Ariel KH 500 Fieldmaster vs Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman (1957)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Ariel KH 500 Fieldmasterstacks up against the Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Ariel KH 500 Fieldmaster | Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1957 | 1939 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 498 cc | 498 cc |
| Horsepower | 28 hp | — |
| Weight | 177 kg | 164 kg |
| Seat height | 31 mm | 28 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 L | — |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 4-speed | 4-speed |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Tires | 3.00-20 / 3.50-19 | 3-27 / 3-27 |
Ariel KH 500 Fieldmaster vs Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman — which should you buy?
Picking between the Ariel KH 500 Fieldmaster and the Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Ariel KH 500 Fieldmaster brings 28 hp in a 177 kg package, while the Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman counters with its own power figure at 164 kg.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: