ARIEL Arrow Super Sport 250 (1961-1962) Specs, Performance & Photos

Ariel Motorcycle was a British company in Bournbrook, Birmingham, that at first made bicycles, then motorcycles, and later even cars. Between 1958 and 1965, they produced the Ariel Ladder, a fully enclosed motorcycle. The Ladder was the first British motorcycle equipped with flashing indicators.

In 1959 the Arrow was produced, a stripped-down version of the Leader, and in January 1961, the Arrow Super Sport was born, at the time a motorcycle with great performance and quick acceleration.

The Ariel Arrow Super Sport 250 was pushed by a 247cc, twin-cylinder, air-cooled engine, linked to a four-speed transmission, generating a power output of 20 hp (15 kW) at 6,500 rpm. The weight of the Super Sport was 131 kg (290 lbs) and flat-out speed of 126 kph (78 mph), but with any push from the wind and on a downhill road, the Super Sport could reach 135 kph (84 mph).

The Super Sport motorcycle suspension was composed of a trailing link fork in the front and twin shock absorbers in the rear, spoked wire wheels, and a drum braking system. Speaking of the brakes, the Super Sport had a poor front braking system, so both the front and rear brakes had to be used at the same time to apply a good amount of force to stop the motorcycle.

The Ariel Arrow Super Sport 250 was available in White and Gold.