Not quite as cutting edge as the Mille, Aprilia’s Falco provided plenty of excitement for less Euros. Just under 8,000 miles and of legal drinking age, this Falco has had a careful owner or two, and looks excellent.
2003 Aprilia SL1000 Falco for sale on eBay
Slightly less compression ( still 10.8-to-1 ) than its big brother RSV gives the Falco 118 hp to work with, and an alloy chassis plus adjustable suspension to carry it. Aprilia component choices are typically upper crust, with USD Showa forks and Sachs monoshock. Likewise the 320mm Brembo brakes. Even the fairing is more than the typical supersport, with modified lowers and a rarely used pillion. Lower seat height and pegs, with higher clip-ons, made for a friendlier experience.
Offered by a Florida specialty dealer, this SL1000 looks un-modified and ready to rumble, though those particular mufflers might be something new – or maybe the only stock set ever seen on a Falco. The exuberant frame sliders don’t appear to have been used, and the sticker kit will come off easier than it went on. Capitalization is by the seller in the eBay auction:
This Bike has a Great Running Water-Cooled Fuel Injected V-Twin Engine that Produces 111 Horsepower with just the twist of the throttle. This bike has a smooth Shifting 6-speed Transmission. The Factory Dual Exhaust on this Bike Sounds Like an Orchestra, there is nothing else that has the sound of an Italian V-twin Revving up to Speed through a pair of perfectly tuned mufflers. This Bike is Like the Lamborghini of Motorcycles. If you are Searching for a Beautiful Investment that you can ride and will only go up in value over time, this could be the one you have been waiting for. Truly a Gorgeous Modern Classic Italian Motorbike.
The Falco might be happy in its junior role, a good helping of performance without the expectation or quite the expense of the superbike. Reviewers loved the power band, called for an upgraded rear shock, and praised the moderate riding position. The buy-it-now is just about in RSV territory, but maybe bidders will find the reserve before time runs out.
-donn
I actually didn’t know this existed. Is it a bit like Ducati 900SS?
I always thought of the Falco as a bit like the Mille 1000 superbike tailored more for real world riding. Not as upright as the Tuono. These Falcos are generally regarded as one of the most underrated Aprilias of that era. Everyone that I ever spoke with that rode one really enjoyed the ergos and powerband. Unfortunately vs. the other Aprilias of the time, tfhe styling was a bit MEH so it was a slow seller, even by Aprilia standards. A lot of bang for the buck but I think their buy it now price is a bit optimistic. Perhaps if it was in perfect condition but not as is.
You’d think that there was more than one way the Italians could design a good looking motorcycle (Ducati), and the reborn MV Augusta proved it, but what about poor Aprilia? To me, most of their bikes are just odd looking with overdone paint, and too many bits hanging off. Trying too hard not to resemble Ducati? And they don’t build the motors – maybe that’s a turnoff to some? Good value for performance, but something’s just not there.