Ariel Atom faster than a 600RR??

navydevildoc · 07-30-2006, 3:08 PM

Check this video out... it's from our favorite show Top Gear.

Video Here.

Now, how many of you think that was pissweak racing on the rider's part?

But that doesn't mean I don't want one...

nhfirefighter13 · 07-30-2006, 3:11 PM

YPARR.

ConqSoft · 07-30-2006, 3:54 PM

See third Smilar Thread below.

(BTW, I have the Atom in my garage on Project Gotham Racing on the XBox 360 and it's fun to drive.

)

Custom900 · 07-30-2006, 11:35 PM

Ooooooohh Ahhhhhhhhhh

So what, the little thing outran a 600cc CBR.

Yeah, it's quick. I love the way that Euro Bloke's face was distorted. I say put that car up againt something like a new CBR1000RR or a Suzuki GSXR1000 and see what happens with a good rider.

And if a 600 outperforms that thing on the start just imagine what a Hayabusa or ZX-14 would do on a launch.

9two9rider · 07-31-2006, 9:31 AM

Just watched the vid myself, and I thought the rider was going too wide on the turns... I mean, its a 600! you can practically lay it on its side and keep riding, am I right?

Proto · 07-31-2006, 2:03 PM

What do you expect - it's a programme dedicated to the glorification of all things four wheeled. Clarkson, the driver, loathes bikes.

SJ96F3 · 07-31-2006, 2:16 PM

I'm sure they have a professional racer in the car and some above average/average rider on the bike. Why not do a couple laps in that thing around a big track against Rossi?

luvtolean · 07-31-2006, 2:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proto

What do you expect - it's a programme dedicated to the glorification of all things four wheeled. Clarkson, the driver loathes bikes.

nhfirefighter13 · 07-31-2006, 2:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Custom900

Ooooooohh Ahhhhhhhhhh

So what, the little thing outran a 600cc CBR.

Yeah, it's quick. I love the way that Euro Bloke's face was distorted. I say put that car up againt something like a new CBR1000RR or a Suzuki GSXR1000 and see what happens with a good rider.

And if a 600 outperforms that thing on the start just imagine what a Hayabusa or ZX-14 would do on a launch.

Granted, the rider looks like the typical guy off the street and I'm sure the host of Top Gear knows his way around a car so it's probably not much of a competition but can you seriously say that the Atom isn't a serious performer?
From some quick digging around, it has roughly the same power to weight ratio and is actually quicker that the 600RR in 0-60 times. And while I haven't found anyone claiming a 0-60 time for the 14, the Busa's seems to be the same as the Atom at 2.8 seconds.
I'd also be willing to bet that it'll beat the snot out of most bikes on a race track.

Linus · 07-31-2006, 2:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proto

What do you expect - it's a programme dedicated to the glorification of all things four wheeled. Clarkson, the driver loathes bikes.

The fat ass can barely get on a harley, and if it can get to 60 like the 600RR it is clear from the video that Clarkson can't. Puuhhhlease!!! I'm tired of these haters

BDA116 · 07-31-2006, 2:27 PM

A purpose-built race car will always beat a purpose-built race bike around a track. They simply have more contact patches and thus better traction for cornering as well as larger brakes.
That said, the rider in that segment was obviously not up to par with the driver, and as mentioned TopGear is very much biased to cars.
Now a 600RR in race trim with a proper racer aboard would do far better against the Atom with a proper racer driving it, but I'd bet it would still be close.
Especially since the 600RR is such a pile of garbage.

I went and looked at Ariel's website and they don't show the Atom model with the wings any longer. That was one of the coolest cars out there - a true formula type car that is legally registerable for the road.
The US Atom page doesn't show it either. Maybe it's some special package or something now.
I'd bet that the Atom in true race trim with the aforementioned wings would either beat the CBR (600 or 1000) around a track or come very close - but not the new R6, that thing would trunce the Atom.

