clutch lines. ABS is now fitted as stock, together
with switchable traction control.
Besides its trademark carbon wheels, South
African-based BST is also responsible for provid-
ing the bodywork on the Ace R which is entirely
made from carbon fiber, saving a claimed 65
percent in weight for each component over
the standard Ariel Ace. In a breakthrough step
shared with BST's same part on the new Norton
V4 launched the same day, the fuel tank is also
made in carbon fiber for the first time on a pro-
duction street bike, which is Kevlar-reinforced
and chemically coated internally to meet fuel
resistance standards. The seat on the Ace
R is also uprated to a padded version of the
Ace's throne, developed by the Ariel team
following extensive testing and customer
feedback on ergonomics. Three levels of
footpegs are also available—low, mid and
high—additionally featuring fore and aft
adjustment.
"Every vehicle we build is unique to each
customer and on the Ace we have built in as
much adjustability as possible, right down
to the toe peg," explained Tom Siebert,
Ariel's General Manager. "Fitting each bike
to its rider is something we pride ourselves
on as a low volume manufacturer, and we
take time to ensure every Ariel is right for its
owner."
But the real step-up in performance on
the Ace R comes from the uprated Honda
V4 engine, which has been tuned to deliver
201 bhp and 143Nm of torque (up from 173
bhp/129Nm in stock form) by Honda SIC
Moto3 Racing Team tuner Mark "Brains"
Woodage of MJW Specialists in Sheffield.
Delivering what Ariel claims is "an out-
standing level of performance throughout
the rev range," the Ace R's tuned V4 Honda
engine recalls the Japanese company's
legendary—but less powerful—world title-win-
ning RC30 and RC45 V4 Superbikes. Cam-
shafts especially developed by Woodage to
suit the Honda Unicam engine configuration are
coupled with raised compression, revised tim-
ing, extensive cylinder head work and lightened
internals to take the Ace R motor to over 200 bhp
with a strong, smooth power curve. The Ace R
takes the stock Ace's already impressive perfor-
mance one stage further with a 0-60mph time
of 2.7 seconds, and a top speed of 185 mph. To
further improve performance, the Ace R is fitted
with a Translogic Quickshifter system, as used by
several World Superbike and MotoGP teams.
Alan Cathcart
VOL. 53 ISSUE 47 NOVEMBER 29, 2016 P29
