Aprilia SL 1000 Falco
Shortly before New Years in Italy, we were offered a fleeting platonic contact with a newcomer from the Venetian periphery. We felt it in the spring, at the Grobnik autodrome, which we talked about in the ninth issue of the Auto magazine.
First impressions were extremely favorable and informative, despite some doubts, as Aprilia does not have a very long tradition in the development of heavy motorcycles. This Italian home with an extremely strong image is the second largest among motorcyclists in Europe, but in terms of width and technical side of products, it is definitely the leader if we list all motorcycles from 50 to 1000 cc and add all names and races ... cars for GP and Superbike.
A slightly pessimistic view of the world expects Aprilia's technicians to make a fuss. Or at least stubbornly swam against the current. Due to too little experience, I don't think there will be a mistake or hot blood. Falco showed himself in the best light.
Only the space, that is, the race track, was not the most suitable for exploring the motorcycle in the light that the designers presented in Noal, where Aprilia has its roots and spaces. The brand is globalizing, opening up completely to the world, and given its athletic performance, it's no wonder they are following such effective paths.
Just look, they have assembled the Mille sports model and already in the second year of participation in the world championships they win and defeat competitors with many years of experience. It can be concluded that the product and management are top-notch. One gets the feeling that President Bedgio has gathered around him shamans who are copra in such a way that they always succeed. As I said, people and their initial knowledge are important.
Same platform, different cars, does that sound familiar? The recipe was introduced by the automotive industry. This is how Falco was created, a derivative of the RSV Mille sports car. No, no, they didn't just rip off the plastic. The interventions were more radical.
The base, that is, the engine, is the same. Only that they installed it, if we can so superficially call the new program of the electronics of the ignition and injection system and some tiny digging of the timing of the fuel supply and combustion. The two-cylinder engine, which is open at 60 degrees and still has two vibration damping shafts, produces 118 hp on the crankshaft. at a fairly moderate 9500 rpm.
Let's say the rear tire still has over 100 hp. This is enough for the police to measure you 240 km per hour. Half of the armor allows you to easily cut the neck.
However, the point of such a motorcycle is not to set records, the RSV Mille is more prepared for this. For this machine, which is designed to be enjoyed by two people, spices are important: 97 Nm of torque at 7000 rpm, pulsating twin-cylinder traction, a fairly modest weight and enough comfort for a pleasant sway on country roads.
This whole hymn, of course, is the author's work, the passenger (may) think differently. Thus, the confirmed life partner of our master photographer believed that the sensations behind were "completely gone."
The lucky girl didn’t even know she was missing something, but she would have stayed at home because I, the undersigned, lost my passenger’s club after the first kilometer of riding on a test bike, which also passed the small item cover. The stick opens in the direction of travel and does not fix well, it was blown away by a gust of wind, and we found that it was all peeling off.
The beautiful and very good aluminum frame of the RSV model is replaced by an aluminium-magnesium alloy double box frame, which optically defines the bike's shape. A weight distribution of 49 percent at the front and 51 percent at the rear suggests a more touring design, which is also reflected in the softer suspension (Showa USD front-adjustable forks, Sachs progressive suspension rear monoshock) that is softer. absorbs the bumps of everyday roads. The brakes are still racing - Brembo Oro, but they do not require the correct dosage in any case. They make you feel good.
So is the Falco an all-around bike? This is if a potential buyer is looking into a circle of stripped down or more sporty bikes. It is not demanding on driving, it is well controlled, and together with the two-cylinder character it is quite friendly to the driver. Falco is a motorcycle that allows you to enjoy the ride without the driver having to work hard to tame the machine.
Aprilia SL 1000 Falco
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
engine: 2-cylinder Rotax, 60 degree angle - 4-stroke - dry sump - liquid cooling - two AVDC vibration damping shafts - bore and stroke 97 × 67 mm - displacement 5 cm997 - maximum power: 62 kW (3 hp) at 86 rpm - maximum torque 8 Nm at 118 rpm - fuel injection, intake manifolds f 9250 mm - 95 speed gearbox - oil bath clutch with pneumatic torque damper - chain
Chassis: aluminium/magnesium dual bracket frame box – USD Showa f 43mm adjustable front fork, 120mm travel – APS progressive rear center shock, 130mm travel
brakes: front 2 × floating disc Brembo Oro f 320 mm with 4-piston caliper – rear disc f 220 mm with two-piston caliper
Wheels and tires: front wheel 3 × 50 with 17/120 ZR 70 tire – rear wheel 17 × 6 with 00/17 ZR 180 tire
Wholesale apples: length 2050 mm - wheelbase 1415 mm - seat height from the ground 815 mm - handlebar height from the ground 888 mm - fuel tank 21 l / reserve 4 l - weight (without liquids, factory) 190 kg
dinner: 8.345.43 122 EUR (Avto Triglav doo, Dunajska c. 01, (588/34 20 XNUMX), Lj.)
Mitya Gustinchich
Photo: Urosh Potocnik.
Basic data
Base model price: 8.345.43 EUR (Avto Triglav doo, Dunajska c. 122, (01/588 34 20), Lj.) €
Technical information
engine: 2-cylinder Rotax, 60 degree angle - 4-stroke - dry sump - liquid cooling - two shafts for vibration damping AVDC - bore and stroke 97 × 67,5 mm - displacement 997,62 cm3 - maximum power: 86,8 kW (118 hp) at 9250 / min - maximum torque 95,6 Nm at 7000 rpm - fuel injection, intake manifolds f 51 mm - 6-speed gearbox - oil bath clutch with air damper - chain
brakes: front 2 × floating disc Brembo Oro f 320 mm with 4-piston caliper – rear disc f 220 mm with two-piston caliper
Weight: length 2050 mm - wheelbase 1415 mm - seat height from the ground 815 mm - handlebar height from the ground 888 mm - fuel tank 21 l / reserve 4 l - weight (without liquids, factory) 190 kg
