ARIEL Arrow Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & 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.

The 250cc Ariel Leader was produced from 1958 until 1966, while its little brother, the Ariel Arrow, being born in 1960. A smaller 200cc engined version appeared in 1964.