2004 Aprilia SL 1000 Falco
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TECHNOLOGY, AGILITY, PERFORMANCE AND PERSONALITY.
THE SL 1000 FALCO IS APRILIA'S "LIGHTWEIGHT"
SPORTS TWIN. AN EXCLUSIVE MOTORCYCLE FOR RIDERS
WITH A PASSION FOR PERFORMANCE ON THE ROAD AS
WELL AS THE TRACK.
The motorcycle in its purest state. A twin
that delivers real sports performance without
going over the top, designed for riders who
want the pleasure of sports road riding with
the chance of the occasional burst on the track.
The SL 1000 FALCO delivers plenty of riding
thrills and performance while its uniquely rational
and versatile design also guarantees safety,
agility, comfort and exclusivity.
The Aprilia SL 1000 FALCO brings you the action
and performance typical of all Aprilia sports
motorcycles, but still embodies a perfect mix
of easy riding, enjoyment, and fascinating overall
design with careful attention to detail. This
unmistakable bike has more than its share of
character and a generous engine that is always
happy to deliver bags of power but still permit
easy riding and incredible control.
The Aprilia SL 1000 FALCO is the perfect choice
for the real biking enthusiast, the biker who
rides for passion and satisfaction. Here is
the motorcycling icon for all bikers who shun
the motorways to seek the "biking roads" that
winding enticingly through the hills. The FALCO
is the way to discover real riding satisfaction,
to fulfil every biker's primordial need to ride.
Here is the emotion that comes not from taking
a few split seconds off a track time but from
all round motorcycling, including casual and
medium distance touring. Here is a bike designed
for true riding pleasure, with the power and
performance to deliver it.The SL 1000 FALCO
is the logical development of the concept of
a "lightweight sports" bike. It is capable of
delivering optimum performance, agility, controllability,
riding pleasure, and a good level of comfort
for the rider and the passenger. With a unique
innovative design thrown in for good measure.
The SL 1000 FALCO is the perfect compromise
between the RSV 1000 supersport and the RST
Futura Sport Tourer - the best of both worlds.
The FALCO's styling is modern, original, and
beautifully simple and a limited use of plastic
body parts keeps the bike looking and feeling
light.The half fairing leaves the engine and
frame (the parts that really make the bike)
open to view. The aluminium frame and swing-arm
have been specially designed and produced for
the SL 1000 FALCO, making it quite a unique
motorcycle even though it maintains many of
the features that have made the RSV Mille the
pace-maker in its class.
Though different in many ways, however, there
is an obvious family resemblance in many aspects
of the FALCO's design (like the triple headlight
cluster), clearly linking the bike with Aprilia's
top sportster. The new SL 1000 FALCO inherits
its blistering performance from the RSV Mille,
a performance that makes the bike easily the
highest performance light sports motorcycle
on the market.
The 60 degree V twin engine has been made exceptionally
fluid by special injection mapping that delivers
on smoothness without penalising performance.
In the FALCO this impressive Aprilia V twin
delivers a generous 118 horsepower at the crank,
power that the advanced chassis is more than
capable of using to the full.The SL 1000 FALCO's
light weight is achieved largely by the bike's
naked design. The burnished engine, aluminium
frame, and refined components are all open to
view, giving the bike a very special character
and aesthetics. As with all Aprilia bikes, the
design of the SL 1000 FALCO is not just a question
of good looks. It is the result of extensive
wind tunnel testing which has not only led to
an extremely low Cx but also to significantly
reduced buffeting on the rider.
The aerodynamic styling has been enhanced by
clever ergonomic design too, covering everything
from the bike's overall dimensions to the riding
position. Fatigue has been minimised, leaving
the rider free to concentrate on the road in
complete comfort. Even the passenger seat is
ergonomic and comfortable.The triple headlight
cluster adds still further to the unmistakable
looks of the SL 1000 FALCO, and makes a major
contribution to active safety too. The three
high efficiency light units are scientifically
computer designed to guarantee exceptional visibility.
There is even a practical and functional knob
for adjusting beam height.The SL 1000 FALCO's
unmistakably fascinating and sensual tail is
also the perfect housing for the rear light
cluster. The tail is fitted also with a practical
and ergonomic grab handle that acts as spoiler
too. A spacious storage compartment in the tail
adds further to the practicality and comfort
of this bike and ensures its place as the number
one all-round sportster.
Other distinctive plus points which make the
FALCO even more comfortable and versatile are
its extremely low vibration level and the high
autonomy from the 21 litre tank (with 4 litre
reserve).The engine of the SL 1000 FALCO is
the same unit fitted to the RSV supersport,
but has a completely different injection mapping
and state of tune to adapt it to the targeted
riding style.
