 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 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.
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]
- ^ a b "APRILIA SL1000 FALCO (1999-2005) Review". Motorcycle News. 12 December 2006. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "Superbike" magazine December 2000