Top Gear - Ariel Atom V8 vs BMW1000R

[Timmeh:P]

Top Gear Tested the Aerial Atom V8 on their track... They also decided to race it against a BMW 1000R.

The BMW did very well, and was less than a second slower than the Atom. This also means it was the second fastest vehicle around their test track... EVER!!

Here is the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqjgjRsjQhw

And an article on the matchup on MCN: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2011/January/jan2411-s1000rr-second-fastest-ever-round-top-gear-track/

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it (motorcycle hating) Jeremy Clarkson!! :kick:

[EJK]

TIFF!!!!! :-D</10char>

[pritch]

I've seen several of these things lately and this is the only one the car won.

One was a test between a Desmocedici and a late model Ferrari (don't ask).
The same guy owned both. He drove the car, I think a journo with race experience rode the bike. After much theorising about physics and the parts of the track where each would have the advantage it all came to nought. By the time the car got going the bike was gone.

[blackdog]

I would have liked to have seen the beamer get a shot at it with a clear track too

[Edbear]

If I sold the house, I could buy one! :msn-wink:

[\m/]

Actually the S1000RR is the third fastest vehicle around the TG track, they had a Renault F1 around there under a minute a few years ago. I'd like to see how the Atom V8 would go against the Radical SR8LM, battle of the Hayabusa V8s.

[James Deuce]

Ask Niall McKenzie about the likelihood of that having been a fair and representative competition.

Same track, same vehicles, same pilots and no Top Gear label and I'm picking an embarrassingly defeated Atom.

[bogan]

Ask Niall McKenzie about the likelihood of that having been a fair and representative competition.

Same track, same vehicles, same pilots and no Top Gear label and I'm picking an embarrassingly defeated Atom.

is that the rider? I have a feeling he has been offer a large number of encouragements not to answer that question :bleh:

[Cloggy]

What an awesome piece of machinery. :niceone:

[James Deuce]

is that the rider? I have a feeling he has been offer a large number of encouragements not to answer that question :bleh:

No, he did an earlier bike/car comparison for TG and I think it was only 2 years after he won the BSB. He didn't at any point get his knee down, lean further than 20 degrees and is said to have killed and eaten the first Stig before walking off vowing to use Clarkson's head as a pot scourer if the lanky sassenach ever came anywhere near him again.

[YellowDog]

I really did enjoy that. I was suprised at how well the bike did and as has already been said, without the 4 wheeled vehicle in the way, it may well have won the race.

Bang for Buck, bikes are streets ahead :yes:

[Jdogg]

so who else thinks that Tiff is the new stig...sure drives like Tiff :msn-wink:

Edit: apparently is old news...http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/2010/12/17/top-gear-s-new-stig-is-tiff-needell-115875-22788744/ :facepalm:

[MD]

That was great viewing and I reckon the bike gave a great showing, power wheelies out of the turns but why so little lean angle? Which smells of foul play to me. The bike should have been allowed slicks and were the tires warmed up?

Still not a fair comparison. You can walk in to any BMW bike showroom in all major cities and towns around the world and buy a S1000RR. Hundreds of people have done so in the last 12 months. Can't say the same thing about the Atom V8. In fact I'm not sure where the Wgtn Atom showroom is, or Auckland or...

[AllanB]

I thought I read an article months back that Atom was making a V8 out of 2 R1 engines. Is this it?

[Flip]

Yes but saying that I haven't seen a BMW1000R in the flesh yet but I know of two Atoms around my side of Christchurch city probably not the new V8.

I wonder if that V8 is the same as the one in the Caterum 5000 which is two busa motors on a common crank.

Brilliant car, 1000hp per tonne. The car looked to be on road tires also.

Thinking about it logically, the bike did very well. The bike and the car had similar power to weight but almost any car can out brake any bike.

[MD]

I thought I read an article months back that Atom was making a V8 out of 2 R1 engines. Is this it?

