“I like your motorcycle. What is it?” Prepare to answer such questions when aboard the Cleveland Ace Deluxe. At first glance this 230cc air-cooled four-stroke single might fool even a savvy onlooker into thinking it’s a classic Britbike of sorts.
Designed at the Cleveland CycleWerks Ohio headquarters and assembled in China, the Ace doubles down with cool, retro styling, and affordability. Its compact 53-inch wheelbase, 226-pound dry weight, and comfortable saddle with an inviting 30.7-inch height make for an easy-handling combination. Relative to other bikes in its price range, the $3,295 Ace Deluxe is a good value and is fuel frugal, logging a true 68 mpg under our heavy-wristed hand. Unfortunately, our testbike’s wire-spoke wheels were neither balanced nor true, resulting in a bouncy ride at speeds above 50 mph.
The engine hums along nicely—tapping out 13.6 hp at 6,340 rpm on the CW dyno—is freeway capable with top speed touching 70 mph, and mustered a 19.09-second, 63.94-mph quarter-mile time. Electric start, light controls, decent shift action, and a gear indicator on the dash make the Ace very novice friendly.
Tame and cute as a kitten on a leash, the Ace deals miles of smiles on the cheap.
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WATCH: Motorcycles with Character
