Joining the "club" [Archive] - ApriliaForum sponsored by AF1 Racing, inc.

kevdoyle

03-07-2003, 05:18 PM

It looks like I finally went and did it! I have been trying to snap up a leftover gray '02 falco for a couple of weeks and finally seem to have a deal. (Some of you may have read my Maximum motorsports rant) The dealer is just outside of Burlington ,VT and will arrange shipping which was a big help.
I'm having the RSC pipes and chips installed but I'll wait and see for the other mods. The boards have been a great help in getting a sense of what the existing owners have done with and think of their bikes.
I'm psyched, even though I've been riding for over thirty years I still get off on the feeling of getting a new toy. This will be my first Aprilia, owned nothing but ducs since '78, from what I hear I am in for a treat.

Kevin
'95 M900
'00 Cagiva GC
'02 Falco on the way

cstarrett

03-07-2003, 07:38 PM

Good call on the Carbon Pipes. They sound great. I had to put the stock pipes on while a replacement was on order. There was definitely something missing without the "enhanced" sound of the Carbon Pipes.

As far as additional mods...

Get yourself some frame sliders. They could save you a couple of thousand dollars if you drop it in the driveway.

Go down a tooth on the front sprocket. This will be the cheapest, yet most satisfying, modification that you make.

There is a list of additional modification that you can make. Do these soon for a cost of about $100.

I can't remember from your previous posts if you have ridden the Falco or not ... but in comparison to Ducati's. I would say that it is most like a SuperSport with a 916 motor. The nice thing though is that it will start every time you ask it to and parts won't manage to fall off for no reason.

Before I get lambasted, I am not slamming Ducati's... I love them and they are pure motorcycle porn. One of my ridding buddies just traded his RSVR for a 998. We have to say a prayer every time he wants to ride the 998 so that it will start and nothing falls off.

ZeroTwoRSV

03-07-2003, 07:43 PM

Hey, congrats on the new purchase. I just purchased an '02 RSV from Pete at Maximum. I travelled the extra 1 1/2 hours to get an outrageous price. The deal is done except for the pick-up (maybe next weekend). After reading your rant, I'm a little troubled though. It just makes me want to go get her tomorrow. Now if the weather would just cooperate with me, , , , , , , ,,

Anyway, good luck with the bird!

Katch11

03-07-2003, 07:53 PM

On of the best mods (cheap that is) is the Evoluzion License Plate relocator thing. It looks so much better (and as we all know-if it looks better, it goes faster). Anyway, I was real impressed with the instructions and the ease of installation.

Steve "Katch"
another '02 silver one
Acrapovic pipes, K&N, plate relocator, g-force alarm

exdukenut

03-07-2003, 08:11 PM

Wecome aboard. You won't be disappointed, and as you've been a twin rider for all those years, you will settle into the bike very easily.

I also have been a Duke rider since 79, having owned a few 900 bevels, a couple of singles, and an 851 when they first came out, and I still have an NCR Relica bevel sitting in the garage still, which has been started only once since the Falco landed 18 months ago and 15k kms later.

But I can honestly say that the Falco is one of the sweetest rides around (IMHO), and I've certainly ridden a few bikes over the years. It'll do the odd tour quite comfortably with the panniers and tank bag, will scratch on your favourite roads with the best of them, and will ceratinly impress quite a few sceptics on a race track. I know as I've given the shi...ts to quite a few I4 riders on the track. After all it is a SPORTS Tourer!:cool:

The hardest part about this bike, is the first 1000kms of run in, that you have to do! :rolleyes:

Teddydog1

03-07-2003, 10:00 PM

Hey dude, great choice, best of luck with it. I have a grey/black '02 with Streetfighter cans, etc. What a difference in the performance, and of course, sound. I'm extremely pleased with it. Should be mid 40's F. tomorrow, looks like good riding weather! :D

kevdoyle

03-08-2003, 07:52 PM

Thanks for all of the responses so far. The anticipation is definitely there and growing. Given that the falco already has lots of power compared to my duc engined bikes I think I'll leave well enough alone with the speed mods and concentrate on break in and a few tasteful cosmetic/practical mods.
I noticed on the AF1 site they list two types of frame sliders, R & G and Intuitive, I assume that the R&G units are better made given the price, but are there better ones?
Also, has anyone else raised the bars either using the stock bars on top of the tree or aftermarket, I'm 6' tall but prefer to sit up just a bit more than the stock position allows.
Zero two RSV, I was offered a silly price for an '02 Falco, part of me never expected to get the deal but Pete agreed to it and took my deposit,never sent me a contract or bill of sale, then backed out,if you've gotten written confirmation then you may have a chance of him delivering the bike. I hope all goes well, please let me know if you see a crushed "02 Falco there when you go to pick up your bike. It might restore my faith in Peter.
Thanks again to all who responded, if anyone rides in or to the DC area let me know, that's my stomping ground.
kevin

cstarrett

03-08-2003, 08:00 PM

I just had AF1 install the Intuitive sliders. They look great and seem like they were designed for the bike and not an after thought like those on my buddy's SuperHawk. I thought the same as you regarding the price. AF1 assured me that the Intuitive sliders are excellent and there was no need to pay for the more expensive ones. Hopefully I will never have to test them.