Just checked out MCNews and they were present in Oct 10 when this was filmed. They state the Atom V8 used two Hayabusa heads. MCN claim it was fair test. Although they then say the Rider was only given a few laps AS A CAR PASSENGER, to learn the course, then jumped straight on to the bike with no ride time around the track. So how was that fair. Car driver got in practice laps and Bike tires would have been cold.

[cromagnon]

I thought I read an article months back that Atom was making a V8 out of 2 R1 engines. Is this it?

Said that the v8 was two motorcycle engines put together so I guess so, 150k pounds is alot compared to 30k for old Atom, mostly motor and engine costs but what else is there.

Top gear isnt real and all the "races" are fixed, the presenters are more actors than anything else

[\m/]

This is the website for the Atom v8 engine http://www.h1v8.com/ its based on the Hayabusa engine, they make a 2.8 litre "base model" and a 3.0 stroker version. Powertec also make v8s based on the Busa engine, theirs are 2.6l and 2.8. Synergy racing here in NZ make a 2.4 v8 based on the ZX12 engine which they use in speedway racing.

[racefactory]

Just checked out MCNews and they were present in Oct 10 when this was filmed. They state the Atom V8 used two Hayabusa heads. MCN claim it was fair test. Although they then say the Rider was only given a few laps AS A CAR PASSENGER, to learn the course, then jumped straight on to the bike with no ride time around the track. So how was that fair. Car driver got in practice laps and Bike tires would have been cold.

I also read that one on MCN and thought it was FUCKING impressive of that rider to ride to that extent on the video. Definitely not fully into the groove but flying still. Probably could have got the fastest time on the entire board and beat the atom aye.

In a nutshell, without extreme down-force modifications (under-tray with air vortex splitters and venturis, advanced air flow management both in and outside car), rider and driver of equal ability... production road cars (including purpose built road legal track cars) will have an extremely hard time reliably beating a ''jump on and ride'' stock sports motorcycle around a circuit.

If anyone is interested I can dig out some issues of the quality car mag ''Speed'' , one in particular which was tested on Willow springs full circuit and took a stock 2005 ZX6R that whooped the XS engineering 589HP R34 (slicks etc etc) and a 500HP Z06 (You don't want to know what the ZX10R did). It's an extremely interesting and methodical article and they even performed SKID PAD lateral G tests with the bikes which not even the avereage biking magazine would dream of.

Stock ZX6R on Michelin pilot power tyres did 1.04G!!! (Pilot power sticky as shit to a blanket eh?) The vette did just over 0.9 on normal road tyres from memory and the ZX10R lightly modded with suspension did above that. Skyline on HOOSIER slick tyres did over 1.1... again, without significant aero aids the difference in mid corner speed is negligible.

The only real drawback they found for the bikes was that they had the wheel lifting off ground under braking thus not able to use full braking ability of the tyre. ZX6R was actually slightly worse than vette on braking distance.

[george formby]

Yes but saying that I haven't seen a BMW1000R in the flesh yet but I know of two Atoms around my side of Christchurch city probably not the new V8.

I wonder if that V8 is the same as the one in the Caterum 5000 which is two busa motors on a common crank.

Brilliant car, 1000hp per tonne. The car looked to be on road tires also.

Thinking about it logically, the bike did very well. The bike and the car had similar power to weight but almost any car can out brake any bike.

All said & done the car has better brakes ( a lot ) & more corner grip. Putting them on the track together is not a race because the bike has to take a safe line so the car does not drive over it on the brakes. Individual lap times would be the only honest measure.

[imdying]

By the time the car got going the bike was gone.I'd take off too if you lent me one :D

[Kookie]

awesome lil blatter, but, aside from cos you can, why would you? Unless you like having your face flap behind you at high speeds. :bleh:

[onearmedbandit]

Imagine the threads about this on S1000RR forums, there must be much gnashing of teeth.

[racefactory]

All said & done the car has better brakes ( a lot ) & more corner grip. Putting them on the track together is not a race because the bike has to take a safe line so the car does not drive over it on the brakes. Individual lap times would be the only honest measure.

