Ariel and the Ace R

Everytime I read something about Ariel, I always get fascinated about how this company approaches design and comes up with amazing pieces of engineering. These pieces are obviously functional and beautiful at the same time they can be used for extreme fun or simply for you to stop have a look and admire that machine for hours. Ariel is one of those companies that releases something in really low numbers, so if you are lucky enough to get one (whatever it is: an Atom, Nomad or an Ace) please I urge you to show it around ;). Now for some Ariel facts that come directly from their website:



Innovation. Passion. Daring. Since their first motorcycle in 1901 Ariel have been synonymous with breaking the rules. Minerva, Square 4, Red Hunter, Arrow; all revolutionary in their way. Unconventional and brilliant. And now, over a century later, the Ariel Ace. Following that Ariel tradition but looking firmly at today and into the future. Retro isn't a word in the Ariel dictionary. And Ariel understand the passion, your passion, for motorcycles. Why? Because they're motorcyclists too. Through and through. They ride, they compete, they love and they cherish. So they understand that a motorcycle is more than transport, more than speed and handling. It's an emotion. Inside you. And if you're not a motorcyclist you won't get it. But if you are, you'll understand the Ace.



At the heart of each Ace – that aluminium perimeter frame. Recognisably Ariel, remarkably ingenious. Milled from solid billet; 70 hours of machining time; welded by hand; hard anodised; to form a piece of engineering that is a structural masterpiece but also a work of art. The beauty in a piece of machining, the thought, the care and the precision that has gone into every single compnent. And again, because you love motorcycles, you'll understand.



Ariel power? 

Honda, of course. Used to extremes in the Ariel Atom and now the Nomad. Proven on two wheels millions of times, from commuting to racing, from touring to your favourite stretch of road. Dependable, reliable, exact power. V4, 1237cc, 173bhp. Enough to propel you to 165mph if you're in the mood or cruise along if you're in another. The Ace is designed to fit you and what you want to do; not the other way round. ABS, switchable traction control and shaft drive as standard. Dual Clutch Transmission as option. Choose the manual gearbox and shift yourself or choose the DCT and press a button, or just put it on Auto and let it do it for you. Honda engineering, Ariel tuning, quality second to none. Plus an exhaust note that will make you grin every time you start the bike

The Specs from an Ariel Ace:

ENGINE
76 degree 1237cc Unicam Honda V4
Bore 81mm x 60mm. Throttle by wire

POWER
173 BHP @ 10,000 rpm
Torque 131Nm @ 8750 rpm

GEARBOX
6 speed manual sequential. Switchable traction control

FUEL
12 litres

EXHAUST
Stainless steel exhaust

CHASSIS
Anodised machined and welded aluminium frame

SUSPENSION
Front Showa 43mm adjustable cartridge type telescopic forks
Rear Pro link single sided swing arm. Showa adjustable damper.

BRAKING
Front Twin 320mm floating discs with 6 piston radial calipers
Rear Single 276mm floating disc with 2 piston sliding caliper
Electronic ABS front and rear

WHEELS
Front 17x3.5. Rear 17x6.

TYRES
Front 120/70ZR17. Rear 190/50ZR17

INSTRUMENTS
Digital LCD display with gear indicator, datalogging capability

LIGHTING
LED headlamp, LED brake/stop lamp, LED indicators

BODYWORK
Composite

DIMENSIONS
Seat height 745mm
Wheelbase 1541mm

PERFORMANCE
0 -60 mph 3.1 seconds (0-100kph)
Top speed 165mph (265kph)


Now For the newly released news:


British brand Ariel has announced a sportier version of its Ace motorbike, calling it the Ariel Ace R. Based on a tuned 1,237cc Unicam Honda V4 engine, Ariel says the Ace R will offer a "substantial increase in power over the standard Ace".

Just 10 bikes will be made and more details will be available when the bike makes its public debut at the Motorcycle Live 2016 show from November 19-27. The limited edition bikes are expected to have unique colour scheme and specification.

"We'll release the full specification at the show but I can say that the R has a lot of carbon, a lot of machined aluminium and a lot of power," said Tom Siebert, head of the Ariel Ace Team.

I can't wait to see one on the road, I mean its limited to 10 bikes, its like a gem if you see one riding! :)