Ariel Ace
{{EngvarB|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox motorcycle
|name = Ariel Ace
|image = Ariel Ace.jpg
|caption = Ariel Ace with girder fork
|aka =
|manufacturer = Ariel Motor Co
|parent_company =
|production = 2014–present
|assembly =
|predecessor =
|successor =
|class = naked bike
|engine = Honda {{convert|1237|cc|abbr=on}}, 4-valve liquid-cooled 76° V4 engine
|bore_stroke = {{convert|81|x|60|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|compression =
|top_speed = {{Convert|170|mph|abbr=on}} (estimated)
|power = {{convert|173|hp|abbr=on}} (claimed)
|torque = {{convert|72|lb·ft|abbr=on}} (claimed)
|ignition =
|transmission = 6-speed sequential manual, shaft-drive, dry-clutch, or 6-speed dual-clutch automatic
|frame = Aluminium trellis
|suspension = Front: Girder fork or telescopic fork
Rear: monoshock
|brakes = Front: Dual disc, 6-pot Nissin caliper
Rear: Single disc
|tires = Front: {{convert|17|in|abbr=on}}
Rear: {{convert|17|in|abbr=on}}
|rake_trail = 21.8°–28.4° (adjustable){{citation|title=Ariel ACE specs | author=Jesse Kiser | date=30 June 2014 | work=RideApart |url=https://rideapart.com/articles/first-look-ariels-new-motorcycle?page=2}}
|wheelbase = {{convert|1541–1563|mm|abbr=on}}
|length =
|width =
|height =
|seat_height =
|dry_weight =
|wet_weight = {{convert|230|kg|abbr=on}}{{citation|title=First ride: Ariel Ace review – Who knew a VFR1200 engine could sound this good?|date=20 July 2014|first=Steve |last=Farrell|work=Visor Down|url=http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-first-rides/first-ride-ariel-ace-review/25291.html}}
|fuel_capacity =
|oil_capacity =
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius =
|related =
|sp =
}}
The Ariel Ace is a 2014 sports motorcycle that is manufactured by the British Ariel Motor Company in Crewkerne, Somerset, England. It uses the {{cvt|1200|cc|abbr=on}} V4 engine from the Honda VFR1200.
It is the Ariel marque's first new motorcycle in more than 50 years.{{citation | title=Firm to Make First New Bike in 50 Years | newspaper=Western Gazette |location=Yeovil, UK | date=3 July 2014|via=HighBeam Research | url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-36930129.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329105837/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-36930129.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 March 2015 }}
Design
File:ArielAtom5807.jpg sports car with similar exposed frame]]
Ariel has a "long-standing relationship with Honda",{{cite web |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2014/06/25/ariel-ace-motorcycle-official//|last=Joseph |first=Noah |title=Ariel gets back into bikes with customizable Ace motorcycle| publisher=Autoblog|accessdate=30 March 2017|date=24 June 2014 }} who were sufficiently impressed with Ariel's Atom sports car 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 in appearance.{{citation
|work=Asphalt and Rubber
|title=Ariel Ace – A Very Expensive Honda from England
|date=25 June 2014
|author=Jensen Beeler
|url=http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/ariel-ace/
}} Trellis frames are usually fabricated from welded tubes, such as on the Ducati Monster, as well as for the chassis of the Atom.{{cite news
|title=Ariel Ace review
|author=Roland Brown
|date=4 October 2014
|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph
|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorbikes/11140727/Ariel-Ace-review.html
|title=Ariel reveals premium motorcycle: Makers of the super-fast Atom sports car have produced a bike that will cost around £20,000 and features a skeletal frame reminiscent of the Atom
| journal=Autocar
| author=Steve Cropley
| date= 25 June 2014
| url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/goodwood-festival-speed/ariel-reveals-premium-motorcycle
}} 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 or Ariel's own girder fork. Rear suspension uses a single-sided swingarm. 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.{{citation|title=Ariel Ace (2015): new motorbike from makers of Atom
| author=Jonny Edge | work=Car | date=25 June 2014 | url=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/Ariel-Ace-2015-the-new-motorbike-from-the-makers-of-the-Atom/}}
Reception
Roland Brown, writing in The Daily Telegraph, 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.{{citation| title=Ariel Ace: The massively configurable motorcycle platform | author=Loz Blain | date=27 June 2014 | work=Gizmag|url=http://www.gizmag.com/ariel-ace-bespoke-motorcycle/32733/}}
Gizmag and Jalopnik both noted the unique customization options available to create a cruiser, fully faired sportbike, or naked bike around a common frame and powertrain; the latter publication called it an "adult Lego set".{{citation|title=The Ariel Ace Is Basically The Adult Lego Set Of Your Motorcycle Dreams | work=Jalopnik | date=25 June 2014| author=Michael Ballaban | url=http://jalopnik.com/the-ariel-ace-is-the-adult-lego-set-of-your-motorcycle-1595808007}}
A review in Road & Track compared the design to that of the Atom sports car, calling it "purposeful" but "not particularly pretty".{{citation| date=8 July 2014 | title=Ariel Ace: a user-friendly, highly-customizable 170 hp motorcycle | first=Alex | last=Kierstein | journal=Road & Track | url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a8305/ariel-ace-motorcycle/}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Ariel Ace}}
- {{Official website|http://www.arielmotor.co.uk}}
- {{YouTube|eeeuaETDlKA|Bike magazine tests the Ariel Ace}} (Bike magazine, 27 August 2014)