Burning a hole
Discussion
When I bought my Fazer back in October I actually underspent my bike budget by a fair bit, a concious decision as I was scared I'd wreck it. A few months and a few thousand miles later my confidence is growing and having seen TPFT rates on some big bikes, there's a couple of k burning a hole in my pocket.
I'm kinda toying with the idea of getting another bike, something quite sporty and kept as a toy for blatting about. I'm quite taken with the big Mille and Falco's, there's a few near me at reasonable costs. Anyone got any good info as what I should look out for? The mileages may be low but I'm quite conscious that I'm looking at 6 to 8 yr old bikes.
Also, is this wise or should I slap myself about a bit and be happy with the Fazer?
I just wish it had a boomy exhaust note.
I'm kinda toying with the idea of getting another bike, something quite sporty and kept as a toy for blatting about. I'm quite taken with the big Mille and Falco's, there's a few near me at reasonable costs. Anyone got any good info as what I should look out for? The mileages may be low but I'm quite conscious that I'm looking at 6 to 8 yr old bikes.
Also, is this wise or should I slap myself about a bit and be happy with the Fazer?
I just wish it had a boomy exhaust note.
I liked the racket out of the original Milles...brutal..but the bike is kind of lardy and tall in comparison to other more compact sportier stuff....test rides may be the order of the day...hugely enjoyable too...I keep promising myself I should test ride one of the triumph triples ....they look like a top tool..particuarly with a rorty pipe...
Edited by F.M on Wednesday 14th March 20:49
The lardiness of the mille is deceptive. They are 187kg, which is only 15kg heavier than an R1. They steer faster than an R1 so the extra bulk just disappears. The 'R has Ohlins, which gives a better ride. That and the extra weight makes it very sure footed over ropey road surfaces. And they just love to lean.
What I really need is the R1 engine in the Mille's chassis. Time for a Bimota?
What I really need is the R1 engine in the Mille's chassis. Time for a Bimota?
I'm going to have to sort something with the zorst on the Faz anyway thanks to the pillock van driver who pratted it and drove off, but as it's a daily ride I don't really want a race can. I'm kind of disturbed that it has taken so little time for me to start riding it like a hooligan, so some advanced training is definitely needed and I'll probably be availing myself on the local IAM so a rorty pipe is probably a no-go for that also.
I'm 6ft and nearly 17 stone atm so a more compact sports bike will probably not suit me; one of the things that appeals about the Mille is it's size, especially for some of my longer jaunts around the hills where a bit more room, torquier power delivery and more committed riding position would be appreciated. Other bikes I do fancy are Blackbirds, but I'd have to chop the Fazer for that atm and don't fancy commuting on a litre bike. Or a Sprint ST 955 but again I think that would necessitate selling the Fazer. Gixxer 750 would be another idea which would be within budget I suppose.
I'm 6ft and nearly 17 stone atm so a more compact sports bike will probably not suit me; one of the things that appeals about the Mille is it's size, especially for some of my longer jaunts around the hills where a bit more room, torquier power delivery and more committed riding position would be appreciated. Other bikes I do fancy are Blackbirds, but I'd have to chop the Fazer for that atm and don't fancy commuting on a litre bike. Or a Sprint ST 955 but again I think that would necessitate selling the Fazer. Gixxer 750 would be another idea which would be within budget I suppose.
Several years ago I was considering a Mille or Falco as I love v-twins and the prices were excellent. Used Falcos look like a lot of bike for the money. I never rode one and I think they do a couple of dubious colour schemes for them, but I reckon it might be worth slinging your leg over one to see what it's like. As always, my advice is, try out as many bikes as you can before you buy - it's the only way to know what tickles you! Good luck in your search either way!
gethyn said:
Several years ago I was considering a Mille or Falco as I love v-twins and the prices were excellent. Used Falcos look like a lot of bike for the money. I never rode one and I think they do a couple of dubious colour schemes for them, but I reckon it might be worth slinging your leg over one to see what it's like. As always, my advice is, try out as many bikes as you can before you buy - it's the only way to know what tickles you! Good luck in your search either way!
Good advice, try as many different bikes as you can.
I love big twins, especially V twins but my experience is that riders raised on a diet of high revving 4 cyl bikes either love the lazy V twin torque or hate the fact that they are constantly bouncing off the rev limiter. You may not know which you are until you've had a chance to have a decent ride on a twin.
long post warning ...
I love my Falco
but there were some issues with it that needed addressing. These were the sidestand - the non-US one is absolutely shite, standing the bike up almost vertical and causing it to rock worryingly around when you so much as breathe it. The other problem is the regulator/rectifier, which doesn't really put enough volts out to charge the battery properly (voltage drops as you rev the engine, you can see it on the voltage meter on the dash). This lack of charging voltage can kill batteries before time and they need to be on top form to crank a big twin.
