View Full Version : Ariel to build motorbikes in 2012
TomJ
28th July 2011, 23:52
Somerset-based purveyors of fiendishly quick scaffolding, Ariel, will start making bikes again from next year.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/ariel-bikes-2011-07-28
This should be an amazing bike if their cars are anything to go by:scooter:
tigertim20
29th July 2011, 03:16
Somerset-based purveyors of fiendishly quick scaffolding, Ariel, will start making bikes again from next year.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/ariel-bikes-2011-07-28
This should be an amazing bike if their cars are anything to go by:scooter:
again? I didnt know they ever did.
if theyre going to be making them for sale next year, Id expect a little more than some rough sketches, though, I suppose with bikes like that, they wont need to whet the consumer's appetite, theyll mostly be purchased by rich cunts who'll hardly fuckin ride them.
slofox
29th July 2011, 07:46
[QUOTE=tigertim20;1130118819]again? I didnt know they ever did.
QUOTE]
You must be quite a lot younger than I am then...(which wouldn't be surprising come to think of it...:blink:)
My first ever bike was an Ariel. 350cc Red Hunter (it was actually a kind of black and rust colour...) Solid iron, weighed a ton, grossly underpowered, handled like a dray, but ALWAYS WORKED. One of the simplest engines you'd ever want to work on. Even a total tyro like myself could pull it to bits and stick it back together again without bits left over. HAD to be easy.
I'd still rather have me gixxer though...
Paul in NZ
29th July 2011, 08:24
Goodness - that will be interesting to see what they decide to build. That is one compnay with an astonishing diversity of motorcycles to mine. Sporty single bangers, great off roaders, luxury 4's, swift 2 strokes, commuters... All could be made and badged as a return of a model from the past.
I guess we would all like to see a Square 4 but I suspect a Red Hunter or Huntmaster might be a better seller.
ratusratus
29th July 2011, 08:27
Honda motor in them according to MCN
avgas
29th July 2011, 09:57
I have stolen the idea and put it here...
https://www.ipredict.co.nz/
Place bets now :)
tigertim20
29th July 2011, 13:24
again? I didnt know they ever did.
You must be quite a lot younger than I am then...(which wouldn't be surprising come to think of it...:blink:)
My first ever bike was an Ariel. 350cc Red Hunter (it was actually a kind of black and rust colour...) Solid iron, weighed a ton, grossly underpowered, handled like a dray, but ALWAYS WORKED. One of the simplest engines you'd ever want to work on. Even a total tyro like myself could pull it to bits and stick it back together again without bits left over. HAD to be easy.
I'd still rather have me gixxer though...
ok cool. Ive seen a couple old ariel bikes around, but didnt know it was the same co.
Ariel Square Four
not the best design in terms of heat dissipation but still pretty damn cool
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Square_Four
Indiana_Jones
29th July 2011, 14:39
What we need is another Brit company to make a real comeback.
Wish Bloor would buy Norton and really get some capital into it
But still nice to hear this :)
-Indy
Big Dave
29th July 2011, 14:48
Let's hope marriage of old and new Ariels.
The marriage might not amount to much, but the reception will be fantastic.
Beren
29th July 2011, 14:58
Mmmm reading the article it sounds like they are going to be making very low numbers of bikes to order. The price quoted was 20K (UK) and that is probably before they start bolting on all the nice things that you would want!
Could be highly awesome but really for those with enough money to get exactly what they want. In the same place I'd probably buy a bike and give it to the guys at Harris and ask them to turn it into what I want...
Milts
29th July 2011, 16:55
You must be quite a lot younger than I am then...(which wouldn't be surprising come to think of it...:blink:)
My first ever bike was an Ariel. 350cc Red Hunter (it was actually a kind of black and rust colour...) Solid iron, weighed a ton, grossly underpowered, handled like a dray, but ALWAYS WORKED. One of the simplest engines you'd ever want to work on. Even a total tyro like myself could pull it to bits and stick it back together again without bits left over. HAD to be easy.
