ARIEL ACE (2014 - on) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 170 bhp |
| Seat height: | Low (29.3 in / 745 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (507 lbs / 230 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesAriel has more recently been known for producing quirky-looking space-framed Atom sports cars with fearsome power to weight ratios and superbike levels of acceleration. But now they’re back making bikes. The Ace is a modular concept, so you can have any style you want from the cruiser shown here, to a super naked. Build quality is superb, it comes with a Honda V4 soundtrack to die for and has scintillating performance. It’s the best bike Honda never made.
Riding the Ace for the first time at Goodwood in 2014, it certainly peaked our interest. This is a really well thought out motorcycle, and for a first release, it’s incredible. Despite being made by a car firm, it was already better than many established production bikes at the time and is still an impressive bike today.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineA six-piece aircraft-grade billet aluminium chassis mimics the Ariel Atom’s, takes 70 hours to fabricate and has an adjustable head angle, from 21.8° to 28.4°. The swingarm/shaft drive is from the VFR1200. You can choose any front end on your Ariel, from the standard Showa forks, Ohlins forks, to a milled aluminium girder front end like this, fitted with a fully-adjustable Ohlins TTX shock. The Ace is stable at speed and in fast corners, but it’s slower-steering in the tighter stuff. Ride quality is excellent and other than seeing the linkages bobbing up and down by the clocks, you don’t notice the girder front end, which is a compliment to this unusual suspension layout.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Ariel’s 170bhp V4 Honda VFR1200 never got to shine in the donor sports touring bike, but in the Ace it’s electrifying. There’s oceans of torque and mountains of power. You can choose between manual or DCT gearbox.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueFamed for their obsessive attention to detail in their cars, Ariel has lavished the same level of love and care on the Ace. Everything from the Ariel Atom-aping chassis, girder front end, adjustable rearsets, brackets, fasteners, bodywork, LED lights and seat is right out of Bimota’s book of creating mouth-watering exotica. With Honda power and running gear reliability won’t be a worry.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentLike the Ariel Atom the Ace is a low-production, hand-built machine and that comes at a price.
Equipment
Traction control, ABS, traction control, shaft drive and Nissin radial brakes are all standard, but you can choose any level of spec depending on the size of your wallet.
Specs |
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| Engine size | 1237cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 16v, V4 |
| Frame type | Aluminium trellis |
| Fuel capacity | 14.1 litres |
| Seat height | 745mm |
| Bike weight | 230kg |
| Front suspension | Fully adjustable girder or Showa forks |
| Rear suspension | Fully adjustable rear shock |
| Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs with four-piston radial calipers. |
| Rear brake | 276mm single disc with twin-piston caliper. |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 190/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 45 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £117 |
| Annual service cost | - |
| New price | £20,000 |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group |
17 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | One year |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 170 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 95 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 150 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 140 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2015 – Ariel Ace launched
Other versions
Modular concept – customers can choose spec from cruiser style to super naked
Owners' reviews for the ARIEL ACE (2014 - on)
1 owner has reviewed their ARIEL ACE (2014 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your ARIEL ACE (2014 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
Version: Black Edition
Year: 2023
Stunning, the v4 engine is an absolute peach, the engineering is just a work of art and the overall fit and finish top level. Above all it’s a blast to ride and great fun
All good components, brakes very good but miss corner abs which you would expect given the price. No ohlins as standard but good suspension seems compliant
V4 sound is stunning and develops strong torque and power everywhere. Great character
Very high quality components and engineering. The fit and finish is above any Ducati or manufacturer I’ve owned, you can really see the love that’s gone into the bike. Early in ownership but no reliability issues
Insurance on a multi bike policy with Ducati insurance is £800, with a Multistrada v4s and a new street triple rs.
Bridgestone sport touring are ok, will switch out for some Michelin ps4 in time.
Buying experience: Ariel are true enthusiasts and really helpful. The factory tour was really impressive with the workmanship, passion and level of engineering that go into the ace, atom or nomad, all different level. Some delays in delivery timeline but made the delivery more special
