revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Buckaroo wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 10:55 pm That's a nice colour for a rim. Didn't imagine it'd be that good.

They're OZ Racing forged aluminium rims (off the R and Factory RSVs) and they're over a kilo lighter than the standard cast Brembo wheels (which aren't that heavy anyway.) The bike changes direction so much easier with them on. Falco riders regard RSV Factory bikes as upgrade kits - you can use the wheels, Ohlins shock and forks, Brembo 4-pad brake calipers, even the swingarm and they bolt straight on...

mangocrazy wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:14 pm

Buckaroo wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 10:55 pm That's a nice colour for a rim. Didn't imagine it'd be that good.

They're OZ Racing forged aluminium rims (off the R and Factory RSVs) and they're over a kilo lighter than the standard cast Brembo wheels (which aren't that heavy anyway.) The bike changes direction so much easier with them on. Falco riders regard RSV Factory bikes as upgrade kits - you can use the wheels, Ohlins shock and forks, Brembo 4-pad brake calipers, even the swingarm and they bolt straight on...

Although reading that...wouldn't it be easier to fit higher bars/lower pegs to the RSV? I'm assuming here that and maybe an engine retune is the biggest difference?

Supermofo wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 10:13 am

mangocrazy wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:14 pm

Buckaroo wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 10:55 pm That's a nice colour for a rim. Didn't imagine it'd be that good.

They're OZ Racing forged aluminium rims (off the R and Factory RSVs) and they're over a kilo lighter than the standard cast Brembo wheels (which aren't that heavy anyway.) The bike changes direction so much easier with them on. Falco riders regard RSV Factory bikes as upgrade kits - you can use the wheels, Ohlins shock and forks, Brembo 4-pad brake calipers, even the swingarm and they bolt straight on...

Although reading that...wouldn't it be easier to fit higher bars/lower pegs to the RSV? I'm assuming here that and maybe an engine retune is the biggest difference?

You've probably just articulated what a lot of potential buyers thought about Aprilia's V60 model range in the early 2000s. The RSV Mille's place in the range was clear - it was a direct competitor to Ducati's 916/996 models. Then you had the Futura, which was aimed squarely at Honda's VFR 750/800 models, even down to the single sided swingarm. So where did the Falco fit in? Too 'soft' to be a supersports bike, too sporty to be a tourer. Aprilia were trying to create a niche that scarcely existed before - a genuinely sporty tourer. This was right up my street but left a lot of punters a bit confused.

I'd suggest that it would be a lot more difficult to soften an RSV (they were fairly uncompromising in terms of ergonomics) than it was to simply bolt on higher-spec parts from an RSV while still maintaining the Falco's more relaxed ergos. So you got the RSV's cornering and braking capabilities in a more user-friendly package. There's no way you could take the missus and luggage to the south of France for 2 weeks on an RSV without initiating divorce proceedings, but we did that with the Falco and we managed it, no sweat. As for the engine, the very first RSV Milles had the same engine as the Falco (but different exhaust). After 2 or 3 years Aprilia uprated the RSV motor, but left the Falco unchanged. I've never found the Falco wanting in terms of power.

Also I think that a lot of Falco owners just like to modify and mess about with their bikes. Guilty as charged, m'Lud...

mangocrazy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 12:08 pm

Supermofo wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 10:13 am

mangocrazy wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:14 pm

They're OZ Racing forged aluminium rims (off the R and Factory RSVs) and they're over a kilo lighter than the standard cast Brembo wheels (which aren't that heavy anyway.) The bike changes direction so much easier with them on. Falco riders regard RSV Factory bikes as upgrade kits - you can use the wheels, Ohlins shock and forks, Brembo 4-pad brake calipers, even the swingarm and they bolt straight on...

Although reading that...wouldn't it be easier to fit higher bars/lower pegs to the RSV? I'm assuming here that and maybe an engine retune is the biggest difference?

You've probably just articulated what a lot of potential buyers thought about Aprilia's V60 model range in the early 2000s. The RSV Mille's place in the range was clear - it was a direct competitor to Ducati's 916/996 models. Then you had the Futura, which was aimed squarely at Honda's VFR 750/800 models, even down to the single sided swingarm. So where did the Falco fit in? Too 'soft' to be a supersports bike, too sporty to be a tourer. Aprilia were trying to create a niche that scarcely existed before - a genuinely sporty tourer. This was right up my street but left a lot of punters a bit confused.

