Aprilia SL 1000 Falco Make Model. | Aprilia SL 1000 Falco | Year | 2004 - 05 | Engine | Four stroke, longitudinal 60°V twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder | Capacity | 997.6 cc / 60.9 in | Bore x Stroke | 97 x 67.5 mm | Compression Ratio | 10.8:1 | Cooling System | Liquid cooled | Induction | Fuel injection. | Ignition | Digital electronic, two spark plugs per cylinder | Starting | Electric | Max Power | 86.7 kW / 118 hp @ 9250 rpm | Max Torque | 95.6 Nm / 9.75 kgf-m / 70.5 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm | Transmission | 6 Speed | Final Drive | Chain | Front Suspension | ?43mm Showa upside-down fork | Front Wheel travel | 120 mm / 4.7 in | Rear Suspension | Swing arm in aluminium alloy, progressive linkage with APS system. Sachs hydraulic shock absorber, adjustable in rebound and preload. | Rear Wheel travel | 130 mm / 5.1 in | Front Brakes | 2 x ?320 mm discs, 4 piston calipers | Rear Brakes | Single ?220 mm disc, 2 piston caliper | Front Tyre | 120/70 ZR17 | Rear Tyre | 180/55 ZR17 | Seat Height | 736 mm / 29.0 in | Dry Weight | 190 kg / 419 lbs | Fuel Capacity | 21 liters / 5.5 US gal | Fuel Reserve | 4 liters / 1.1 US gal | Consumption Average | 5.6 L/100 km / 17.7 km/l / 41.6 US mpg | Standing ? Mile | 11.8 sec / 201 km/h / 125 mph | Top Speed | 249.6 km/h / 156 mph | Review | Motorcycle News | The Aprilia SL1000 Falco is a generally well-regarded, half-faired, ‘street sports’ version of RSV which never quite took off in the way it could have. Unique twin beam frame and slightly detuned V-twin made it more streetable, although still very much a sportster. The Aprilia Falco is often overlooked so is a potential used bargain.
Ride Quality & Brakes The Aprilia SL1000 Falco's frame was an all-new double twin spar designed to show off the engine. With geometry bordering on the sporting it allows the Aprilia SL1000 Falco to change direction quickly while maintaining stability. Where the RSV is tall and uncompromising, the Falco has a lower seat and less extreme footpeg positions. The result is that you sit 'in' the Falco, rather than 'on' it, which makes for better cornering with confidence. Engine The Aprilia SL1000 Falco uses a detuned version of the 60° V-twin engine from the Mille sportster. Less powerful it may be, but the Aprilia SL1000 Falco will still reach 155mph and wheelie when the throttle's wrenched in anger. Broader power comes from a twin silencer exhaust and remapped fuel injection, which crops the peak power slightly but bolsters bottom and mid-range.
Build Quality & Reliability Aprilia has something of a reputation, in terms of build quality and durability at least, as an ‘Italian Honda’, and the Aprilia SL1000 Falco is as good example as any of that. The standard of components, fit and finish is high and there have been few reliability issues. Instead, the biggest blackmark against Aprilia in recent years has been patchy dealer back-up and spares availability
Value Less is sometimes more. By making its roadster less extreme than the RSV Mille sportster it's based on Aprilia broadened its appeal and produced a motorcycle that's both easier and more fun to ride. The Aprilia SL1000 Falco is a bit of a wolf’s in sheep’s clothing (and price) too. If you like the rather subdued looks, the Aprilia SL1000 Falco is a damned good value all-rounder with a sporting edge.
Equipment Angular styling and fairing give the Aprilia SL1000 Falco a unique look while providing adequate weather protection and pillion accommodation. Large grab handles mean an easy time for passengers. Other components shared with the Aprilia Falco's more sporting sibling are the brakes, and they are just as sensitive and powerful as on the out-and-out sportster. In all, far posher than its sober looks suggest. |