Aprilia SL 1000 Falco 2002 — Specifications

When Noale has a V-twin as sharp as the one from the RSV, it would be a shame to limit it to a single purpose. That is exactly the reasoning Aprilia followed in developing the Aprilia SL 1000 Falco, a machine conceived to broaden the range of applications for this 997.6 cc engine without neutering it. The result is an unclassifiable motorcycle — not truly a pure sportbike, not truly a grand tourer, but something in between with its own case to make.

The V2 borrowed from the RSV was reworked to favor mid-range torque, where riders spend most of their time on open roads. The outcome is 95.6 Nm at 7,000 rpm, delivering a crisp availability without having to systematically rev past 9,000 rpm to feel the bike come alive. The 118 horsepower peak at 9,250 rpm nonetheless reassures as to the machine's potential on more dynamic sections. With a claimed top speed of 240 km/h and a wet weight of 219 kg, the Aprilia SL 1000 Falco specs leave no room for ambiguity: this is not a lazy roadster.

The chassis is one of the Falco's most convincing visual arguments. The twin-spar aluminum-magnesium alloy frame gives the bike a thoroughbred, almost surgical look, logically complemented by the inverted fork and single shock absorber with 130 mm of travel. The lines lean toward café racer without quite being one, which explains the recurring comparisons on forums to the Aprilia SL 1000 Falco café racer or fighter style. It is slender for a liter bike, with a short 1,415 mm wheelbase that promises crisp handling through corners. It is no coincidence that Aprilia SL 1000 Falco reviews so often return to the riding pleasure found on mountain roads.

Where things get complicated is for the passenger. Rear footpegs exist, as does a pillion seat, but the whole setup hardly invites a co-rider over long distances. The rider, however, benefits from a position less radical than on the RSV — wrists are not splayed as on a pure hypersport. The 21-liter tank provides decent range, and the comprehensive instrumentation avoids unpleasant surprises on the road. Versatility is present, but only partial.

Facing the Suzuki TLS and the Honda VTR 1000, the Falco plays the card of Italian style and engine character at 9,999 euros. The competition is not without its strengths, particularly in wind protection where the Falco shows its limits for regular sport-GT use. Those looking for a used Aprilia SL 1000 Falco often reach the same conclusion: this is an enthusiast's motorcycle, built for those who accept a few compromises in exchange for a strong character. For the Aprilia SL 1000 Falco derestiction, the versions limited to 73 hp hint at a potential that Noale's V-twin unleashes without restraint once the restrictions are removed. A rider's choice, not a tourist's.