Like the RSV Mille, the Falco is delivered restricted. Very restricted, like 84 HP vs 106 HP. My dealer did the derestriction at 600 miles for me, but I took a few pictures that should let you do it yourself. Click on any image to enlarge it.
To derestrict the Falco, you need to clip a logic wire on the ECU, and remove a restricting plate in the airbox. You should be warned that the intake noise will greatly increase after derestriction, as will the torque and power. Unlike the RSV Mille, there is no modification necessary to the exhausts. The detailed procedure used to be outlined at Apriliaworld.com, but that site seems to have fallen off the map as of 18-Dec-2002. I've given some Falco specific notes below, and anyone with the a link to the old Mille instructions, please send them along to [email protected].
To get at the ECU wire, remove the passenger saddle (or cover) and the driver's saddle. In the space between the two saddle openings (in front of the toolkit area and behind the battery), a rubber covered box will be visible. Lift the four rubber tabs on the box and pull the flexible cover out the passenger area. The metal shielded ECU box will now be visible, with two connectors in the front. The wire that was clipped on mine was blue, with a green stripe, on the smaller connector closest to the shift lever. There are several blue and green wires. On my bike, the wire enters the connector on the lower row, leftmost of all the other wires when facing the ECU. After you clip the wire, tape or shrink wrap the ends so that it cannot ground to the frame.
| Step One: Cut and insulate this wire |
|
To remove the airbox restrictor, you'll need to lift the tank. I give a description of this elsewhere, but it's pretty self-explanatory. Open the airbox, remove the air filter and underneath you'll see a circular plastic bung with a small, one-inch opening. Retaining this bung is a screw from underneath, so you'll need to remove the airbox lower from the inlet air dict by loosening the big hose clamp. See my airbox page for some hints.
|
Step Two: Remove the intake restrictor plate from beneath the air filter element |
That's it. Buy a case of earplugs, and enjoy the power.
Update for 2002: I've been asked about procedure on newer motorcycles. According to ApriliaForum's site, for the 2002 Falco the derestriction procedure has not changed. For the 2002 Mille, they say do not cut the wire any more, but there are also additional air intake modifications to make. I haven't heard any reports on 2003 models yet. The Futura and Caponord do not follow the above procedures for any year.
Go back to the Falco home page.