The engine is exceptionally smooth at low revs;
but still puts out 118 HP at the crank at 9500
r.p.m. and gives a maximum torque of 9.75 kgm
at 7000 r.p.m.. As with the RSV Mille, the decision
to use a 60° V twin engine originated from the
need for a light, compact engine that would
not require compromises in chassis design nor
less than optimal technical solutions and weight
distribution. The twin cylinder engine is also
part of European motorcycling heritage, delivers
unbeatable riding pleasure, and perfectly matches
the SL 1000 FALCO's handling characteristics.That
is why the FALCO's power unit features the same
technical characteristics that have won the
RSV Mille worldwide acclaim:
- Longitudinal 60° V twin design (short and
compact for optimum positioning in the frame),
with four valves per cylinder and double overhead
cams with mixed chain and gear timing drive.
- Electronic fuel injection with a dynamic
air intake system; 51 mm diameter throttle
bodies and continuous self-diagnostics with
real-time system fault display.
- CDI capacitor discharge ignition combined
with Twin Spark Ignition (TSI ) with two spark
plugs per cylinder. Ignition timing is controlled
by the same integrated engine management system
that also controls fuel injection.
- Dry sump lubrication, for a more rigid and
compact sump than wet sump engines, with no
risk of lubrication failure during fierce
acceleration and braking, wheelies, or falls.
The FALCO's lubrication system is equipped
with a second trochoidal pump on the return
line, a separate oil reservoir, and an oil
cooler mounted in front of the engine. The
oil reservoir is made from a single piece
aluminium casting for perfect sealing, overall
quality, and better cooling.
- Mixed gear/chain valve timing drive with
the two drive gears (one per timing chain)
located in the engine block to reduce cylinder
head dimensions.
Further confirmation of the exclusive
technology used in the SL 1000 FALCO comes
in the form of Aprilia patents for:
- AVDC (Anti Vibration Double Countershaft)
system, with one counter-rotating shaft
to balance out crank vibrations and second,
smaller shaft in the cylinder head to
balance out the vibrations of the main
countershaft. This high technology solution
is accepted to be the most efficient way
of producing excellent power output, torque
and smoothness with very low vibration.
- Hydraulic clutch assisted by the patented
PPC (Pneumatic Power Clutch) system to
control rear wheel bounce. During rapid
deceleration the bike's weight is rapidly
transferred on to the front wheel, leaving
the rear wheel too light. This phenomenon
is accentuated in large twins by the engine's
impressive braking effect. The result
is that the rear wheel bounces, i.e. tends
to lock and leave the ground, endangering
the bike's stability and putting performance
and safety at risk too. The PPC system,
already tried and tested on the RSV Mille,
uses variations in pressure in the intake
manifolds to relax the load on the clutch
springs, thus reducing engine braking
at the rear wheel. Despite its effectiveness,
PPC is also a simple system. A pipe connects
the intake manifolds to a reservoir alongside
the clutch. When the throttle is closed,
the vacuum created in the reservoir reduces
clutch spring loading. When the throttle
is opened again the clutch returns to
its normal operating conditions, transmitting
all available power to the rear wheel.
The system also reduces the force needed
to pull in the clutch lever at low engine
revs.
The exhaust system is one of the distinctive
features of the Aprilia SL 1000 FALCO.
The two silencers are made entirely from
stainless steel (to guarantee long working
life without loss of efficiency) and are
fitted with a catalyser that keeps emissions
well below EURO 2 limits. The positioning
and size of the exhaust ends was determined
as the result of extensive research into
aerodynamics and ridability. The solution
chosen for the FALCO:
- Guarantees perfect balance;
- Ensures low noise;
- Does not generate irritating turbulence
at high speeds.
In line with tradition, the chassis is
a tribute to Aprilia's know-how and the
maximum expression of Aprilia philosophy.
The SL FALCO's splendid DOUBLE TWIN BEAM
frame consists of two parallel bent beams
in extruded aluminium and magnesium alloy
and gives the best torsional rigidity
in its class.
In-depth studies have led to a drastic
reduction in welds along the frame, with
clear advantages in terms of far lower
frame stress, reduced tolerances, better
engine cooling and an overall increase
in manufacturing quality.
The rear swing-arm, also in aluminium
and magnesium alloy, has a chilled cast
main section, extruded members and forged
ends for the best possible combination
of lightness and torsional rigidity. The
unit's design also maximises the weight/rigidity
ratio.
The result is unique riding precision
and a tremendously rapid response to rider
input. The fantastic weight distribution
of 49% front, 51% rear, also contributes
to this.
- Showa 43 mm upside-down fork with adjustable
preload and adjustable hydraulic rebound
and compression damping.
- Sachs rear monoshock, with adjustable
preload and adjustable hydraulic rebound
damping. Aprilia Progressive System (APS)
linkage.
