| Sunday, December 1, 2002 |
04:50 - Missed Opportunity
http://www.apriliausa.com/ridezone/ing/models/ridefr.htm
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Why do I get the feeling that I missed out on being able to get an Aprilia SL1000 Falco in one of those solid colors it came in when it was introduced-- blue, or silver, or black, or yellow, or that lustrous deep red?
Nowadays, two years later, it seems that there's only the "R" model, which is distinguished from its non-R predecessor by being decalled all to hell. What's become of the thick silvery double-bar frame member that stood out from the body-color panels like a pair of epaulettes (or like that sash thing Mayor Quimby wears)? What's happened to the shiny symmetrical exhausts? what's happened to the sense of unity and purpose and red-haired Italian supermodel flair? It's all been broken up like the side of a naval cruiser under jagged camouflage paint. Every piece of exposed metal-- which used to be what gave the design so much style-- has now been powder-coated to a dull blackish gray, and now the only motorcycle that has ever really captured my eye like one of those pointy hook latches that used to dangle from screen doors and would fly up whenever you banged the door shut... seems to have melted into sportbike anonymity.
Ah well-- maybe this means I have to look in the used market for a 2000-01 model, which could save me some good money. But who'd be willing to part with one of these specimens?
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