welding is superb) parts and a full stainless exhaust etc.. bits do not fall off this bike, nor will it turn into a fur ball at the first sign of winter (so they tell me )

A good friend has the SV1000 and having ridden it I can tell you that both bikes obviously have a similar character what with both having a big "V" twin motor.
However the Suzuki feels a bit more revvy (if that makes sense) but doesn't have the pull of the Falco, It feels flat in comparison. The handling on both bikes in std trim is very good (but you can make the Falco handle superbly with not a lot of investment) the brakes on the Suzuki leave a lot to be desired (IMHO) though, no initial bite and little feel in comparison to the Falco

What seperates both bikes in my opinion is that the Suzuki has no soul, simple as that. It's a nice bike which goes well and feels nice but left me feeling nothing, I wouldn't look back at the Suzuki. The same cannot be said of the Falco. the bike does seems to form a bond with you, it has masses of character and after riding it you feel a real sense of satisfaction. Oh and it's great looking and your mates won't have one, dare to be different? or run with the masses?

The choice is yours but here is not the place for a totally unbiased opinion. We love our Falco's here (warts n'all) In fact it's probably worth buying one just to be part of this community (we should charge!)

F9

HowardQ · #5 Post by **HowardQ** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:23 pm

Falco9 wrote:We love our Falco's here (warts n'all) In fact it's probably worth buying one just to be part of this community (we should charge!)
F9

Sorry Shrek but Falco9 has not been really honest.
What's all this about warts n'all? Ive had mine more than 2 1/2 years and I certainly haven't found any warts yet! Worst fault I've had is a faulty rear brake switch, pin stuck in, but I do ride the bike all year round. My previous 3 bikes were Hondas and there's nothing in it build wise, Falco has been more reliable but possibly a little bit more rust showing on odd bolts but nothing in it really. Odd standard things not perfect, like iffy side stand and rear shock that's a bit cheap and iffy after about 10k to 15K miles but we'll soon help you sort them!
Falco would come before the Suzuki any time, other earlier comments are right, it has much more character. I've had dozens of bikes and this is best ever. Don't just believe us, PM me your email and I'll send you a scanned copy of a test in Bike Magazine last year to help you make up your mind.
In the meantime some other bits of light reading for you -

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcaprilia/00falco.html
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSe ... eId=231509
http://www.esportbike.com/news/reviews/ ... falco.html

HowardQ

Aladinsaneuk · #6 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:34 pm

hate to agree with the rest - but - the falco is the best bike i have ever owned - andthat includes my ducati!

perhaps yuou should say where you live m8 - then one of us can put you on to where a test ride may be available

Pierre · #7 Post by **Pierre** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:06 am

My cousins SV1000 is in my garage and my opinion is that its 'ok' Been 100% reliable so far, he loves the auto-choke and says the lights are the best he's ever used on a bike. But to me its just a half-naked suzuki.

Also in my garage is a TL1000. Now thats a different kettle of uncontrolable fish. Styling reminds me of a big fat whale but in a menacing way

Again half faired and the rear suspensions flawed but it just looks and sounds about 20x better than the SV and was the most powerful vtwin you could buy in its day

Then theres the falco next to them and i have to say I'm slighlty biased. byased. byassed. I'll just say that the chances of parking next to another are pretty slim but when you do I'd like to bet that the owner will speak. Chances of that with a 'zuki - not much. The names a bit gay though so if anyone asks I say I have an aprilia thou'

So in conclusion would i buy a SV -no , would I buy a TL -possibly , would I buy a falco -no, I've already got 2 and its getting out of hand

Syltiz · #8 Post by **Syltiz** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:54 am

Pierre wrote:My cousins SV1000 is in my garage and my opinion is that its 'ok' Been 100% reliable so far, he loves the auto-choke and says the lights are the best he's ever used on a bike. But to me its just a half-naked suzuki.

Also in my garage is a TL1000. Now thats a different kettle of uncontrolable fish. Styling reminds me of a big fat whale but in a menacing way Again half faired and the rear suspensions flawed but it just looks and sounds about 20x better than the SV and was the most powerful vtwin you could buy in its day

Then theres the falco next to them and i have to say I'm slighlty biased. byased. byassed. I'll just say that the chances of parking next to another are pretty slim but when you do I'd like to bet that the owner will speak. Chances of that with a 'zuki - not much. The names a bit gay though so if anyone asks I say I have an aprilia thou'

So in conclusion would i buy a SV -no , would I buy a TL -possibly , would I buy a falco -no, I've already got 2 and its getting out of hand

I think we should have a section just for you peirre and your entertaining posts. Peirre-isms

yello · #9 Post by **yello** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:59 am

I've oft been tempted with the Falco myself. And this thread (and links) is re-wetting my appetite. One of the minor antis for me is the seat height. At 32" it's a tad tall for me. One of the bigger concerns is spares. Wasn't there a problem a whilst back with 'prilla spares? Has that been sorted out now?

D-Rider · #10 Post by **D-Rider** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:15 am

yello wrote:I've oft been tempted with the Falco myself. And this thread (and links) is re-wetting my appetite. One of the minor antis for me is the seat height. At 32" it's a tad tall for me.

