For the first time, the Aston Martin badge will appear on the nose of a roadgoing motorcycle. The AMB 002 Roadster, developed with Brough Superior, combines 130 horsepower with a 419-pound wet weight, giving the bike a 620 hp-per-ton power-to-weight ratio.
Aston Martin and Brough Superior Expand Their Partnership
The AMB 002 Roadster is not the first motorcycle collaboration between Aston Martin and Brough Superior. The companies previously worked together on the track-only AMB 001 and AMB 001 Pro superbikes.
The new model brings that partnership to a road-legal two-wheeler while retaining several design and engineering themes associated with its predecessors.
A Distinctive Design With Aston Martin Details
The Aston Martin Design Studio handled much of the AMB 002 Roadster’s styling. Its pared-down design is smoother and more refined than that of many other naked sportbikes.
The fairing surrounding the headlight flows into the pebble-shaped fuel tank when viewed from the side. Knife-like side vents sit above the V-twin engine to aid cooling and aerodynamics.
The low-mounted exhaust uses dual oval exits and carries a fluted design similar to the exhaust treatment of the Aston Martin Vanquish super-GT. At the rear, individual LED taillight blades recall the limited-production Vulcan.
Extensive carbon-fiber upper bodywork contributes to the motorcycle’s modern design and lower center of gravity. That characteristic is important for a sport motorcycle because it needs to lean into and out of corners with minimal resistance.
The AMB 002 Roadster also uses a single-seat configuration, emphasizing its focus on riding rather than carrying a passenger.
Titanium Frame and Fior Fork Suspension
The motorcycle uses a lightweight frame CNC-machined from a solid billet of titanium. The chassis weighs 11 pounds.
At the front, Brough Superior’s Fior fork suspension separates the steering and braking geometry instead of using a conventional inverted fork arrangement. The setup is designed to provide more consistent performance and reduce dive during hard braking.
AMB 002 Roadster Performance and Power-to-Weight Ratio
The AMB 002 Roadster is powered by a 1,083-cubic-centimeter, or 1.1-liter, V2 engine. The companies have not specified the engine’s origin, while the source describes it as a presumed development of Brough’s 998cc two-cylinder engine.
In the Aston Martin, the engine produces 130 horsepower and 81 pound-feet of torque. With a 419-pound wet weight, the motorcycle delivers a claimed power-to-weight figure of 620 horsepower per ton.
That figure would be notable for a sports car. The twin-turbocharged, V12-powered Aston Martin Valiant, for example, produces about 396 horsepower per 2,000 pounds.
Among high-performance motorcycles, however, the comparison is different. The $13,295 Ducati Monster V2 uses a 997cc V-twin producing 111 horsepower and weighs 386 pounds, resulting in 575 horsepower per ton.
The $39,995 Ducati Diavel V4 RS goes further, with an 1,103cc inline-four producing 184 horsepower. Its 485-pound wet weight gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 763 horsepower per ton.
Only 300 AMB 002 Roadsters Will Be Built
Direct comparisons with series-produced motorcycles are difficult because neither Brough Superior nor Aston Martin has confirmed the AMB 002 Roadster’s price.
Given its extensive carbon fiber and bespoke technology, the source says the motorcycle is unlikely to be cheap. Production will also be limited to 300 units, with deliveries expected to begin about one year from now.
Aston Martin’s More Serious Motorcycle Project
Automakers building motorcycles is not particularly unusual. BMW, Honda and Suzuki have each produced both two- and four-wheelers alongside one another for decades.
Other automakers have also explored the idea. Dodge introduced the Tomahawk concept in 2004, featuring a leaning four-wheeled motorcycle powered by the contemporary Viper’s 8.3-liter, 500-horsepower V10. Dodge planned a limited production run, but safety regulations prevented that plan from moving forward.
The Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster takes a more serious approach to the formula. As the third collaboration between Aston Martin and Brough Superior, the roadgoing motorcycle marks another step in their partnership, with production limited to 300 examples.