If you do nothing else, get a US spec sidestand, grind off the US specific third mounting point and replace the crap standard item, then never worry about it falling over again. You can do a wiring mod which helps with charging, or take my approach and get an one that works properly from a nice man in the US. Again no further problems. Other stuff - the front brake discs can warp/get pad deposits on them, so don't keep the brakes on waiting at the lights, they're pricey to replace. The rear brake needs bleeding with a two stage proceedure, but can be made to work.
The other things I've done replaced the slave with a trick MPL billet ally one, which makes the lever much lighter. The slave seals going prompted me to do this, although I'd had the cylinder for some time. This failure doesn't seem that common and again a specific bleeding procedure for the clutch is needed like the rear brake. I've also got Gilles Variobars fitted, because I'm a short ar$e and the Falco is a tall-ish bike with a bit of a stretch to the bars over a long tank. As a taller rider you'd not need to do this.
She's easy to ride in town, but much better on a more open road (bought her for touring duty originally). She's very stable through the bends, although I do have the benefit of an Ohlins rear damper and front fork setup my MC Technics. The speed is pretty effortless although if you wind things on past 7k that's where the real grunt becomes available. I very seldom need to do this, it's mainly for my own entertainment.
The finish is also very good and looks like it's going to last.
The Rotax mill seems pretty bullet proof, it rarely needs valves clearences for instance and servicing while not cheap is not on Ducati levels. I do my own stuff, so I couldn't tell you what it actually costs, but I've heard £250-350 for a big service. It's also seriously loud on a decent set of pipes. I've only seen one other Falco in all my time commuting in London, so they are a bit of an undiscovered treasure. If you think it might be for you give it a try and if you're nearby me, I'm more than happy to lend a hand if you buy one.
Cheers,
Steve.
I love my Falco
but there were some issues with it that needed addressing. These were the sidestand - the non-US one is absolutely shite, standing the bike up almost vertical and causing it to rock worryingly around when you so much as breathe it. The other problem is the regulator/rectifier, which doesn't really put enough volts out to charge the battery properly (voltage drops as you rev the engine, you can see it on the voltage meter on the dash). This lack of charging voltage can kill batteries before time and they need to be on top form to crank a big twin. If you do nothing else, get a US spec sidestand, grind off the US specific third mounting point and replace the crap standard item, then never worry about it falling over again. You can do a wiring mod which helps with charging, or take my approach and get an one that works properly from a nice man in the US. Again no further problems. Other stuff - the front brake discs can warp/get pad deposits on them, so don't keep the brakes on waiting at the lights, they're pricey to replace. The rear brake needs bleeding with a two stage proceedure, but can be made to work.
The other things I've done replaced the slave with a trick MPL billet ally one, which makes the lever much lighter. The slave seals going prompted me to do this, although I'd had the cylinder for some time. This failure doesn't seem that common and again a specific bleeding procedure for the clutch is needed like the rear brake. I've also got Gilles Variobars fitted, because I'm a short ar$e and the Falco is a tall-ish bike with a bit of a stretch to the bars over a long tank. As a taller rider you'd not need to do this.
She's easy to ride in town, but much better on a more open road (bought her for touring duty originally). She's very stable through the bends, although I do have the benefit of an Ohlins rear damper and front fork setup my MC Technics. The speed is pretty effortless although if you wind things on past 7k that's where the real grunt becomes available. I very seldom need to do this, it's mainly for my own entertainment.
The finish is also very good and looks like it's going to last. The Rotax mill seems pretty bullet proof, it rarely needs valves clearences for instance and servicing while not cheap is not on Ducati levels. I do my own stuff, so I couldn't tell you what it actually costs, but I've heard £250-350 for a big service. It's also seriously loud on a decent set of pipes. I've only seen one other Falco in all my time commuting in London, so they are a bit of an undiscovered treasure. If you think it might be for you give it a try and if you're nearby me, I'm more than happy to lend a hand if you buy one.
Cheers,
Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Thursday 15th March 14:45
Cheers Steve, just what I needed!
I wasn't aware of a regulator issue so looks like I'll be investing in an Optimate, especially as this is going to be a lightly used 2nd bike. I'm guessing as no-one ever mentions cambelts that they use camchains. Overall I've got to say if that's the worst I have to worry about then there isn't a lot to put me off; just got to ride one now!
Weather permitting, roll on Monday (flippin 40% chance of snow, buggery bumbum)
I wasn't aware of a regulator issue so looks like I'll be investing in an Optimate, especially as this is going to be a lightly used 2nd bike. I'm guessing as no-one ever mentions cambelts that they use camchains. Overall I've got to say if that's the worst I have to worry about then there isn't a lot to put me off; just got to ride one now!
Weather permitting, roll on Monday (flippin 40% chance of snow, buggery bumbum)
One final thing if you want more info on Falcos - loads available on www.apriliaforum.com and great people too, just like here. There's a good number of septics on there, which helps in acquiring the mandatory US spec stand. I've not tried the Aprilia Riders Site, which is predominantly UK folks, but it's good too apparently.
Steve.
Steve.
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