Aprilia SL1000 Falco, also known as SL Mille, is a 60^o V-Twin light motorcycle made by Aprilia between 1999 and 2005. It proved to be a unpopular motorcycle as regards sales. Many reasons have been put forward for this even though it was a reliable and powerful sports bike. One of the favourite reasons was that it was neither fair nor fowl. It had all the features that would be expected by a race replicate, including a lap timer, and extreme ride position (though not as extreme as Mille), but used a slightly deturned version of the RSV Mille engine. People wanting the race replica features bought the excellent Aprilia RSV Mille. Those who wanted a comfortable road sports bike would have found the Falco ride position too uncomfortable. Designed to compete agains the Honda VTR1000 the Suzuki TL 1000 and the various Ducati sport tourers. In head to head competiton the Aprilia Falco showed itself as a far better bike, albeit a few thousand dollars more expensive. The fact that people's taste changed and shifted towards standard or "naked" bikes is as much a reason that the Falco didnt continue production as anything. Of the competitors mentioned only the Honda is still on sale in 2008.

The Falco never broke out of the Mille's shadow, unlike the Aprilia Tuono which also had the Mille engine but in a very different type of motorcycle. Despite this the Falco is rated very highly by owners and by the motorcycle press, given 4 out of 5 stars on every level by Motorcycle News.

The only change made to the motorcycle in the time it was produced was to change the rear shock absorber after the first year. The Falco has Brembo brakes.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions
Max Length(including rear mudgard extension)	2065mm(2170mm)
Max Width(front part of fairing included)	750mm(1180mm)
Seat Height	820mm
Distance between centres	1425mm
Min Ground Clearance	140mm
Weight ready for starting	222kg
Engine Specification
Engine Type	60o longitudinal, V Twin, 4 Stroke, DOHC
Engine Size	996cc
Bore / Stroke	97 mm / 76.5 mm
Compression Ratio	11.4 +/- 1.5:1
Starter	Electric
Cooling	Liquid
Lubrication	dry pan with separate oil tank and cooling radiator.
Clutch	Multidisc in oil bath, with hydraulic control
Transmission
Type	6 speed, left foot change mechanism
Capacity
Fuel including reserve	19 litres
Fuel reserve	4.5 +/- 1
Engine Oil	Oil change 3700 cm3 / oil and filter change 3900 cm3
Fork Oil Per Rod	520 +/- 2.5 cm3
Coolant	2.5 litres
Seats	2
Max Load (rider + pillion + luggage)	182 kg

References

1. Aprilia SL1000 Falco User Manual