Aprilia SL1000 Falco
Manufacturer | Aprilia |
---|---|
Also called | Aprilia SL Mille |
Production | 1999-2003 |
Class | Sport bike |
Engine | 998 cc V-twin, 4-stroke, liquid cooled |
Related | Aprilia RSV Mille |
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 2003 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.
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."[3]
Specifications
Dimensions | ||
---|---|---|
Length (including rear mudgard 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 [4] | |
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[5] | |
Top speed | 162 mph, 260 km/h [6] | |
Corrected 1/4-mile | 11.0 seconds[7] | |
0-60 mph | 3.41 seconds | |
0–100 km/h | 3.2 seconds [8] |
References
- ↑ http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Aprilia/Aprilia-SL1000-Falco-1999-2005/
- ↑ "Superbike" magazine December 2000
- ↑ http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Aprilia/Aprilia-SL1000-Falco-1999-2005/
- ↑ "Superbike" magazine December 2000
- ↑ "Superbike" magazine December 2000
- ↑ "Superbike" magazine December 2000
- ↑ "Superbike" magazine December 2000
- ↑ Motorrad, Issue 23/1999, page 20