- Brembo brakes with sintered pads front
and rear and Freudenberg brake lines (with
performance and quality equal to metal
braided lines).
- Removable aluminium saddle mount frame.
- Aluminium dashboard mounting.
- Aluminium footrest mountings.
- Ergonomic passenger grab handle with
spoiler function, perfectly integrated
into the tail.
- Digital-analog multi-function dashboard
incorporating injection system self-diagnostics
and a 40 memory chronometer operated by
the passing signal (headlight flasher).
- Multi-focal headlight cluster designed
using free form 3-D technology. Manufactured
in special plastic for lightness and optimum
weight distribution at a point critical
to ridability. The headlight beam is easily
adjustable vertically and horizontally.
The unit uses three H7 55 Watt halogen
bulbs arranged as two high beams at the
top and one low beam at the bottom. There
is also a practical knob inside the windshield
to quickly and easily adjust beam height.
This Aprilia "Light Sports" can mould
its personality to suit that of its rider
with the addition of items from the wide
range of original Aprilia accessories
designed to enhance both sides of the
SL 1000 FALCO's character.
- Sachs adjustable steering damper
- Panniers complete with mounting rack
- Tank bag
- Remote adjustment kit for the rear monoshock
- Stick-on tank protector kit.
- Engine - Longitudinal 60° V twin four
stroke, with patented AVDC system (Anti-Vibration
Double Countershaft)
- Fuel - 95 RON lead-free
- Cooling - Liquid cooling with three-way
pressurised circuit. Double radiator.
Circuit capacity 2.6 litres.
- Bore and stroke - 97 x 67.5 mm
- Displacement - 997.62 cc
- Compression ratio - 10.8:1
- Valve timing - Double overhead cam with
mixed gear/chain timing drive, four valves
per cylinder.
- Maximum torque at crankshaft - 9.75
kgm (95.6 Nm) at 7,000 r.p.m.
- Fuel injection - Integrated electronic
engine management system. Indirect multi-point
electronic injection. 51 mm diameter throttle
bodies.
- Ignition - Digital electronic ignition
with TSI (Twin Spark Ignition) with two
spark plugs per cylinder. Ignition timing
integrated in the injection control system.
- Starting - Electric starter
- Lubrication - Dry sump with separate
oil reservoir, double trochoidal pump
with oil cooler. Circuit capacity 4 litres.
- Gearbox - 6 speed. Transmission ratios:
- 1st - 35/14 (2.5)
- 2nd - 28/16 (1.75)
- 3rd - 26/19 (1.368)
- 4th - 24/22 (1.091)
- 5th - 22/23 (0.957)
- 6th - 23/27 (0.852)
- Clutch - Multiple disk in oil bath with
patented PPC power-assisted hydraulic
control
- Primary drive - Straight toothed gears.
Transmission ratio: 60/31 (1.935)
- Final drive - Chain. Transmission ratio:
41/16
- Frame - Sloping parallel Double Twin
Beam frame in aluminium-magnesium alloy.
Removable aluminium alloy saddle mount
frame.
- Front suspension - Showa 43 mm upside-down
fork. External adjustment system for rebound
and compression and spring preload. 120
mm wheel travel.
- Rear suspension - Aluminium alloy swing-arm.
APS (Aprilia Progressive System) linkage.
Sachs hydraulic monoshock with adjustment
for preload and rebound dampening.
- Wheel travel - 130 mm.
- Brakes - Front: Brembo double floating
disk in stainless steel, Ø 320 mm. Calliper
with four differential 34 and 30 mm pistons.
Sintered brake pads. Freudenberg brake
lines.
- Rear - Stainless steel disk, Ø 220 mm.
Calliper with two 32 mm pistons. Freudenberg
brake lines.
- Wheels - Brembo aluminium alloy, 5 spoke.
- Front - 3.50 x 17"
- Rear - 6.00 x 17"
- Tyres - Radial tubeless;
- Front - 120/70 ZR 17
- Rear - 180/55 ZR 17
- Battery/Alternator - 12V 14 Ah/400 W
- Dimensions - Maximum length: 2,050 mm.
- Maximum width - 736 mm (at handlebars)
- Maximum height - 1,210 mm (at windshield)
- Seat height - 815 mm (suspension fully
extended)
- Handlebar height - 888 mm (at bar ends)
- Wheelbase - 1,415 mm
- Trail - 100 mm
- Steering angle - 24.5°
- Tank Capacity - 21 litres, 4 litre reserve
- Colours - Olympic Bronze/Darkness Black
Flamingo Red/Deep Black
- Accessories - Panniers kit complete
with mounting rack, tank bag complete
with mounting kit, Sachs adjustable steering
damper, stick-on tank protector kit, remote
monoshock adjustment kit.
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