I'd suggest that it would be a lot more difficult to soften an RSV (they were fairly uncompromising in terms of ergonomics) than it was to simply bolt on higher-spec parts from an RSV while still maintaining the Falco's more relaxed ergos. So you got the RSV's cornering and braking capabilities in a more user-friendly package. There's no way you could take the missus and luggage to the south of France for 2 weeks on an RSV without initiating divorce proceedings, but we did that with the Falco and we managed it, no sweat. As for the engine, the very first RSV Milles had the same engine as the Falco (but different exhaust). After 2 or 3 years Aprilia uprated the RSV motor, but left the Falco unchanged. I've never found the Falco wanting in terms of power.

Also I think that a lot of Falco owners just like to modify and mess about with their bikes. Guilty as charged, m'Lud...

Falco vs BMW R1100S ? (or R1150RS?)

Rockburner wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:12 pm

mangocrazy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 12:08 pm

Supermofo wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 10:13 am

Although reading that...wouldn't it be easier to fit higher bars/lower pegs to the RSV? I'm assuming here that and maybe an engine retune is the biggest difference?

You've probably just articulated what a lot of potential buyers thought about Aprilia's V60 model range in the early 2000s. The RSV Mille's place in the range was clear - it was a direct competitor to Ducati's 916/996 models. Then you had the Futura, which was aimed squarely at Honda's VFR 750/800 models, even down to the single sided swingarm. So where did the Falco fit in? Too 'soft' to be a supersports bike, too sporty to be a tourer. Aprilia were trying to create a niche that scarcely existed before - a genuinely sporty tourer. This was right up my street but left a lot of punters a bit confused.

I'd suggest that it would be a lot more difficult to soften an RSV (they were fairly uncompromising in terms of ergonomics) than it was to simply bolt on higher-spec parts from an RSV while still maintaining the Falco's more relaxed ergos. So you got the RSV's cornering and braking capabilities in a more user-friendly package. There's no way you could take the missus and luggage to the south of France for 2 weeks on an RSV without initiating divorce proceedings, but we did that with the Falco and we managed it, no sweat. As for the engine, the very first RSV Milles had the same engine as the Falco (but different exhaust). After 2 or 3 years Aprilia uprated the RSV motor, but left the Falco unchanged. I've never found the Falco wanting in terms of power.

Also I think that a lot of Falco owners just like to modify and mess about with their bikes. Guilty as charged, m'Lud...

Falco vs BMW R1100S ? (or R1150RS?)

In terms of the BMW model range, probably yes. The Beemer weighed significantly more than the Falco and made about 10-15 bhp less, but still a sporty tourer.

It was a great niche that never caught on. I had a Triumph Sprint RS, not as lardy or upright as a Sprint tourer and not as full on as a Daytona 955 but actually a really nice general purpose bike. It's a shame that niche died when everyone wanted a BMW GS. I've always fancied a Falco but worried about spares.

Ian wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 7:49 pm It was a great niche that never caught on. I had a Triumph Sprint RS, not as lardy or upright as a Sprint tourer and not as full on as a Daytona 955 but actually a really nice general purpose bike. It's a shame that niche died when everyone wanted a BMW GS. I've always fancied a Falco but worried about spares.

Yes, agree - it was just what I wanted at that time, and apart from needing a more relaxed riding position these days it still ticks all the boxes. As for spares, I'd say the Falco spares situation is no better and no worse that that for any 20-odd year old bike. A lot of spares for my old VFR are NLA and some of those are parts that are bound to fail sooner or later, like the mild steel exhaust collector box.

Ultimate Parts in Nottingham have never failed me even when I've wanted something pretty obsure.

My mate Clare traded her Firestorm in for a Falco back in the day.

So for me, Falco's will always be girls bikes (iirc she chopped the Falco in for a CB1000R like Tiepin had, also a girls bike).

mangocrazy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 8:26 pm Ultimate Parts in Nottingham have never failed me even when I've wanted something pretty obsure.

I never knew they were there, Ruddington is pretty close.

I see they do Laverda spares, I've always lusted after those hand grenade 90s 650 twins. Must resist temptation and rebuild the garage full I already have !

KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 8:31 pm My mate Clare traded her Firestorm in for a Falco back in the day.

So for me, Falco's will always be girls bikes (iirc she chopped the Falco in for a CB1000R like Tiepin had, also a girls bike).

Falcos are equal opportunity motorcycles, and promote equality, inclusivity and diversity on road and track.

mangocrazy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:02 pm

KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 8:31 pm My mate Clare traded her Firestorm in for a Falco back in the day.

So for me, Falco's will always be girls bikes (iirc she chopped the Falco in for a CB1000R like Tiepin had, also a girls bike).

Falcos are equal opportunity motorcycles, and promote equality, inclusivity and diversity on road and track.

