Anyone ridden or know anyone who's ridden one of these? I know it won't go into production until next year but I'd love to learn more about it from 'insiders'. I've read a couple or road tests that sound good.
... I agree but I bet it's rigid as hell! It's quite striking in the flesh. Unique is an overused work but ... Proof of the pudding though, as they say. I wonder how hard it'll be to get a test ride. I phoned the factory today and they said they welcome visitors, so I might see if I can blag a ride soon.
I wish it were! Re fuel ... collateral damage. I won't be using it for commuting or taking kids to school so who cares?
Test rides available in the new year. I'll be there. Just hope I can afford to keep the Multistrada too
Square Four was great in its day I'm sure but I don't think it would pass muster for most bikers today who, as can be witnessed here on occasions, are often extremely demanding of their machines. Assume you've ridden one, TTonup, and can vouch for its all-round excellence? I couldn't live with tiny drum brakes and crap suspension - even on a 45bhp bike! Best thing about it looks to be the generous mudguards. At least you'd avoid getting too much crud over the engine or down your back as you cruised down country lanes at a stately pace wearing your deerstalker. This might have been better though But only 28 of the resurrected design were ever made - in six years before the Healey factory closed in 1977 - so not many people could have agreed. They probably bought Honda CB750s instead. I wonder why? Nostalgia ain't what it used to be is it?
Current production Triumph twins, Nortons, Royal Enfields, and now Brough Superiors and Indians have been designed to show off certain heritage styling cues from ancient bikes which bore the same marque name. Oddly, the Ariel Ace seems to owe nothing at all to any historic Ariel, as far as I can see, except the bare name.
True ... but, styling aside, that nod to modernity (I'm thinking of the engine) may be why the Ariel looks best equipped to meet the demands placed on it by today's riders. I'm sure all those other bikes are a lot of fun to ride, too, in their own way. I just think that the price point of the Ariel, for what you get, is pretty good - especially bearing in mind the level of customisation available and the bike's exclusivity. Only 150-200 will be made so what's the betting the price will rocket if a lot if people put their names down for one - or for the MarkII version that would inevitably follow if that were the scenario. Just saying ...
huh !!,, i did ride one once actually,, all round excellence was not a phrase which came readily to mind,, in fact it was a pig and kept blowing the head gasket as the rear pots continually over heated !! but they did have a good reputation back t then,,, I think ! ps,,, I doubt that the designers ( I use the term loosely ) of that new abomination have ever heard of the original Ariel
Aha, so your "the sq 4, that was a bike" was somewhat ironic. Actually I've spoken to people at the company several times and they seemed quite knowledgeable about all things Ariel so I'm pretty sure they've heard of the Square Four - particularly if its performance was as memorable as you say! All those old bikes were pretty bad I think. They look good as museum pieces or in a collection in the garage but ride them - even occasionally - and I'm sure any affection for them would quickly fade.
