oh crikey, I've just bought a Falco........

Chat for Falco Owners.

Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators

Message
Author
bulgarianfalco
Despatch Rider
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:45 pm
Location: bulgaria

oh crikey, I've just bought a Falco........

#1 Post by bulgarianfalco » Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:26 pm

well, finally had a rush of blood and liked the look of this one.........whaddya reckon?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... fresh=true

User avatar
Samray
Double World Champion
Posts: 6234
Joined: Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:36 pm
Location: Riding round with Sheene and Simoncelli

#2 Post by Samray » Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:37 pm

Got a feeling we recognise that bike.
Not the colour I'd have chosen, but certainly looks as though you have a bargain. :smt001
In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.

User avatar
HowardQ
World Champion
Posts: 3921
Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:20 pm
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

#3 Post by HowardQ » Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:46 pm

It looks good to me mate, welcome to the club!
HowardQ

Take a ride on the Dark Side :smt004 :smt096 :smt004

2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P

User avatar
blinkey501
World Champion
Posts: 3495
Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 6:28 pm
Location: near doncaster

#4 Post by blinkey501 » Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:39 pm

:smt002 i personally like the blue one, it is very nice and with the extras i think you have done well :smt003
Tolerance will be our undoing.

User avatar
D-Rider
Admin
Admin
Posts: 15560
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:09 pm
Location: Coventry

#5 Post by D-Rider » Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:46 pm

Nice ..... and welcome to the forum :smt006
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein

User avatar
GregD-UK
SuperBike Racer
SuperBike Racer
Posts: 825
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:21 am
Location: North East - Sunderland

#6 Post by GregD-UK » Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:10 pm

Hidy Hi,

Guess blue is ok, as long as it's a falco :smt002

Some worthwhile mod's have been done for you, saves you time, dosh, and discomfort....

Enjoy the bike and forum.
My warranty is the clear/smoked tail lights around the corner!!

User avatar
MartDude
Admin
Admin
Posts: 2857
Joined: Tue May 26, 2009 11:36 am
Location: South Shropshire

#7 Post by MartDude » Sun Jul 03, 2011 7:28 am

:smt006
It flies sideways through time
It's an electric line
To your zodiac sign
I've got a Black and Silver Machine!

User avatar
mangocrazy
Admin
Admin
Posts: 3944
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:24 pm
Location: Sheffield, UK

#8 Post by mangocrazy » Sun Jul 03, 2011 4:55 pm

Excellent - one of the rare blue ones. I really like the blue colour scheme; ignore any negative comments from visually-challenged forum members..

What does look interesting is the colour-matched blue spring on the Ohlins shock. Looks like someone's gone to a bit of effort to customise the bike.

Welcome and enjoy!

<edit> Having just read the eBay listing, I notice it comes with a spare set of Showa forks. If you're interested in selling these off, let me know.

bulgarianfalco
Despatch Rider
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:45 pm
Location: bulgaria

#9 Post by bulgarianfalco » Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:44 pm

well, it arrived here in BG finally and once I'd fixed the fuel leak from the bolt-in panel on the underside of the tank, took it for a ride..............

errr, not what I was expecting! What have I done?

After my TDM, it feels like my chin is on the front mudguard - I can't believe this is classed as a sports tourer by anyone! Really really uncomfortable for me and pillion.........

However, power, handling and braking are wonderful, nice low-down power too with good fuelling. Plus the fairing is much better than the TDM with no nodding from the buffeting, so there is hope and it's certainly better the faster you go.

Anyway, this is only the first 40 miles and I won't be surprised if it grows on me - for now I'm looking at a course of yoga for flexibility and an upper body workout for the pain on the arms........

User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#10 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:59 pm

Don't grip the bars - rest your hands on them!

Check the brake and gear levers are set at the right angle for you

Position your self in the saddle - then lean forward.....

Finally bear with it - trust us it will grow on you


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


User avatar
flatlander
Eprom Test Pilot (Stig)
Posts: 3097
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:06 pm
Location: cheshire

they're right you know

#11 Post by flatlander » Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:59 pm

I have arthritis quite badly so i can see where you are coming from but as said above makes a big difference getting a good flexed arm position and getting saddled up well. I find sitting quite forward works best for me

I have only had mine a short while but Have been doing 80 miles a day and apart from the odd ache from carrying the pc in a rucksack getting a good positon early on has made all the difference stick with it sir!
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock

User avatar
D-Rider
Admin
Admin
Posts: 15560
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:09 pm
Location: Coventry

#12 Post by D-Rider » Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:15 pm

bulgarianfalco wrote: After my TDM, it feels like my chin is on the front mudguard - I can't believe this is classed as a sports tourer by anyone!
That's probably because it isn't a sports tourer !

The SL in SL1000 stands for Sports Light (or the Italian equivalent that happens to start with the same letters)

Ill informed magazines often put in in their sports tourer categories as they can't pigeon hole it - not having an SL category.
TBH the Futura is more sport tourer - in a similar vein to the VFR.

You'll get used to it - and if you don't, talk to Aladinsaneuk about putting the clipons above the top yoke.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein

User avatar
mangocrazy
Admin
Admin
Posts: 3944
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:24 pm
Location: Sheffield, UK

#13 Post by mangocrazy » Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:45 pm

bulgarianfalco wrote:errr, not what I was expecting! What have I done?

After my TDM, it feels like my chin is on the front mudguard - I can't believe this is classed as a sports tourer by anyone! Really really uncomfortable for me and pillion.........
I think you'll get the hang of it very quickly. It may feel llike the bars are around the front wheel spindle initially, but it's actually an all-day comfortable riding position. I toured through France with my wife last year on the Falco and it was great - no complaints from the pillion and none from me.

The big thing with the Falco riding position is you don't get battered by the wind like you do on a TDM or other more upright riding position.

I'd suggest trying it for a bit longer and make sure that control levers are set so there's no ergonomic issues. With a pillion on board it might be an idea to back off the compression damping. Ohlins units have a reputation for being a bit firm to someone who isn't used to them.

User avatar
flatlander
Eprom Test Pilot (Stig)
Posts: 3097
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:06 pm
Location: cheshire

now theres an idea

#14 Post by flatlander » Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:48 pm

Aladinsaneuk about putting the clipons above the top yoke
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock

User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#15 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:07 pm

Who me?

And yes that is an option


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


Post Reply