Not in America they don't

OK, well I've flip-flopped back to the LC and not only managed to locate my Big Boy Bravery pants but also (and more importantly) my welding blanket. Never weld without one is my motto especially when you're a) inept at welding as I am and b) using a stick welder. Before anything else, I had to figure a way to get the LC on the Skylift in the wheelie position, having never used that position before. It's at times like this that I am so glad I shelled out for a Skylift a few years back. It's worth at least double what I paid for in convenience and comfort, not to mention making light of jobs that would be near to impossible without it. Here's a pic of Elsie with her front in the air...



I'd attacked the top bearing race before putting the LC in the wheelie position, after having covered everything forward of the seat in welding blanket prior to firing up the welder. I figured that I'd practice on the nominally easier top race before contorting myself to get at the bottom one. Apart from getting the welding rod stuck to the work umpteen times I managed to get enough weld on the top race for it to be removed with a pair of pliers once it had cooled down. So the theory worked, at least. Then it was time for the bottom race...

With the LC in the position above I sat on a stool underneath the headstock, torch in one hand (so I could see what I was aiming at) and stick welder in the other. It was a really uncomfortable position and my heavy breathing was fogging up the inside of the window on the welding helmet, so I had to stop every few seconds to wipe away the condensation. It was proper hit and miss stuff, with the consequence that I left at least one blob of weld on the headstock inner - precisely the opposite of what I was trying to achieve. But eventually I managed to get enough pigeon shit weld on the bottom race for it to move when I jabbed a screwdriver where the headstock inner met the top of the bottom race. I then followed this gap around the race, twisting the screwdriver as I went until eventually the bottom race fell out on the shed floor. That was quite a relief, I can tell you. This is what top and bottom races looked like after removal, top on left, bottom on right:



When I had a closer look at the welding blanket, which I'd cable tied to the headstock, I was very glad I'd used one. At one point during the saga I did notice a blob of weld burning a hole in one of the layers. That could easily have been a component or my glove/sleeve. This is what the welding blanket looked like:



Like I say, it served its purpose and I wouldn't do any stick welding without one. One thing I forgot to say was I disconnected the battery before going anywhere near the welding gear. So all I have to do now is to take the steering stem to a responsible adult to get the old bearing removed and the new one fitted, clean up where the top and bottom head races will be fitted and then fit them. But I've had enough excitement for one day - those are jobs for future Mango.

I think the races are probably not salvageable

Buckaroo wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 7:06 pm I think the races are probably not salvageable

KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 8:31 pm My mate Clare traded her Firestorm in for a Falco back in the day.

So for me, Falco's will always be girls bikes (iirc she chopped the Falco in for a CB1000R like Tiepin had, also a girls bike).

A mate of mine was looking quizzically at a very tall, lairy biker in wales once cos he got off a red blackbird. The big bloke looked at my (not at all big) mate and said "why you looking at me like that?" - my mate replied with "Just surprised you're riding a girl's bike - the barmaid at our pub has one of those!"

I dropped in at my local (and most excellent) Motorcycle emporium (Manhattan Motorcycles on the A61 Chesterfield Road) to leave the steering stem with them to have the old bearing removed and the new one fitted. As we were chatting they got me thinking that a hybrid approach (taper roller for the bottom bearing, ball race for the top) could be the way forward. The bottom bearing takes the lion's share of the load anyway, and using a standard (and lower profile) ball race at the top should alleviate the problem of only having a few threads engaging on the steering stem.

So when I got home it was on to Fowler's web site to order the OE races - £28 delivered. Ebay provided the ball bearings for a couple of quid, so all the bits are now on order and awaiting delivery. Then it was into the shed to press home the lower race ready for when MM have fitted the bearing to the steering stem. So small steps, but it's still only January and no weather for riding a motorcycle.

I aint not never been to Manhattan. I did ring them once and they were very nice when I was looking for a 2nd hand Bullet, but they didn't have one in.

I commute on the A61, but I get on/off it at Meadowhead, which is a fair bit from the shoppe

I work very close to Steel City Classics, but I've never been. They're a spin off from CMC I think.

Manhattan are a proper old school bike shop, a world away from the big chains and all the better for it. Very friendly and very helpful. They stock the full range of Putoline products which is encouraging.

Never been to Steel City Classics. I'll pop out there one day when the weather cheers up.

mangocrazy wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 7:07 pm but it's still only January and no weather for riding a motorcycle.

Oh,I dunno.

Skub wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 8:35 pm

mangocrazy wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 7:07 pm but it's still only January and no weather for riding a motorcycle.

Oh,I dunno.

If you fitted a sail to it you could go windsurfing