Hello Aprilia Friends

[EJP777]

Just joined and wanted to say Hello to all.
I have been an Aprilia fan since they started selling again here in the USA. And have been very impressed with their track wins and street bikes. I've been a Ducati rider for the past 15 years now, and started up an official factory sponsored Ducati Owners Club, here in St. Louis, MO where none existed before, just last January 2008. I was quite enamored by and still am by the SL 1000 Falco. I wanted one so badly, but unfortunately their was no dealer in this city. When I finally found the nearest one, he was in Kansas City, 300 miles due West of me. I thought long and hard about buying that Falco. But, the concern of where I could get parts and get it serviced, just made it impossible at the time. Then, a very small dealer pops up, around 2003, don't ya know carrying Aprilia, along with Kawasaki. Being new, he only had a few bikes and NO Falco. As much as I was considering trying to find a Falco and not knowing they'd be discontinued after 2004 I bought a new 2004 Ducati ST3 Sport Tourer instead. (( This Aprilia dealer looked like they were about to go out of business at any moment and my Ducati dealer has been around for 30 years)). Then the Tuono came out and as much as I love it, I'm just still hooked on the Falco. I'm 52, and not a kid any more. After 22 yrs in the Army and 4 combat tours, I have some bone & spine injuries that really prevent me from enjoying a bike like an RSV. Even the Tuono is too aggressive for me for long rides. I finally sold my Ducati 999 when I couldn't bear to see it collecting dust anymore. So, having sworn off Harley's, which I rode for the first part of my life and which seems to be 95% of the Missouri riders bike of choice, I'm into Italian bikes of the Sport Tour or naked category. I still have a 2005 Monster S4R-S as my around town toy, that has all the upgrades and after market stuff I can find and I'm glad I bought it as I'm not happy at all with the look of the new Monster.
So, Please accept me into your community so I can talk and learn more about Aprilia, from you owners. I'm hoping someday to find a gently used SL 1000 Falco to make my own.