Update 8.8.2018: This bike is available on eBay. Good luck to buyers and seller! -dc
Halfway between the RSV and the Futura on Aprilia’s 2003 dealer card, you’ll find the Falco 1000R. Neither race replica nor sport-tourer, the Falco is a able performer with room for two and the feasibility of soft bags. This Falco has been painted in tribute to Alex de Angelis, factory 250 rider back then, and blinged every way but Sunday. It’s a treat for the eyes, and also for an afternoon on the road if not the track.
2003 Aprilia Falco 1000R for sale on eBay
With the 998cc Rotax twin slightly de-tuned from RSV Mille-spec, the Falco still has almost 120 horses on tap. Hefty twin-spar aluminum cradle frame supports the 43mm Ohlins forks and monoshock rear. Brakes are big at 320mm front / 220mm rear. Despite pushing 450 lbs. fueled, the Falco is capable of a sub 12-second 1/4 mile and almost 160 mph top speed. With its slightly cushier seat and higher bars, it’s a more comfortable ride for a longer day.
The owner had blue and white ribbons applied to the fairings, a tribute to Alex de Angelis, who rode the Aprilia RSV 250 back then, and is riding an Aprilia in Moto GP this year for IodaRacing. He also updated just about everything on the bike, bringing many systems up to the RSV level and lightening and color-coordinating everything else. Truly too much to list, the owner provides this preamble in the eBay auction:
Here is for sale a very beautiful and unique motorcycle with tons of upgrades. It’s one owner bike and I am the only owner and purchased this bike brand new from a dealership. Bike has always been cared for and always stored in heated garage under bike cover with a battery tender attached. Bike is always washed after every ride and oil is changed regularly. Always use Agip oil recommended by Aprilia. I have a lot of bikes (6) and this is one of my favorites but I need to thin out my herd.
If you ever wanted to have a beautiful and unique motorcycle with tons of upgrades here is your chance of owning one without doing all the work.
In between upgrades the owner somehow had time to live in NYC and ride the bike, looking great for 16,500 miles. Widely reported as more fun on the road than the RSV, the Falco wasn’t a winner in the showroom and only survived another year. This particular Falco, with upgrades and accessories on the order of triple its value, does look like a winner…
-donn
Just a small correction. Forks are 53mm from Mille R. Author wrote 43 mm