Diesel motorcycle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Diesel motorcycle is a motorcycle that is powered by a diesel engine. As of December 2006, several companies produce diesel motorcycles.

Contents

[edit] Conversions

A popular conversion choice is to put an industrial diesel engine (single or twin cylinder) in a modified frame of a Royal Enfield from India.

Speed-Triple and Flitzibitz
Speed-Triple and Flitzibitz

An alternative is to use industrial diesel engines and engines from small cars. Frames are modified or completely self-built. Power range starts at 6 hp and goes up to 80 hp.

[edit] Production vehicles

[edit] Sommer Diesel 462

Sommer Motorradtechnik produced Sommer Diesel 462. The engine was rated at 8 kW (11 PS). The bike reaches top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h), and does 95 mpg (3 l/100 km)

[edit] Track T-800CDI

Track T-800CDI
Track T-800CDI

Track T-800CDI has an 800 cc CDI Turbo Intercooler diesel engine, and has a fuel consumption of only 2.5 l/100 km. It will have shaft (cardan) drive, while ABS braking system and front-wheel drive are both optional. The transmission is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT ) with 6 programmed semi-automatic "gears". The Track Diesel motorcycle will have 50 hp and max. 130 Nm torque in between 1800 and 4500 rpm, delivering a top speed of about 185 km/h and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The throttle is connected to an electronic fly-by-wire system. The brake lights on the tail will be progressive lights featuring LED technology.

Dutch E.V.A. Products BV started to sell their home grown diesel motorcycle in October 2006.[1] 50 T-800CDI will be built in the beginning of 2007 with Euro4 engines.

[edit] Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield in India was the only manufacturer that has built a diesel motorcycle in mass production. a 6.5 hp industrial diesel was installed in the frame of the British-based Royal Enfield. However due to pollution laws this bike is no longer produced. It was one of the most fuel efficient Bikes in India returning over 200 mpg. Initially street mechanics were mounting this engine in used Bullets (It is a retro Royal Enfield Bike, with a 350 cc retro engine developing 18 hp). On seeing the success of these bikes, Royal Enfield themselves started manufacturing Bullets with the diesel engine and named it as Taurus.

[edit] Hayes Diversified Technologies M1030M1

M1030M1 - Diesel Military Motorcycle
M1030M1 - Diesel Military Motorcycle

After several years engine development at Cranfield University, the M1030M1 is now ready to hit the road. It is produced by Hayes Diversified Technologies, and it based around a modified Kawasaki KLR650. The bike goes up to 90 mph (145 km/h) and does 96 mpg (US gal) at 55 mph (89 km/h). The bikes successfully took part at the British National Rally and the International Speed Trials in Bonneville.

The U.S. Marine Corps bought 440 of the M1030M1 model, under the name 'M1030M1 JP8/Diesel'. The M1030M1E AVTUR/Diesel Military motorcycle was sold to British and European NATO countries. The civilian version is called D650A1 "Bulldog". Production of the vehicles were planned for March 2006, but the civilian version was delayed.

[edit] Star Twin Thunder Star 1200 TDI

Thunderstar 1200 TDI at the Dieselmotorcycle Rally 2005 in Hamm, Germany
Thunderstar 1200 TDI at the Dieselmotorcycle Rally 2005 in Hamm, Germany

Star Twin Motors produced Thunder Star 1200 TDI, which used a modified 1.2-litre Volkswagen Lupo diesel engine in a new crankcase with 5-speed transmission. The engine was rated 70 PS and 160 Nm torque.

[edit] NEANDER

Prototype of the Neander
Prototype of the Neander

The Neander [2] uses a parallel twin cylinder turbo diesel engine with two contra-rotating crankshafts, which manufacturer claimed to remove engine vibration. The 1340 cc engine produced 100 hp@4200 rpm and 200 Nm torque at 2600 rpm .

Neander Motors AG planned to produce 99 bikes for 2007.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "The first commercially-available diesel motorcycle," Gizmag.com (November 20, 2006).
  2. ^ Neander - Motors - Dieselmotor

[edit] External links

[edit] Manufacturer sites

Languages