Aprilia SL 1000 Falco: This is, so the promotional literature says, "a new racing version, Aprilia's lightest twin." Claimed to offer "biking in the pure state, a sporty but not extreme ride, performance, safety, handling exclusivity and comfort."
A lot in one bike! This is definitely a machine for blowing away the cobwebs, a strictly recreational vehicle, not the sort of thing for a trip to Tescos.
Aprilia claims comfort as one of the machine's attributes, but this is a relative concept. This is a no-compromise sports bike which aims to infuse an adrenaline rush rather than deal kindly with your incipient arthritis. More a young man's machine than one for those in their second childhood!
There are low handlebars and then there are Aprilia Falco bars, seemingly designed to produce aching wrists and neck pain even among the youngest. The seat is very hard. If you see a rider walking like John Wayne, chances are he rides a Falco.
The screen, of the double bubble type, is designed to deflect the airflow up to your shoulders and so take some of the weight off your wrists. The snag is that for the airflow to have any appreciable pain-relieving effect you are already travelling over the limits.
The 998cc 60º V-twin engine with twin-spark ignition is the same as that fitted to the supersports RSV, with revised injection mapping and tuning to give more mid-range punch. It delivers 86.7kW (118 hp) at 9,000rpm and 95.6Nm at 7,000rpm.
The exhaust system consists of two stainless steel silencers fitted with Euro 2 compliant catalytic converters.
The frame is a double-beam aluminium and magnesium alloy extrusion. The rear swinging arm is also aluminium and magnesium alloy. Showa USD 43mm front forks, Sachs fully adjustable rear suspension, Brembo Oro brakes and Freudenberg brake lines are all part of this race-bred, quality mix.
The dashboard has an LCD speedo, an analog rev counter and an LCD panel incorporating fuel injection diagnosis, clock and 40 pieces of information, including, of course, a lap timer.
As tested, the bike was in monoposto guise. The rear cowl can be removed and replaced by a pillion seat.
Among other things the Falco SL 1000 just happens to be the cheapest of Aprilia's 1-litre machines - "currently on special offer at €9,999 while stocks last" - and the next fastest at 253 km/h (157mph) to its much more expensive RSV Tuono Factory stablemate. In terms of bangs for your buck, precious few machines give as good value.
We found the hydraulic clutch heavy enough not to want to do much if any riding in an urban environment. In fairness it's not what this machine was designed for.
Steering is good, very light. This is helped by the light, 5-spoke wheels as well as the rake and trail angles which allow the bike to turn very quickly.
We are concerned about the position of the oil cooler radiator - low down, behind the front wheel with no protective guard. On often filthy Irish roads, one could very soon end up with a clogged and useless radiator.
Braking is superb, as you would expect with the Brembo Oro set up which you would see on many a Moto GP machine. One slight caveat - with the hard seat and slim but high set fuel tank, braking in a hurry can result in the rider sliding forward hard enough to make your eyes water.
The engine, typical of a V-twin, produces a torrent of torque when the throttle is opened, but sadly this is short-lived. In our search to discover just how powerful this engine is, we carried out a few roll-ons. This, for example is when travelling at say 60 km/h you very quickly open the throttle to see how the bike responds. Once you are past 3rd gear and do a roll-on, you feel that a comparable, modern 1000cc straight four would definitely have the edge.
A great machine for track days, for the adrenaline rush if that's your thing, and miles away from a "tourer" or a "commuter".
This typical Aprilia is like a Monty Python sketch - fans will love it, but others won't know what it's all about.