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 118 hp (88 kW) engine was a detuned version of the 128 hp (95 kW) RSV Mille engine. The Falco's dual exhausts and remapped fuel injection reduced peak power slightly but bolstered bottom and mid-range.[1] 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.
 SL1000 Falco with Mille swingarm and extra fairing. | |
| Manufacturer | Aprilia |
|---|---|
| Also called | Aprilia SL Mille |
| Production | 1999-2005 |
| Class | Sport bike |
| Engine | 998 cc V-twin, 4-stroke, liquid cooled |
| Related | Aprilia RSV Mille |
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.[2] 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."[1]
Specifications
edit| 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 [2] | |
| 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[2] | |
| Top speed | 162 mph, 260 km/h [2] | |
| Corrected 1/4-mile | 11.0 seconds[2] | |
| 0-60 mph | 3.41 seconds | |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.2 seconds [3] |
References
edit- ^ a b "APRILIA SL1000 FALCO (1999-2005) Review". Motorcycle News. 12 December 2006. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "Superbike" magazine December 2000
- ^ "Motorrad, Issue 23/1999, page 20". Archived from the original on 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
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