Solutions:

1) Enjoy the fun - don't stop - keep your feet up

2) 70s revival .... platform shoes .....

Actually, I seem to remember some people have played about with suspension linkages to drop the ride height. Not sure what that does for the handling - most of us with adjustable shocks jack the back up a bit to quicken the steering.

Be a shame not to get a Falco just because we couldn't solve this ....

Anyone with a lowered Falco able to comment??

Aladinsaneuk · #11 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:23 am

well, I have a 29/30 inside leg - I am about 5'9" tall and i have no problems with the falco if that helps at all....

and go sit on one to make sure that the height is an issue - I was expecting it to be a problem but - was very pleasantly surprised :)

yello · #12 Post by **yello** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:39 am

Cheers guys. It wouldn't put me off in reality. My previous bike had the same seat height and I'd just had to be aware of the camber at traffic lights!

What about the spares situation? Was it ever a problem? Or did I just dream it?

Shrek · #13 Post by **Shrek** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:37 am

Thanks all for the replies, I must admit I do like the looks of the Falco more than the SV. I posted a similar question on the SV forum and whilst I understand that both forums will be biassed towards their own makes, they have been much more vehement expressing their (or their friends) poor experiences with the Falco saying that reliability, dealer backup and servicing costs are a problem. I'll take this with a pinch of salt as I also know a chap with a Mille who has never had a problem and rates his bike very highly, but I also need to consider this point as well. I'll be using the bike all year round and will probably commute on it too (unless I get a winter hack as well) so reliability, servicing cost and dealer backup will be important to me. I also read in one of the recent issues of Bike magazine that a lot of dealers (non Aprilia) wo were questioned about their favourite bikes would not touch Aprilia for similar reasons.

What about essential mods? On the SV forum they reckon the SV needs suspension upgrades as the OEM stuff is very budget and they recommend uprating the fork springs/oil and replacing the rear shock with the unit from the Gixer. Would similar mods be necessary on the Falco. I am also a fan of Renegade having used them on my Sprint ST. Is the airbox from them a good upgrade?

I will definitely look to get a test ride on a Falco as for me it still seems to tick all the right boxes. Can anyone recommend a dealer in the South East. I currently live in Sutton (South London) but will probably move further south towards Horsham in the next few months.

Cheers

Aladinsaneuk · #14 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:03 am

as for spares - http://www.apriliayorkshire.co.uk/catal ... 02000-2003 should give a good clue as to what is available. I know that the companies that I have spoken too seem to be able to get hold of anything, with out too much of a problem

My spannerman is NOT an aprilia dealer, but is a ducati/vtwin specialist - he rather likes working on the aprilas! (Mind you, after working on a ducati I suppose anything is easier!)

Front suspension on the falco is fine - many riders do change the rear shock though - others here have the exact information - I am a noob that has only had my falco for 3 months or so :) Having said that, I have a mille shock sitting here that I hve not put on my bike - not because I have not had the time, but mainly because I don't feel the need for it at the moment - that may change when the weather gets better though ....

HowardQ · #15 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:17 pm

The Sachs rear shock was improved from late 2001 and I ran mine up to 15K or so before changing and it wasn't too bad. Main problems are - no remote gas cylinder, gas is in main shock body which you will see is very close to the exhaust so will overheat with hard use. Also only 2 way adjustment, preload and rebound, but actually it ain't too bad in my view if you wind the preload and damping up a bit.
FIX - Get an RSV Mille shock off ebay, (check different types with us B4 you buy), but early RSV white spring Sachs shock is a direct swap. They crop up on ebay all the time, I got an almost new one for £30 odd pounds.
This gives 4 way adjustment, preload, compression and rebound, plus ride height and has a separate gas cylinder that does not overheat.
Big improvement for little expense, or go for an new Ohlins at around £400 if you're flush.
Front forks are same as Mille and not a major problem although if you fit an Ohlins rear may want to re-valve and change springs for ultimate solution.
If you change the rear shock and increase the ride height you will need to mod the side stand even sooner, again see site, second hand Firestorm or GSXR 600 units come cheap off ebay and are much better with a bit of fettling.
Also a good idea to fit a rear hugger from somebody like NWS to keep road crap off the shock new or old.
If you want to really get the bike to talk to you like a twin should, get some race cans when you can. Could also go with a Rene air box but mine had a simple K&N kit and works fine for me with road legal race cans.
This lot will give you an even bigger smile although you may need to start usin earplugs as the combined noise from the induction and the cans is awesome.
Lots more you can do like with any other bike, most popular is a belly pan, but choice is yours, you really will love the bike. It usually takes a few weeks to get used to after Jap IL 4s, but just gets better after that.
Main thing is it's different and will always get attention as there are not too many around. I'm in my fifties and I also find it much more comfortable than I expected as bars are a bit higher than a Mille. Will still get a bit wristy in town, but much better than a race rep and fine once you speed up and get some air on your chest.

Anyway over to you mate or I'll just go on and on!