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{{Infobox Motorcycle | {{Infobox Motorcycle | ||
|name = '''Ariel Leader''' | |name = '''Ariel Leader''' | ||
|image = | |image = [[Image:1964-Ariel-Leader.jpg|frameless|250px|1964 Ariel Leader]] | ||
|aka = | |aka = | ||
|manufacturer = [[Ariel]] | |manufacturer = [[Ariel]] | ||
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==Leader== | ==Leader== | ||
[[Image:1963-Ariel-Arrow-Super-Sports.jpg|left|thumb|250px|1963 Ariel Arrow Super Sports]] | [[Image:1963-Ariel-Arrow-Super-Sports.jpg|left|thumb|250px|1963 Ariel Arrow Super Sports]] | ||
The '''Leader''' was probably Ariel's bravest foray into motorcycle manufacturing. It was an innovate, fully enclosed 250cc two-stroke released in 1959. Producing peak output of 18bhp, with the twin-cylinder engine based on that of the German [[Adler]]. The leader was intended to be a proper motorcycle with the convenience of a [[scooter]]. The Leader actually worked rather well, with a top speed of about 70mph (112kph) and excellent handling. But the public didn't take well to it. Ariel later striped the bodywork to produce the '''Arrow''', with a tuned 20bhp engine in the '''Super Sports''' and '''Golden Arrow''' variants. Although the Arrow sold well it wasn't enough to stop Ariel from going under in 1967. | The '''Leader''' was probably Ariel's bravest foray into motorcycle manufacturing. It was an innovate, fully enclosed 250cc two-stroke released in 1959. Producing peak output of 18bhp, with the twin-cylinder engine based on that of the German [[Adler]]. The leader was intended to be a proper motorcycle with the convenience of a [[scooter]]. The Leader actually worked rather well, with a top speed of about 70mph (112kph) and excellent handling. But the public didn't take well to it. Ariel later striped the bodywork to produce the '''Arrow''', with a tuned 20bhp engine in the '''Super Sports''' and '''Golden Arrow''' variants. Although the Arrow sold well it wasn't enough to stop Ariel from going under in 1967. |