Revealed: all the details of the limited edition, 201bhp, V4 Ariel Ace R!
By Michael Mann
BikeSocial Managing Editor. Content man - reviewer, road tester, video presenter, interviewer, commissioner, organiser. First ride was a 1979 Honda ST70 in the back garden aged 6. Not too shabby on track, loves a sportsbike, worries about helmet hair, occasionally plays golf and squash but enjoys being a father to a 7-year old the most.
18.11.2016
Earlier this month Somerset-based manufacturer Ariel announced the latest version of the Ace – the Ariel Ace R. A limited edition with only 10 bikes being available from Spring 2017 with a price tag of £49,995 + VAT.
Now, on the eve of Motorcycle Live at the NEC where the bike will be displayed for the first time, Ariel have confirmed all the juicy details. Prepare your chequebook or get everything you own listed on eBay because this is worth reading.
The striking Ace R is instantly recognisable by its carbon bodywork, black pearl aluminium frame and gold anodising but it’s the Honda V4 VFR1200 engine that steels the headlines.
Having promised ‘more power and performance over the standard Ace’ Ariel have enlisted the help of MotoGP engine specialist Mark ‘Brains’ Woodage to develop the motor. Special camshafts, modified compression, timing and extensive cylinder head work and lightened internals means the Ace R produces 201BHP and 143 Nm (105.5 ft-lbs) of torque making it the most powerful production naked bike. If 10 counts as ‘production’.
Ariel claim some rather stunning performance figures too, reporting a 0-60mph time approaching 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 185 mph. That’s faster than we had a Yamaha YZF-R1 on a datalogger this summer.
The Ace R has been fitted with the same Translogic Quickshifter as used in MotoGP and World Superbike for seamless full power gear shifts.
The aluminium frame CNC machined from solid billet is lighter than the previous version and each takes 70 hours to create. It needed to be developed to accommodate the considerable increase in power and is finished in a special, black pearlescent and feature the nameplate of the builder of the bike.
Uprated fork springs and unique valving are updated within the adjustable Ohlins ‘Road and Track’ front forks over the standard model and should offer a more precise turn in while the rear damping is provided by an adjustable Ohlins unit too.
BST have made the carbon fibre, super lightweight, 5-spoke wheels with gold centres and which are shod with Dunlop’s Sportmax GP Racer tyres with the stopping power provided by Nissin 320mm dual floating hydraulic discs and 6 piston callipers on the front. The rear brake is a Nissin 276mm disc with 2 piston calliper. Electonic ABS and switchable traction control add the safety element.
The carbon fibre bodywork has a lacquered finish and results in a 65% weight saving over the standard bike and the foot pegs are even adjustable through 3 positions
Tom Siebert, Director of Ariel, said, “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. Fitting each bike to each customer is something we pride ourselves on as a low volume manufacturer and we take our time to make sure every Ariel is right for its owner.”
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