IN
THE
WIND
P28
2017 ARIEL ACE R
LAUNCHES IN UK
N
orton isn't the only historic brand from
Britain's two-wheeled back catalog
to launch a high performance 1200cc V4
model at this year's NEC Show in Birming-
ham, November 19.
Ariel also debuted its new Honda-en-
gined Ace R at the same event—a higher-
spec and considerably more potent version
of the original Ariel Ace—costing $62,405
and powered by the 1237cc V4 engine from
the shaft-drive VFR1200, sourced directly
from Honda, with the option of the Japa-
nese firm's DCT semi-automatic gearbox.
More than 50 production examples of
the bike, that has been characterized as
the "Angry Ant" thanks to the unique looks
of its exoskeletal aluminum frame that's
CNC machined from solid billet, have now
been delivered around the world since it
was launched in 2014, with versions fitted
with both conventional Ohlins telefork front
suspension and Ariel's own unique design
of girder fork. The new Ace R promises
extra performance and an even higher
specification than the already exotic base
model.
Just 10 examples of the Ace R will be built in
total, making it both hyper-exclusive and rare. Pro-
duction of the Ace R will begin in Spring 2017, with
first customer bikes delivered in May.
The Ace R features a revamped lightweight evo-
lution of Ariel's distinctive aluminum chassis, now
with adjustable eccentric head bearings delivering
a more radical default steering head angle of 21.4°
for sharper, quicker steering via the fully adjust-
able Ohlins 43mm Road and Track fork, embrac-
ing uprated springs and unique valving.
Five-spoke BST carbon fiber wheels are fitted
as standard on the Ace R, giving a claimed 50
percent weight savings over the standard Ariel Ace
aluminum wheels, resulting in improved accelera-
tion via reduced rotational inertia, better suspen-
sion compliance due to the reduction in unsprung
weight, and quicker steering thanks to the front
wheel's lower gyroscopic effect.
The Ace R's uprated Nissin brake package
features twin floating 320mm front discs with six-
piston calipers, with a rear 276mm disc with twin-
piston caliper. Goodridge metal hoses and fittings
are used throughout the bike for all brake and
The Angry Ant. There will only
ever be 10 Ariel R's created.
