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The Ariel Ace is a 2014
Ariel has a "long-standing relationship with Honda", who were sufficiently impressed with Ariel's
sports
Sport is a physical activity or game, often competitive and organized, that maintains or improves physical ability and skills. Sport may provide enjoyment to participants and entertainment to spectators. The number of participants in ...
motorcycle
A motorcycle (motorbike, bike; uni (if one-wheeled); trike (if three-wheeled); quad (if four-wheeled)) is a lightweight private 1-to-2 passenger personal motor vehicle Steering, steered by a Motorcycle handlebar, handlebar from a saddle-style ...
that is manufactured by the British Ariel Motor Company
Ariel Motor Company Limited is a British, low-volume performance motor vehicle manufacturing company in Crewkerne, in Somerset, England.
History
The company was founded by Simon Saunders in 1991 as Solocrest Ltd. with a concept of modernizing ...
in Crewkerne
Crewkerne ( ) is a town and electoral ward in south Somerset, England, southwest of Yeovil and east of Chard. The civil parish of West Crewkerne includes the hamlets of Coombe, Woolminstone and Henley, and borders the county of Dorset to the s ...
, Somerset
Somerset ( , ), Archaism, archaically Somersetshire ( , , ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel, Gloucestershire, and Bristol to the north, Wiltshire to the east ...
, England. It uses the V4 engine
A V4 engine is a four-cylinder piston engine where the cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V engine, V configuration.
The V4 engine is less common compared to straight-four engines. However, V4 engines have been used in au ...
from the Honda VFR1200
The Honda VFR1200F is the 7th generation Honda sport touring, sport touring motorcycle from the Honda VF and VFR, VF and VFR line motorcycles powered by a Transverse engine, transverse mounted V4 engine. The VFR1200F has several new technologies i ...
.
It is the Ariel marque's first new motorcycle in more than 50 years.
Design
Ariel has a "long-standing relationship with Honda", who were sufficiently impressed with Ariel's Atom
Atoms are the basic particles of the chemical elements. An atom consists of a atomic nucleus, nucleus of protons and generally neutrons, surrounded by an electromagnetically bound swarm of electrons. The chemical elements are distinguished fr ...
sports car
A sports car is a type of automobile that is designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as Automobile handling, handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and Auto racing, racing capability. Sports cars originated in ...
to allow them to use their VFR engine in the Ace. The V4 engine is suspended from "a huge, bridge-like aluminium frame" that resembles a trellis frame
A motorcycle frame is a motorcycle's core structure. It supports the engine, provides a location for the steering and motorcycle suspension, rear suspension, and supports the rider and any passenger or luggage. Also attached to the frame are the ...
in appearance. Trellis frames are usually fabricated from welded tubes, such as on the Ducati Monster
The Ducati Monster is a Types of motorcycles#Standard, standard, or naked bike, motorcycle designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi and produced by Ducati in Bologna, Italy, since 1991. In 2005, Monster sales accounted for over half of Ducati's worldwide ...
, as well as for the chassis of the Atom. The Ace's frame, however, is not made from welded steel tube; rather the frame sides are machined from a solid aluminium billet. This gives the frame's diagonal stiffeners their distinctive triangular vee section, rather than the usual round-section tube.
The Ariel Ace comes with a choice of two alternative front suspensions; either a conventional upside-down telescopic fork
A telescopic fork is a form of motorcycle front suspension whose use is so common that it is virtually universal. The telescopic fork uses fork tubes and sliders which contain the springs and Shock absorber, dampers.
The main advantages of the ...
or Ariel's own girder fork. Rear suspension uses a single-sided swingarm
A swingarm ( or swinging arm), originally known as a swing fork or pivoted fork, is a single or double sided mechanical device which attaches the rear wheel of a motorcycle to its body, allowing it to pivot vertically. The main component of the ...
. The final-drive is a shaft-drive.
An unusual feature is that the rider's knees do not grip a shaped fuel tank; instead, one's knees are alongside the frame, which is rather less comfortable.
Customization
Bikes can be ordered from the factory with various options, and upgraded over time. Options include front and rear suspension, handlebars, bodywork, fuel tank size, exhaust, wheels, seat, footrests, colors and finishes.Reception
Roland Brown, writing in ''The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...
'', concludes that the Ace is a "dramatically styled, cleverly engineered and enjoyably powerful V4 roadster that returns the renowned Ariel marque to motorcycling in impressive fashion". Jensen Beeler, writing in ''Asphalt and Rubber'', dubbed it "the most expensive Honda you will ever come across" noting its exclusivity. Loz Blain in ''Gizmag'' called it "one of the best looking motorcycles I've ever seen", also noting the £20,000 price puts it out of reach for many riders.
''Gizmag'' and ''Jalopnik
Static Media Inc., the business name of 7Hops.com Inc., is an American internet company established in 2012, incorporated in Delaware, and based in Indianapolis. It operates ZergNet, a content recommendation business that promotes paid content ...
'' both noted the unique customization options available to create a cruiser, fully faired sportbike, or naked bike around a common frame and powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the powertrain comprises the main components that generate engine power, power and deliver that power to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the internal combustion engine, engine, transmission (mechanics), trans ...
; the latter publication called it an "adult Lego
Lego (, ; ; stylised as LEGO) is a line of plastic construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. Lego consists of variously coloured interlocking plastic bricks made of acrylonitri ...
set".
A review in ''Road & Track
''Road & Track'' (stylized as ''R&T'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine first published 1947. It is owned by Hearst Magazines and is published six times per year. The editorial offices are located in New York City.
History
''Road ...
'' compared the design to that of the Atom sports car, calling it "purposeful" but "not particularly pretty".
See also
* List of Ariel motorcyclesReferences
External links
* * {{YouTube, eeeuaETDlKA, Bike magazine tests the Ariel Ace (''Bike
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, with two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.
B ...
'' magazine, 27 August 2014)
Ariel motorcycles
Motorcycles introduced in 2014