Major bike dilemma

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hornetrider · #1 Post by **hornetrider** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:24 am

Ok so I've been thinking about things since getting back from my tour in sunny climes. I have the Falco obviously, and a Hornet which frankly, I no longer use and should sell. I love that bike but it's been SORN for 2 years now as really whenever I fancied a ride out it had to be the Falco. So, I'll be selling the Hornet for around a grand, maybe a smidge more.

My dilemma strings from the tour, and the fact that I laid the Falco gently down on it's right hand side due to stopping and overbalancing on an uneven road surface at the end of a long, tiring hot day. Luckily I only added a few scratches to the RHS mid fairing and some more to the bellypan. The top box saved the rest of the bike, including my shiny new SL Carbons thank god!! As the bike had fallen off the sidestand on that side a few years ago no real damage was done.

However, I do realise now that touring on a machine brings risks and hence possible damage and definitely wear and tear. So I've got to thinking about having two bikes, one for 'Sunday best' and one for touring. The touring bike I wouldn't mind having the odd scratch here and there as it would be, well, my touring bike and I would accept that.

Now - I would rate the Falco as being an exceptional touring machine. With the setup I have (Helibars, heated grips, Ohlins, OZs, Givi box, Bagster tank bag) it made the perfect touring companion. Uber comfortable and simply amazing on the continental twisties. Also, we all did pillion tests on the other bikes and my mates rated the Falco pillion to be the best of the lot (against a Sprint, VFR800 and R1100S). But - its also a great 'Sunday' machine as well, for all the above reasons!!

So my dilemma is I've basically been thinking of adding another Aprilia to the garage - be that a Mille or Tuono for Sunday best, or a Fut/Capo as a touring bike. I want another V60 as I'm super impressed with the power delivery, exclusivity and general reliability/ease of servicing.

If I got a Mille/Tuono then it would have more power, and that is appealing (says the devil on my shoulder), however I don't think I can 'relegate' the Falco to touring bike. However if I got a Fut/Capo I fear they are too touring orientated and would compromise my fun in the twisties when I got there.

Am I insane? What would you do?

HisNibbs · #2 Post by **HisNibbs** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:45 am

I don't think the Fut or Capo would be too much of a compromise in the twisties. My mate on his Capo can leave most riders on sports bikes quite easily.
However there are some real nice bargain RSV-R's out there and that would be my prefference.

In reality in a couple of years when the kids are gone, I'm planning to get a Guzzi to tour with the missses and keep the Falco on which I can get a little extream at times, as my one up ride.

By the way my mate is selling his Capo at a good price, one care ful owner never been thrashed...... etc.

Dusty · #3 Post by **Dusty** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:55 am

You need 2 Falcos! One set up for touring, and one set up for scratching. That way, the riding transition is minimal and it would be easy for them to swap roles if necessary as you will have commonality of parts.

#4 Post by **mangocrazy** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:05 am

Dusty wrote:You need 2 Falcos! One set up for touring, and one set up for scratching. That way, the riding transition is minimal and it would be easy for them to swap roles if necessary as you will have commonality of parts.

Laydeez and Gennulmen, we have a winnah!

Exactly right; keep one Falco set up as a touring option, and pimp the other one out with all the go-faster goodies you've always wanted. That's what I'd do; that way you keep the exclusivity of the Falco, but broaden its scope even further. And as Falcos are such insanely good value, it shouldn't break the bank, either...

jayboy · #5 Post by **jayboy** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:18 am

Nah, come on, surely not!
I've ben tyoing with the idea of buying something else aswell, but to use as a work commuter, all sorts has gone through my head, even a supermoto of sorts so I can get it filthy and go and get a bit muddy on the winter weekends.
I'd personally keep the Falco for scratching and performance and get something a bit boring-ish or more suited to touring? Shaft drive?
All down to personal choice, but for me, I'd never want 2 of the same, that's just OTT - one would always be compared to the other and you'd want 2 sets of every upgrade aswell!

Variety is the spice of life. But why not save a fortune and put some touring bits on the Hornet - or is it lacking grunt for that?

wavey · #6 Post by **wavey** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 1:06 pm

My Mate had a Capo a while ago, not as powerful as a Falco but still very quick.
Although he could out pace his mate's R1150GS, he got caught in the twisties cos of the soft front end, so he swapped for a R1150GS. He still says if it wasn't for the forks he would still have it.

I think if you got yourself a RSV or Tuono, the falco would be the tourer.

Me, I keep one Falco and use it for everything.

bigun · #7 Post by **bigun** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:51 pm

RSV-R without a doubt. I'm not biased of course!

ReggieGasket · #8 Post by **ReggieGasket** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:00 pm

Forget about the decision of which two bikes to have for a sec. Can you say what you want from your Sunday Best bike? Or did I miss that?

blenks · #9 Post by **blenks** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:29 pm

I had a Tuono from new in 2004 and it was THE maddest thing I have ever ridden. Torque on tap, comfortable, reliable, masses of power, looks fantastic and is an Aprilia. Plus it won't break your back to ride. I had to get rid of it or divorce was on the cards. She almost fell off the back no end of times. I would have had another but I have been repeatedly warned off by the missus. Definately the Tuono would get my vote every time. The possible only down side is that they tend to hold there price better than a Mille so you'd expect to pay a little more for one.

When you open the throttle in that riding position it feels like your arms are being pulled off. God I miss that bike!!!!!

fastasfcuk · #10 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:17 pm

i would love two bikes only coz i could'nt get rid of the falco.but it would have to be another v twin. millie, sv, sp2 firestorm or the tuono.
oh for six numbers.

sabestian · #11 Post by **sabestian** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:34 am

I've always tried to get one bike fit all the bills. If I had a chance to own a couple (after the divorce?

), the second one would be drastically different. Supermoto? Valkyrie? H-D?????

Samray · #12 Post by **Samray** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:46 am

What Jayboy said ...... too many bikes, too little time.

D-Rider · #13 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:42 pm

If you're going for a second Aprilia, then I don't think I'd go for the MilleR - with the upgrades you've got, I don't think it would be sufficiently different to the Falco.

I've never ridden one but if you want something that will tour - particularly 2-up - I'd be very tempted to try out the Futura.

..... that was until the suggestion of 2 Falco was made. I think that's an inspired idea. Set up fairly differently, they will be suited to quite different tasks BUT you can acquire a common set of spares and rob one for bits (temporarily) if you urgently need something for the bike you are needing to ride.

hornetrider · #14 Post by **hornetrider** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:38 am

Another Falco would be ridiculous! I never buy the same thing twice, life is too short.

A Futura is appealing as I don't think I have the heart to relegate the Falco to touring duties. What it will mean is I'm going to have to look into chipping and power commandering the Falco in the spring

ReggieGasket · #15 Post by **ReggieGasket** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:36 pm

If the Falco is the sunday best, I'd be tempted to try something very differnt - either smaller, lighter or a trials riding position. Perhaps a Suzuki DL1000 (or the APrilia equivalent what's it called?) or DL650, Versys, BMW GS. Depends if you're after big mileage though. I had a K100RT over the past 2 winters which was very likeable - oh the shame of it...