Individual lap was timed at 1.16.1 making it the second fastest vehicle just behind the atom and ahead of the Bugatti Veyron.

Suspension was bottoming out all over the track apparently.

[george formby]

Individual lap was timed at 1.16.1 making it the second fastest vehicle just behind the Atom and ahead of the Bugatti Veyron.

Suspension was bottoming out all over the track apparently.

Your typing digit got a stutter today?

If I won the lottery the Ariel atom would be at the top of my 4 wheel wish list, not the V8, a 1.6 honda engine would do me.

I do not have the cajones to do the S 1000 justice.

I'm off to do a few songs from "fiddler on the roof".

[ducatilover]

Your typing digit got a stutter today?

If I won the lottery the Ariel atom would be at the top of my 4 wheel wish list, not the V8, a 1.6 honda engine would do me.

I do not have the cajones to do the S 1000 justice.

I'm off to do a few songs from "fiddler on the roof".

I do believe the early Atom was the 2.0 Honda K20A from the DC5 integra/EP3 Civic Type R.

[george formby]

I do believe the early Atom was the 2.0 Honda K20A from the DC5 integra/EP3 Civic Type R.

I am happy to stand corrected, thank you.

That would do nicely with my bonus ball suprise.

[ducatilover]

I am happy to stand corrected, thank you.

That would do nicely with my bonus ball suprise.

:niceone: I think I could do with one too, imagine the commute over rural roads I do....:devil2:

[Flip]

Even the standard Atom's are blindingly fast cars. I can't see $300-400K worth in one however fast they are, especially given the standard one is only $70K.

[pritch]

especially given the standard one is only $70K.

"Only $70,000"?

[EJK]

"Only $70,000"?

Pi is just a number too.

[AllanB]

"Only $70,000"?

Like bikinis, the less material they use to make them the more they cost.


You can spend $50k on a Harley .........

[Flip]

"Only $70,000"?

I guess its a relative thing, how fast can you afford to go? A basic porche is $140k a good one is $250k. Then you start into prancing horses and Lambos.

What is a Radical SR8 worth new?

[george formby]

I guess its a relative thing, how fast can you afford to go? A basic porche is $140k a good one is $250k. Then you start into prancing horses and Lambos.

What is a Radical SR8 worth new?

You can get mint second hand ones for less than $30k, the sting would be in importing. Bang for your buck? Second hand 15 year old Porsche or import an Atom for less money?

No brainer, already got a helmet....

[Ronin]

You can get mint second hand ones for less than $30k, the sting would be in importing. Bang for your buck? Second hand 15 year old Porsche or import an Atom for less money?

No brainer, already got a helmet....

Agree there. If given the choice then it would be the Atom.

[DangerMice]

Way down in the comments....


Andy Downes says
Just to make it clear
The fastest time recorded by the bike was on a solo lap while Brogan was getting some practice laps in. No car was on track with him.
The filmed racing lap was done with both together so we are comparing like for like. I was there at the track all day long doing the timing myself. It was less than a second in it and the bike was definitely faster than the time logged by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.
Hope this helps

Andy Downes
MCN Senior Reporter
24 January 2011 14:04

[george formby]

Way down in the comments....


Andy Downes says
Just to make it clear
The fastest time recorded by the bike was on a solo lap while Brogan was getting some practice laps in. No car was on track with him.
The filmed racing lap was done with both together so we are comparing like for like. I was there at the track all day long doing the timing myself. It was less than a second in it and the bike was definitely faster than the time logged by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.
Hope this helps

Andy Downes
MCN Senior Reporter
24 January 2011 14:04

That's a LOT of bang for your buck.

[idleidolidyll]

nice car, nice bike

mind you, Top Gear has run these things before and they generally weight them to favour the car

a $25k bike vs a $220k hand built car? that'd be like comparing the GN250 to a Britten
Perhaps they should pit the Atom against say a $150k Ducati

in the real world everything changes: the car is confined to a lane barely wider than the car, the bike has a lane with room to choose different lines.

the bike has to pull out around 700mm to pass any vehicle; the car has to pull out 2 metres or so

in the real worl; with other traffic around etc; the bike is gonna 'win' 99 times out of 100

[simpy1]

Agree there. If given the choice then it would be the Atom.

