The Aprilia SL1000 Falco (also known as "Aprilia SL Mille"), is a sports motorcycle powered by a liquid-cooled Rotax 998 cc 60° V-twin engine, manufactured from 1999 to 2005 by Aprilia in Noale, Italy. The Falco's engine was a detuned version of the RSV Mille engine. The Falco's dual exhausts and remapped fuel injection reduced 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 simulated a slipper clutch using a device activated by inlet manifold vacuum.
The Falco was not as radical as the "race-replica' Mille nor really a sports-tourer (such as their own Aprilia Futura) but, rather like the Yamaha TRX850, was instead a sporty half-faired roadster which competed in the market against the Honda VTR1000 and the Suzuki TL1000S."Superbike" magazine December 2000 Although the Falco proved to be reliable and powerful, 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 mudguard extension) 2,065 mm (2,170 mm) Width 750 mm Height (front part of the fairing included) 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 998cc Bore / Stroke 97 mm / 67.5 mm Compression Ratio 10.8:1 Starter Electric Cooling Liquid cooled Lubrication Dry sump 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 seconds 0-60 mph 3.41 seconds 0–100 km/h 3.2 seconds
References