Aprilia Falco

[Gio]

Just a quick appraisal, I'll do a full blown one next month with pics, after I've got new boots on it and the suspension suited to me.

How fast is this bike! I can see points on my licence if I'm not careful.

The engine is lovely, it pulls very cleanly from idle to the rev limiter and that comes way to fast for me, so you need one eye on the road and the other watching the revs as its almost in "blink and you're there" fast.

After removing the baffle from the xaust, its got a deeper sound.

Gear box is a bit stiff when putting it into neutral when stopped, but this doesn't occur if you do it just before stopping, (maybe its me?) I like the way it snicks into each gear as you change up or down and I've yet to find a false neutral (its nothing like a Honda or BM box that way).

Plus points are, its a very stable, its comfortable (no I don't get my nuts trapped like some have said). Position on the bike is a bit odd at first as I'm almost over the screen when pressing on, but I like it now. Its very easy to tip into bends, but as the rear tyre is now getting quite worn I'm not going to try harder.

Negative points are, the side stand, its hard work trying to put it down, so there's a mod that needs doing soon. The crash bungs can catch the top of my boots if I don't think about it when starting from standstill. Mirrors could be a bit less vibey, as at anything over 70 they blur, which could be bad news if plods behind you and you don't spot him.

Overall, this bike does what you want it to, for me thats getting from A to B in comfort, on something that doesn't look like any other bike and its fun.

Aprilia need to make another bike like it.

[yello]

Aprilia need to make another bike like it.

I think there's more than one.

[Fausto]

Gear box is a bit stiff when putting it into neutral when stopped, but this doesn't occur if you do it just before stopping, (maybe its me?) I like the way it snicks into each gear as you change up or down and I've yet to find a false neutral (its nothing like a Honda or BM box that way).

I have trouble finding neutral when it's cold but this disappears once the oil is good and warm

[Falcopops]

I had to make a subtle adjustment using the link arm lock-nuts to eliminate this problem.

[D-Rider]

I have trouble finding neutral when it's cold but this disappears once the oil is good and warm

Same for me - but so much easier than on any other bike I've owned (all Hondas). What's more, no false neutrals.


I'm in the habit of clicking into neutral before I stop in any case so it's seldom a problem.

[Fausto]

I'm in the habit of clicking into neutral before I stop in any case so it's seldom a problem.

Tut Tut Coasting out of gear. naughty !!

[Gio]

I'm in the habit of clicking into neutral before I stop in any case so it's seldom a problem.

Tut Tut Coasting out of gear. naughty !!

Why? I've even seen plod do it.

[D-Rider]

I'm in the habit of clicking into neutral before I stop in any case so it's seldom a problem.

Tut Tut Coasting out of gear. naughty !!

Only just before I stop - not half a mile up the road!

BTW do you remember those old Saab 96s that had a coast (freewheel) mode on them ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_96