Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman vs Ariel 4F Square Four 500 (1939)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxmanstacks up against the Ariel 4F Square Four 500. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman | Ariel 4F Square Four 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1939 | 1931 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 498 cc | 498 cc |
| Weight | 164 kg | 193 kg |
| Seat height | 28 mm | — |
| Fuel capacity | — | 3.5 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 | 3-27 / 3-27 | 3.25-19 / 3.25-19 |
Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman vs Ariel 4F Square Four 500 — which should you buy?
Picking between the Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman and the Ariel 4F Square Four 500 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Excelsior J. 14 500 Manxman brings its published horsepower in a 164 kg package, while the Ariel 4F Square Four 500 counters with its own power figure at 193 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: