Aprilia SL1000 Falco
Encyclopedia
The Aprilia SL1000 Falco (also known as "Aprilia SL Mille PA"), is a sports motorcycle
powered by a liquid-cooled
996 cc 60° V-twin engine, manufactured from 1999 to 2003 by Aprilia
in Noale
, Italy. The Falco's 118 hp engine was a detuned version of the 128 hp RSV Mille
engine, whereby dual exhausts and remapped fuel injection
cropped the peak power slightly but bolstered bottom and mid-range. The Falco has a half-fairing, a twin-beam alloy frame, 53 mm USD forks from Showa
(& later Marzocchi
) and twin Brembo
320 mm semi-floating front brake discs. The clutch had a device, activated by inlet manifold vacuum, that simulated a slipper clutch
.
The Falco was not as radical as the "race-replica' Mille nor really a sports-tourer (such as their own Aprilia Futura), but was instead a very sporty roadster, competing in the market against the Honda VTR1000, the Suzuki TL1000S
and the Ducati ST4. Although the Falco proved a reliable and powerful sports bike, sales were disappointing and production ceased in 2003, with sales continuing into 2004.
A Motor Cycle News review of the Falco declared: "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."
Sport bike
A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles...
powered by a liquid-cooled
Liquid cooling
Liquid cooling may refer to:* The cooling of a liquid.* The cooling of machinery or devices by convection or circulation of coolants* Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, a garment worn by astronauts.* Liquid metal cooled reactor...
996 cc 60° V-twin engine, manufactured from 1999 to 2003 by Aprilia
Aprilia
Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle company, one of the seven marques owned by Piaggio, the world's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer.Aprilia started as a scooter manufacturer, but has more recently come to be known for its race-winning sportbikes...
in Noale
Noale
Noale is a town in the province of Venezia, Veneto, Italy.The town is home to the cult Hard rock/Heavy Metal band Catarrhal Noise, and to the motorcycle company Aprilia.The most important event of the town in the Palio ....
, Italy. The Falco's 118 hp engine was a detuned version of the 128 hp RSV Mille
Aprilia RSV Mille
The Aprilia RSV Mille was a sport motorcycle manufactured by Aprilia from 1998 to 2003. It was offered in three versions, RSV Mille, RSV Mille R, and RSV Mille SP....
engine, whereby dual exhausts and remapped fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
cropped the peak power slightly but bolstered bottom and mid-range. The Falco has a half-fairing, a twin-beam alloy frame, 53 mm USD forks from Showa
Showa Corporation
is a manufacturer of high-performance automotive, motorcycle and outboard suspension systems based in Gyoda, Saitama in Japan.Founded in October 1938 in Japan's drive to develop its military capability in preparation for World War II, Showa supplied aircraft suspension and landing systems to...
(& later Marzocchi
Marzocchi
Marzocchi is an Italian manufacturer founded in 1949 by the two brothers Stefano and Guglielmo Marzocchi. The company profile includes hydraulic industrial pumps and suspension components for motorcycles and bicycles...
) and twin Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
320 mm semi-floating front brake discs. The clutch had a device, activated by inlet manifold vacuum, that simulated a slipper clutch
Slipper clutch
A slipper clutch is a specialized clutch developed for performance oriented motorcycles to mitigate the effects of engine braking when riders decelerate as they enter corners....
.
The Falco was not as radical as the "race-replica' Mille nor really a sports-tourer (such as their own Aprilia Futura), but was instead a very sporty roadster, competing in the market against the Honda VTR1000, the Suzuki TL1000S
Suzuki TL1000S
- General background :The Suzuki TL1000S was introduced by Suzuki in 1997 and was produced until 2001 and is frequently referred to as the TLS or Suzuki TLS. It is notable for the V-twin engine which is still used in Suzuki's modern SV1000 and V-Strom 1000 motorcycles.The TLS motor featured a 90°...
and the Ducati ST4. Although the Falco proved a reliable and powerful sports bike, sales were disappointing and production ceased in 2003, with sales continuing into 2004.
A Motor Cycle News review of the Falco declared: "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."
Specifications
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Length (including rear mudgard extension) | 2,065 mm (2,170 mm) | |
| Width (front part of fairing included) | 750 mm (1180 mm) | |
| Seat height | 820 mm (32.3 inches) | |
| Wheelbase | 1,415 mm | |
| Ground clearance | 140 mm | |
| Wet weight (fuel tank full) | 222 kg | |
| Dry Weight | 190 kg | |
| Fuel tank | 19 litres (including 4.5 litres reserve) | |
| Engine Specification | ||
| Engine Type | 60° V-Twin, 4-stroke, DOHC | |
| Engine Size | 996cc | |
| Bore / Stroke | 97 mm / 76.5 mm | |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8:1 | |
| Starter | Electric | |
| Cooling | Liquid cooled | |
| Lubrication | Dry sump Dry sump A dry sump is a lubricating motor oil management method for four-stroke and large two-stroke piston internal combustion engines that uses external pumps and a secondary external reservoir for oil, as compared to a conventional wet sump system.... with remote oil tank & oil cooler |
|
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate clutch, hydraulically activated Simulated slipper-clutch using induction vacuum |
|
| Gearbox | 6 speed | |
| Performance | ||
| Torque | 69 ft.-lb. @ 7,000 rpm | |
| Top speed | 162 mph, 260 km/h | |
| Corrected 1/4-mile | 11.0 mph | |
| 0-60 mph | 3.41 seconds | |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.2 seconds |