Ariel has a rich history in motorcycling going back to 1901, and was famous for the Square Four and Hunters, bikes capable of reaching 165 km/h back in the fifties. The name was revived in 1999 as Ariel Motor Company Ltd, manufacturer of the minimalist Honda Civic Type R-powered Atom.
The small-volume success of the Atom allowed Ariel to launch the Ace in 2014, a bespoke motorcycle that could be designed exactly as the customer wished. Working on the same exposed trellis frame concept as the Atom, the frame is milled from solid billets of aluminium, a process requiring 70 hours of machining time.
The frame is further hand-welded and hard anodised, and mated to its Honda-built engine, a 1,237 cc V4 that puts out 173 hp. The gearbox is a six-speed unit that had its origins in the Honda VFR1200, a seriously capable sports-tourer. ABS brakes are standard, as is traction control.
Where the Ace differs from almost any other motorcycle you could buy is the staggering list of options available. There isn’t a single ‘look’ or ‘style’ for the Ace. The owner can specify the bike as a cruiser, a naked bike, a streetfighter, a sports-tourer or a sports bike. The only common items are the frame, engine and gearbox, and the limit is effectively the owner’s imagination.
The options list continues with four different seats and three different fuel tanks. Two fork types are available, a USD telescopic or a girder-style fork, the latter of which is machined and forged out of aluminium.
The owner can then specify adjustable footrests, different handlebars, dampers, wheels, body parts, exhausts, fairings, even different steering head angles. This ensures that no two Ace motorcycles will ever look the same.
Manufactured in Ariel’s works in Somerset, UK, 100 to 150 Aces are made each year, following the path set by the Atom. Owners are encouraged to return to the factory for upgrades and modifications, something that is in common with Atom owners who keep their cars and embark on a journey of continuous improvements to their ride.
It is hard to put a price on the Ariel Ace, since no two Aces are alike. It has been reported in the motorcycling press that prices start at £20,000 (RM130,000) and rapidly ascend into the stratosphere.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
“the Honda VFR1200, a seriously capable sports-tourer”
The VFR1200 have been withdrawn from UK police service because of several fatal accidents at high speeds. It’s not a “seriously capable” bike, but a seriously dangerous bike… ;)
I think you may have your Honda V4s confused. The motorcycle I feel you are referring to is the ST1300 P-model, with the engine located longitudinally in the frame. The VFR1200’s engine is transversely mounted.
The ‘several fatal accidents’ you mention was actually a single fatality at 177 km/h involving a Merseyside police constable. The Crown coroner wrote to chief constables across the UK warning them the accident was caused by the bike’s handling, and not rider error. This was reported by the BBC in April 2007.
Honda investigated the incident, and determined it was caused, in part, by the placement of the police radio on the rear of the bike, as well as weight carried in the panniers, upsetting the bike’s center of gravity and biasing the weight rearwards. This caused a weave in the rear wheel, infamously called the “Pan weave”. An advisory was issued to place any equipment or cargo on the ST1300 with care, and not to exceed the weight capacity of the panniers.
As for the ST1300 being withdrawn from police service, several police forces in the UK and the US, have taken ownership of the PA-model since 2010. The Malaysian police also use the ST1300 for escort duties.
With regards to the VFR1200, many riders were expecting the big VF to return to its sports roots, but Honda chose to bias its design towards touring, in an effort to compete with the BMW RT. This was a disappointment to many, leading to the VFR1200 not meeting sales figures. This does not detract from the competence of the bike as a whole, provided Honda do something about the somewhat thirsty engine.
New to bike? Try searching for Kawasaki Ninja H2 / H2R… You will be amazed…
H2R not for newbies not even here in Malaysia yet just the dream off most 1000cc owners ….beginners beli ER-6F/N dulu, after frustrated off the bike sound then cari ZX10R….
was thinking about either purchasing a ninja 250 or a duke 250. what do you think?
I lesen moto pun tade hehe. tapi nak apply B full teruih in the near future
quater liter buy r25 better .
honestly i’m new to the world of two wheels. but am attracted to it. how’s the r25? the two bikes i mentioned is because of the affordable pricing.
I like this bike better than most naked or street fighter bikes. The concept is interesting. What a pity, this kind of bike is not available in Malaysia.