Baketech · 07-31-2006, 4:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proto

What do you expect - it's a programme dedicated to the glorification of all things four wheeled. Clarkson, the driver, loathes bikes.

And "rubber" suits...

ccwilli3 · 07-31-2006, 4:47 PM

I agree with proto, I watch the show a lot and they talk a lot of smack about 2 wheel fun... I didn't download the clip, but I've seen that particular show on TV and remember thinking who was the bender they allowed to ride the little honda. not to mention the top gear track is not exactly a place where even a 600RR can stretch its legs...

Proto · 07-31-2006, 5:46 PM

The little fellow, Richard Hammond, aka "hamster", is a bit of a bike nut. He's been riding since he was 16 or so. Mostly juvenile type tat/rat bikes, penniless student type things. I think he spent time as a despatch rider in London for a while. He also used to present a bike programme on a cable channel. Certainly knows how to ride. He does his best to balance the argument, but Top Gear is really "The Jeremy Clarkson" show, so Hamster is always going to loose (sic - for analogbear

).

PS hamster really is a bit tiny. 5' 6" or so. Clarkson is 6' 6".

MetalMilitia · 08-02-2006, 8:27 AM

Regardless of engine size. If the rider was good enough and was able to for video purpose I'm sure he could have kept up with or even beaten the Atom. Watching it you can tell the rider was hardly pushing the bike, and of course they're going to show the bike being dominated on a car enthusiast show. I'm sure a lot of the riders here could have stomped that atom on a 600rr. Don't get me wrong the thing looks fun as hell, but pisses me off just a bit when he bashes bikes. However, there's only one way to find out which is REALLY better. Someone needs to get one and be actually a decent rider, and an experience rider on a 600 need to go head to head.

ihatecrashing · 08-02-2006, 8:40 AM

Maybe the power-to-weight ratios are similar, but the dollar-to-fun ratio is dominated by the 600!!

Custom900 · 08-02-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihatecrashing

Maybe the power-to-weight ratios are similar, but the dollar-to-fun ratio is dominated by the 600!!

absolutely

ihatecrashing · 08-02-2006, 8:05 PM

Proto · 08-03-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalMilitia

Regardless of engine size. If the rider was good enough and was able to for video purpose I'm sure he could have kept up with or even beaten the Atom. Watching it you can tell the rider was hardly pushing the bike, and of course they're going to show the bike being dominated on a car enthusiast show. I'm sure a lot of the riders here could have stomped that atom on a 600rr. Don't get me wrong the thing looks fun as hell, but pisses me off just a bit when he bashes bikes. However, there's only one way to find out which is REALLY better. Someone needs to get one and be actually a decent rider, and an experience rider on a 600 need to go head to head.

Have you guys ever come up against a Caterham 7 on a twisty road? Or any well driven, half decent car? I think you might be in for a shock.

Baketech · 08-03-2006, 11:52 AM

Ummm....you are addressing a singular person...not "you guys"....

phobiaphobe · 08-03-2006, 12:23 PM

Eats, shoots and leaves.

LITEITUP · 08-05-2006, 10:51 AM

I agree with BDA116, a race 'car' will beat a race 'bike' given more traction and other factors. You really cant compare cars and bikes though so....I agree also that the rider on the bike was not pushing hard. But all in all I would love to drive one of those cars, looks really fun.

purdyboy · 08-09-2006, 4:04 AM

"a race 'car' will beat a race 'bike' "
...Especially when the racing cars have aerodynamic downforce.

Taking on a well driven fast car on the public road is not only an eye opener, it ends up being silly. Think about it, the car driver gets a second chance if she looses the front end and she/he also has airbags, seatbelts and a lot of steel between her and the roadside furniture.

Whos best?
'Best' is the one having the most fun - you decide.

Clarkson puts on a good show - aimed at people who like the fact that their fast, expensive cars make them feel virile (and probably hate the fact that bike riders with their cheap bikes make them feel like pussies).