Scotteq, resident expert, wrote this excellent article about the Gilles bar risers. He had the Two Brothers before and swears by the Gilles.

www.twowheelracing.co.uk/.../riser.asp (http://www.twowheelracing.co.uk/falco/prod/riser.asp)

Hopefully you got your deposit back.

ZeroTwoRSV

03-08-2003, 08:32 PM

KEVDOYLE I actually wanted an '01 Falco (way cool frame :smokin: ). Since I am 6'3", I thought it would fit even nicer than the RSV (which I rented in Italy :eek: ) Pete told me they were out of them. I did see an '02 grey on the floor, but it must have been sold already. I will definately let you know how it turned out. I'll also ask some questions while I'm there, like "didn't you guys just have a fire?" and "Where do you keep your trashed motorcycles that haven't been sold yet?"

kevdoyle

03-08-2003, 10:19 PM

Zerotwo,
I almost bought a very nice used black '01 from a guy named bruce in Ohio. It is being advertised on the ducati index for $7500 with some nice extras. Out of warranty but definitely worth a look. I really like the '02 paint scheme better otherwise it was real close.

Ronald Parola

03-09-2003, 04:51 PM

Two Brothers worked for me, no cable or hose mods needed, and with a little fileing was able to push levers further inboard and rotate them to fit me, am trying some enduro grip warmers, that fit under your grips( gell grips in this case), still too cold in the AM. Rp

gtoddh

03-09-2003, 06:14 PM

I just got a new '01 Yellow Falco on thursday for $8100, delivered by a dealer 3hrs from my house. I'm wondering what kind of price you're getting on the '02.

I know where the dealer is that you are getting your machine from. I used to live in NY, right across Lake Champlain from where Roadside Marine is. I don't know a thing about them though, sorry. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">

I've been in NJ all weekend and not had a chance to ride. I can't wait to get back to Raleigh tomorrow so I can take my new steed for a spin.

While up here in NJ I went to an Aprilia/Suzuki/Ducati dealership. In stock the had a new '01 silver Falco that the salesman quoted me at $9500. I just kinda chuckled to myself, given the deal I got an '01. :) In addition, this dealer also had in stock the following Ducati's: a new '01 yellow 996 monoposto, a new '02 yellow 998 monoposto, a new '03 red 999, and a new '02 red, white, and blue Bostrom Replica 998(I think based on the 998 anyway). Pretty crazy to see that many generations of Ducati superbikes all in one place! Apparently they would rather sit on old stock than make good deals on leftover bikes.

Anyway - glad to see I'm not the only one around here just getting on a Falco!

Todd Huestis
gtoddh@hotmail.com

cstarrett

03-09-2003, 06:58 PM

Alright fellas...We are glad to see that you have joined the exclusive brotherhood of falconeers.

But give the "I got mine for a song" routine. Someday you may even want to sell your Falco and seeing the prices of new one plummet, doesn't make you too happy.

Besides, these bikes are better than a mistress. They are not about how much you paid. They are about how everyone you meet wants to know about them. Because everyone has read about the Falco, but few have actually seen one.

I ride with a bunch of bike snobs. Guys that have owned practially everything and KNOW how to ride the balls off of them.

People walk right past my buddies 998 to look at, and talk about, the Falco. The same thing happened when he had his RSVR.

That same guy rode my Falco yesterday and you should have seen his @#%$-eatin grin. He gushed and enthused about the bike and how if he could only own one bike, it would be the Falco.

You can't PAY for this type of praise!

So... I am glad you guys are here. I really am. But if you want me to read your posts... PLEASE, no more.

kevdoyle

03-09-2003, 09:42 PM

Did I forget to mention that I own a Cagiva Gran Canyon? You want to talk about resale hell? I love it to death bit that's what will probably await me were I to try to sell my beloved GC for half of what I paid for it!

If it helps,I don't think that most dealers are being overly aggressive in their pricing of the new '02 leftovers and there don't seem to be too many more out there, I know that I had to go a long way to find the one that I finally bought.

