New Ariel with VFR1200 motor

Somerset-based two and four-wheeled firm, Ariel, are set to reveal a new Ace Iron Horse model at Motorcycle Live later this month.

Based on the existing Ace muscle cruiser, the new £29,686 Iron Horse will be revealed at the Ariel stand on Saturday, November 16, at Birmingham’s NEC, and has been created as a tribute to the 'Black Ariels' produced between 1926 and 1930.

Much like the rest of the Ace models, the new bike features a CNC machined, hand-welded aluminium frame, which takes one Ariel employee around 70 hours to construct out of seven smaller components. This is taken a step further on the Iron Horse, with the whole thing mirror polished by hand.

Cradled within is a carbon fibre fuel tank, which sits within the main rails of the frame. This, along with the carbon bodywork, is included as a tribute to the early Black models. This is further complemented by the hand-trimmed single seat, also finished in black.

Upfront, the Iron Horse is fitted with Ariel’s trademark girder fork system, which has been polished to match the frame and features a fully-adjustable Öhlins TTX shock. At the back, the polished 17in wheel given greater emphasis by a single-sided aluminium swing arm, again suspended by an Öhlins unit.

Away from the suspension the Iron Horse is powered by the same Honda VFR1200-derived V4 engine as the rest of the Ace range, producing a hefty 173bhp and 95.1ftlb of torque and capable of a claimed top speed of 170mph. Delivering this performance to the rear wheel is a shaft drive system.

As we have come to expect with Ariel, the Iron Horse can be fine-tuned to a customer’s exact preferences, with the chrome carrier fitted behind the riders’ seat replacable with an additional dual seat. What’s more, the handlebars are also available at varied heights to suit each rider.

more pics @ https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/ariel-ace-iron-horse/

 

While I love the fact that the VFR1200 motor is being used in something other than an adventure bike, that thing looks like a Ducati Diavel project that was abandoned halfway through.

 

I'm sure there's a fuel tank in there somewhere, wonder how many liters/gallons it holds.

With this engine and its (apparent) fuel capacity this bike can pass everything but a gas station.