Introduction: Ariel Motorcycles, also known as Ariel Works Ltd, is a British motorcycle manufacturer that has been in operation for over a century. Established in 1902 in Birmingham, the company initially produced bicycles and later developed motorcycles that were known for their speed and performance. Ariel Motorcycles has been owned by several different companies over the years, and its history is intertwined with that of many other notable British motorcycle brands. In this article, we will explore the history of Ariel Motorcycles, its iconic models, and its modern-day offerings.
History: Ariel Motorcycles was established in 1902 by James Starley and William Hillman, who were already prominent bicycle manufacturers. The company initially produced bicycles with innovative designs, but in 1904 it introduced its first motorcycle, which had a 211cc engine and was capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 mph.
Over the years, Ariel Motorcycles developed a reputation for producing high-quality motorcycles that were known for their speed and performance. The company's models included the Red Hunter, which was introduced in 1932 and became one of the most popular motorcycles of the era. The Square Four, which had a unique design with two parallel twin-cylinder engines, was also a highly successful model that was in production for over two decades.
Ariel Motorcycles went through several different owners over the years, including BSA, Norton-Villiers, and Triumph Engineering. The company's production was eventually phased out in the 1970s, but its legacy continued to influence the design of many modern-day motorcycles.
Iconic Models: Ariel Motorcycles produced many iconic models over the years, including the Red Hunter, Square Four, and Arrow. The Red Hunter, which was introduced in 1932, was a high-performance motorcycle that was known for its reliability and versatility. It was available in a variety of configurations, including singles, twins, and fours, and was popular with riders in many different countries.
The Square Four was introduced in 1931 and featured a unique design with two parallel twin-cylinder engines. The model was known for its smooth ride and was popular with riders who valued speed and performance. The Square Four remained in production until 1959 and has since become a classic motorcycle that is highly sought after by collectors.
The Arrow was introduced in 1958 and was a high-performance motorcycle that was designed for racing. It had a 250cc engine that was capable of producing 24 horsepower, which was a significant amount of power for a motorcycle of its size.
Modern-Day Offerings: Ariel Motorcycles was revived in 2014 by Simon Saunders, who was previously involved in the development of the Ariel Atom sports car. The new company is known for producing high-performance motorcycles that are designed for enthusiasts who value speed and precision.
The Ariel Ace, which was introduced in 2015, is the company's flagship model. It features a unique modular design that allows riders to customize many different aspects of the motorcycle, including the engine, suspension, and bodywork. The Ace is available in a variety of configurations, including a standard model and a limited-edition track-focused model.
Conclusion: Ariel Motorcycles has a rich history that spans over a century. The company's iconic models, including the Red Hunter, Square Four, and Arrow, have become classics that are highly sought after by collectors. In its modern-day incarnation, Ariel Motorcycles is known for producing high-performance motorcycles that are designed for enthusiasts who value speed and precision. The Ariel Ace, the company's flagship model, is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and performance.
History: Ariel Motorcycles was established in 1902 by James Starley and William Hillman, who were already prominent bicycle manufacturers. The company initially produced bicycles with innovative designs, but in 1904 it introduced its first motorcycle, which had a 211cc engine and was capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 mph.
Over the years, Ariel Motorcycles developed a reputation for producing high-quality motorcycles that were known for their speed and performance. The company's models included the Red Hunter, which was introduced in 1932 and became one of the most popular motorcycles of the era. The Square Four, which had a unique design with two parallel twin-cylinder engines, was also a highly successful model that was in production for over two decades.
Ariel Motorcycles went through several different owners over the years, including BSA, Norton-Villiers, and Triumph Engineering. The company's production was eventually phased out in the 1970s, but its legacy continued to influence the design of many modern-day motorcycles.
Iconic Models: Ariel Motorcycles produced many iconic models over the years, including the Red Hunter, Square Four, and Arrow. The Red Hunter, which was introduced in 1932, was a high-performance motorcycle that was known for its reliability and versatility. It was available in a variety of configurations, including singles, twins, and fours, and was popular with riders in many different countries.
The Square Four was introduced in 1931 and featured a unique design with two parallel twin-cylinder engines. The model was known for its smooth ride and was popular with riders who valued speed and performance. The Square Four remained in production until 1959 and has since become a classic motorcycle that is highly sought after by collectors.
The Arrow was introduced in 1958 and was a high-performance motorcycle that was designed for racing. It had a 250cc engine that was capable of producing 24 horsepower, which was a significant amount of power for a motorcycle of its size.
Modern-Day Offerings: Ariel Motorcycles was revived in 2014 by Simon Saunders, who was previously involved in the development of the Ariel Atom sports car. The new company is known for producing high-performance motorcycles that are designed for enthusiasts who value speed and precision.
The Ariel Ace, which was introduced in 2015, is the company's flagship model. It features a unique modular design that allows riders to customize many different aspects of the motorcycle, including the engine, suspension, and bodywork. The Ace is available in a variety of configurations, including a standard model and a limited-edition track-focused model.
Conclusion: Ariel Motorcycles has a rich history that spans over a century. The company's iconic models, including the Red Hunter, Square Four, and Arrow, have become classics that are highly sought after by collectors. In its modern-day incarnation, Ariel Motorcycles is known for producing high-performance motorcycles that are designed for enthusiasts who value speed and precision. The Ariel Ace, the company's flagship model, is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and performance.