That said I hear you and look forward to sharing in the enthusiasm that most everyone on this board seems to have for their bikes.

Regards, Kevin

gtoddh

03-10-2003, 11:18 PM

cstarrett - Please accept my apologies for carrying on so much about the price. I got a bit carried away with the savings and lost some of the focus on what the bike is really all about. Also, not having been able to really "ride" my bike yet has me a little anxious. I shall try to refrain from discussions about price and deals. I would like to say though, that if the bike is as good as what I've read, resale won't be a problem because it's going to be in my garage for a long time! :D

Tomorrow looks like it should be a nice day here in Raleigh. I hope to start working my way diligently towards the first 600 miles. It is very hard to keep the revs low. The bike just wants to go!

Todd Huestis
gtoddh@hotmail.com

scotteq

03-11-2003, 07:34 AM

There's a Ducati shop a couple miles away, and their mechanic said it best: (To his boss) "You should look into carrying these. It feels like a 900SS, but stops, turns and goes like a 998." :smokin:

Scott :cool:

cstarrett

03-11-2003, 10:54 AM

kevdoyle and gtoddh,

Thanks guys. I figured that you were just excited and I apologize for my rant.

Welcome to the board! Too bad you didn't get the Black one... they are the fastest after all!

These Falcos really are sleepers and underrated. I think you will be surprised at how many people will want to talk to you about your Falco. Everyone seems to think that the Falco has less performance than it does.

No question, the Mille is a higher performance machine. It has higher spec suspension, slightly hotter motor and in the case of the R, lighter wheels.

This being said a stock Falco is within 90% of a stock Mille's performance. Given that you can't ride a bike 100% on the road, this margin is reduced even further. This margin can be even further reduced by improving the suspension, particularly the rear shock, and lightening the wheels.

I am one of those idiots that will let others ride my Falco. Why? Because that is the only way that someone else can "discover" it's performance. When they do, they are always impressed.

Again, welcome. It's nice to see people buying Falcos instead of selling them.

ZeroTwoRSV

03-15-2003, 08:08 PM

Well, tomorrow is the day of truth. I'm going to Max. Motors to pick up the Diablo Black. Wish me luck.

ZeroTwoRSV

03-16-2003, 06:23 PM

Well, all went smoothly today. As far as Pete at Maximum Motors goes, he delivered as promised, no strings, and wished me luck. Who knows what happens at dealerships though. Best of luck with your new dealer.

exducman

03-16-2003, 06:35 PM

Congrats, I'm glad you got a good deal too. I own a yellow 01 that I purchased used, it had been derestricted and had rsc pipes/chip and carbon side panels. I was very impressed with it imediately. I own a 916 too. I would say the falco is a notch down in the handling and looks department compared to the 916. All considered, the falco has the 916 beat in every other aspect. Ducatis are expensive to buy and maintain, resale is not what used to be and they are a dime a dozen out there. I just came back from Daytona where I only saw two other falcos. It is more exclusive to ride a falco than an RSV, they are a dime a dozen too. As to the bike been detuned compared to an rsv, I haven't found an rsv on the road that could leave me. It actualy seems to surprise our rsv brothers when they can't shake the falco off their tail. I love my falco more than any ducati I ever owned. I've modified the air box with the evo race kit and the lower velocity stacks. I had my friend steve sync my throttle bodies. I'm going for a 42 teeth rear sprocket and lighter wheels. I can't decide between marvic 5 spoke or marchesini 10 spokes. I replaced the plastic below the windshield with a carbon one and covered the dash board with carbon too. Got rid of the rear fender with the evo plate relocator and LED tail lights. So far so good, hasn't let me down yet. God knows how many times I had to push the 748 or the 916, I don't miss them. Good luck with your new Falco.
:smokin:

kevdoyle

03-17-2003, 12:43 PM

Zero two,
I'm happy to hear that all went well for you at MM. BTW, what did you buy from them anyway, an RSV or a falco?
I'll let you know when I get my new toy, hopefully it'll get delivered in a week or so.

ZeroTwoRSV

03-17-2003, 02:43 PM

I actually bought an RSV ( I know, their a dime a dozen :lol: ) but I would have definately purchased a Falco had they had any left at the shop. I totally agree about the engine, handling, etc. aspects. I'm no roadracer (or track for that matter), just love the motor and the bikes! Anyway, it was cheaper for me to purchase the Mille (go figure) from MM than a Falco from another. Plus, I like the '00/'01 colors better.

I'm leaving to go ride right now! Break in stinks.:(