Potential new owner

Hi,

I ride an Aprilia Falco 1000 and have really loved it but I'm after something a little more 'unhinged' I suppose, something that really handles well. I've loved the v-twin torque and thunder too. Now, I did try the search function but what I'm looking for is a buyer's guide. My questions would be fairly typical...

What is the reliability really like?
What is the servicing like cost-wise from a dealer and can you do much yourself with no bother? I've had nightmares bleeding brakes before and my Falco has a dry sump so is a pig to do an oil change if you don't know what you're doing.
How long can you get from a rear tyre?
Are there any essential upgrade to make the bike 'right' or are upgrades generally icing on the cake?
How well does it cope with British winters? Salt, grime, dark and wet.
What sorts of things should I look for when buying and how critical are the key areas?

Please feel free to point me to other threads or chip in with any advice!

Thanks,

Mark
Exeter, Devon, UK.

What is the reliability really like? I've had 2, one black and one orange(the fast one). Always I had some issue with the black SD and so far not one issue yet on the Orange. 28k on my odometer.
What is the servicing like cost-wise from a dealer and can you do much yourself with no bother? $95/hour labour, so do as much as you can by yourself. It takes a bend around the learning curve, but there is EVERYTHING you need to know right here.
I've had nightmares bleeding brakes before and my Falco has a dry sump so is a pig to do an oil change if you don't know what you're doing.Super easy on the brembos, nothing to it
How long can you get from a rear tyre?depends of course, but Id say aside from tracking, we all pretty much ride like asshats form hell. Michelin PS 3's get me 5-6K
Are there any essential upgrade to make the bike 'right' or are upgrades generally icing on the cake?http://www.superduke.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=16897
How well does it cope with British winters? Salt, grime, dark and wet.Dunno, My weather hardly changes its like totally rad in Cali
What sorts of things should I look for when buying and how critical are the key areas?http://www.superduke.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=16897

Please feel free to point me to other threads or chip in with any advice!Buy a Tuono, it will be more familiar to you and has what you are looking for

Buy one and see.
You'll get all sorts of candified comments around here, but truth be told every niggling thing has been experianced by all on this site and we ALL agree that the pains of ownership (and there can be many) are worth fourteen twists of this domino grioped throttle.
Two thousand on a rear is much closer to a truth. Buy a slipper clutch and some loud exhaust and get ready to swear that Falco was the perfect learner for a real bike.

.......the problem starts when you own one


........What the hell do I get next ?


which changes to..... what do I get as well ?............its a keeper



They wear well .....if it looks tatty ....it must have had a really hard life ...(I ride my SD all year road and track...and it cleans up well) for the roads around the SW its as good as it gets...you can set the suspension up to cope with crap roads (6" of travel) or the track

Mods make a huge difference and really wake it up (See below)

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=16897

The SDR is more radical .....more top end less midrange and more track focused....less road friendly

Down side - mpg, tank size on mk1 SD.............er..........

You need to road test one