What if it rains?

[James Deuce]

in the real worl; with other traffic around etc; the bike is gonna 'win' 99 times out of 100

Bike magazine did that with a BMW S1000RR and a Bugatti Veyron in the forests of Northern Germany. The bike won, simply because of the passing opportunities.

[onearmedbandit]

Bike magazine did that with a BMW S1000RR and a Bugatti Veyron in the forests of Northern Germany. The bike won, simply because of the passing opportunities.

Be easier for the bike to get through all the trees as well too I'm guessing, those Veyron's are pretty big.

[James Deuce]

Be easier for the bike to get through all the trees as well too I'm guessing, those Veyron's are pretty big.

No doubt! Though if you wind the Yeyron up enough and the retract the wing and you might be able to fly over the trees.

[martybabe]

I'm a bit confused, Carver told me BMW's are for old men, ergo, the race was biased in favour of the Atom because the BMW rider wasn't allowed wear his flat cap and slippers. Pipe, flat cap, slippers= BMW FTW :msn-wink:

Great vid, thanks for posting it.

[BMWST?]

Yes but saying that I haven't seen a BMW1000R in the flesh yet but I know of two Atoms around my side of Christchurch city probably not the new V8.

I wonder if that V8 is the same as the one in the Caterum 5000 which is two busa motors on a common crank.

Brilliant car, 1000hp per tonne. The car looked to be on road tires also.

Thinking about it logically, the bike did very well. The bike and the car had similar power to weight but almost any car can out brake any bike.

and thats how he passed him.....twice

[Ronin]

No doubt! Though if you wind the Yeyron up enough and the retract the wing and you might be able to fly over the trees.

Funny thing is, when Captain Slow did his high speed run all the aero is retracted. Apparently at the end of his run he had to nudge the brake pedal to engage the airbrake which decelerates the car more effectively than normal car brakes fully engaged.

[Flip]

I would love a Atom but they have to be the most impractical sports car out there. All the disadvantages of a bike and a car. In the UK they are a drive to the track and race car. I kind of like the new 3 wheel Morgan at the moment, its not out yet.

http://www.morgan3wheeler.co.uk/genevalaunch.html

[EJK]

You can get mint second hand ones for less than $30k, the sting would be in importing. Bang for your buck? Second hand 15 year old Porsche or import an Atom for less money?


I'll take the Porsche, thanks!

[racefactory]

I would love a Atom but they have to be the most impractical sports car out there. All the disadvantages of a bike and a car. In the UK they are a drive to the track and race car. I kind of like the new 3 wheel Morgan at the moment, its not out yet.

http://www.morgan3wheeler.co.uk/genevalaunch.html

This is true... unless you don't have the balls to ride a bike then Atom doesn't really make sense.

[idleidolidyll]

I would love a Atom but they have to be the most impractical sports car out there. All the disadvantages of a bike and a car. In the UK they are a drive to the track and race car. I kind of like the new 3 wheel Morgan at the moment, its not out yet.

http://www.morgan3wheeler.co.uk/genevalaunch.html

not quite: you don't have to wear a helmet or bike gear driving an Atom.

Now talking about all the disadvantages of a car with all the disadvantages of a bike conjours up the 3 wheel Can Am Spyder.

Hows this for minimalist: http://www.ecoshopper.net/2008/green-transportation/the-uno-is-the-one-wheel-electric-motorcycle-or-unicycle/

[idleidolidyll]

This is true... unless you don't have the balls to ride a bike then Atom doesn't really make sense.

yes it does.

I have 2 bikes; one for cruising and touring that is comfy for wifey on the back (Morini Granpasso) and another that flicks the idiot switch in my brain (KTM 690SMC).

The Atom is the car equivalent of the KTM and I could very easily see one in the garage beside my highly practical diesel Suzuki 4WD.

It just doesn't make send if its your ONLY car