I'd still rather have me gixxer though...
Bumped into someone not 15 minutes ago at the supermarket who commented on my Triumph, asked if they were still british made.
Turns out he used to own a 350cc british Arial. Bought it in 1954....
Second hand.
So, how old are you again?
thehovel
29th July 2011, 18:47
Ariel Square Four
not the best design in terms of heat dissipation but still pretty damn cool
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Square_Four
I had a square 4 bought it cheep because the back cylinders sized after 20km bolted 2 half Ford 10 headlights to the side of the heads Problim solved never siezed again. All that is required is fresh air on the back of the engine not preheated from the front. Regards Richard
AllanB
29th July 2011, 19:49
With modern technology and water cooling there is no reason a square 4 should not work. Probably no reason to use that arrangement though!
Ariel V4 anyone?
Oakie
29th July 2011, 20:19
Ariel Square Four
not the best design in terms of heat dissipation but still pretty damn cool
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Square_Four
I'm sure I've seen a square four riding around in Christchurch in the last year.
HenryDorsetCase
29th July 2011, 20:20
Somerset-based purveyors of fiendishly quick scaffolding, Ariel, will start making bikes again from next year.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/ariel-bikes-2011-07-28
This should be an amazing bike if their cars are anything to go by:scooter:
wait, so this is the "same"* Ariel that made the square four, the red hunter, and so on?
*maybe in the same way that Hinckley and Meriden Triumphs are the same.
but, whatever, thats cool
cheshirecat
29th July 2011, 20:36
Hopefully they will be moving up from Miller electrics unless retained for 'nostalgic' reasons - you know, a bit of character for night time riding.
Daffyd
29th July 2011, 21:10
There's a square four in E Hayes and Sons shop in Invers; close to the original 'World's Fastest Indian'.
baptist
29th July 2011, 21:12
What we need is another Brit company to make a real comeback.
Wish Bloor would buy Norton and really get some capital into it
But still nice to hear this :)
-Indy
Ahhh dreams can come true, Truimph (if only I could afford one!), Norton (mass production please), Ariel now, Velocette next maybe AJS/Matchless soon... no wait my dads G80 was so bad he kicked it into a ditch and left it to rot, pos!!!!!!!:facepalm:
pete376403
29th July 2011, 21:19
They'd probably rather forget this one, though. (the "bike" that is, not the rider)
Indiana_Jones
30th July 2011, 09:02
Ahhh dreams can come true, Truimph (if only I could afford one!), Norton (mass production please), Ariel now, Velocette next maybe AJS/Matchless soon... no wait my dads G80 was so bad he kicked it into a ditch and left it to rot, pos!!!!!!!:facepalm:
With a good business plan and capital behind it, a lot can be done.
As for owning a Triumph, depending on what you want they're priced pretty well compared to their Jap counterparts.
Even more so since the pound is taking a beating
-Indy
baptist
30th July 2011, 12:47
With a good business plan and capital behind it, a lot can be done.
As for owning a Triumph, depending on what you want they're priced pretty well compared to their Jap counterparts.
Even more so since the pound is taking a beating
-Indy
New they are priced well... as a student my price range is erm well slightly more modest :facepalm: (my current bike pushed me hard financially at $3K!!!)
As for Ariel etc, mate I hope so, it would be so good to see my home country picking up, building on Truimphs good work with a world leading motorcycle industry seems a good start to me!!!
Pixie
31st July 2011, 11:43
wait, so this is the "same"* Ariel that made the square four, the red hunter, and so on?
*maybe in the same way that Hinckley and Meriden Triumphs are the same.
but, whatever, thats cool
Yeah,they use the same alphabet to spell the name
jellywrestler
31st July 2011, 11:59
With modern technology and water cooling there is no reason a square 4 should not work. Probably no reason to use that arrangement though!
maybe you should look at a suzuki RG500 then???????
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