Diesel Motorcycles

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Fri 5 Nov 2004 11:44
Diesel Motorcycles - Stargazer {P}
On the BBC South local TV news last night.

Cranfield Inst of Technology have developed a diesel Motorcycle for sale to the US military. First order for 500 has been agreed.

Not a great performer (85mph max) but main bonus is said to be commonality of fuel with other vehicles and simplicity and extra fuel economy.

Wonder if the technology it will make it into the mainstream
consumer market?

StarGazer
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Nov 2004 11:50
Diesel Motorcycles - Pugugly {P}
Nothing new here, there was an Enfield framed bike powered by a Robin engine on the market a few years ago. There is also a British Made diesel engined bike being made for the MoD - rumour was that the US military were interested in this - maybe one and the same of course.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Nov 2004 12:20
Diesel Motorcycles - Stargazer {P}
Here it is, looks like much the same thing

www.drive.cranfield.ac.uk/cfml/news_item.cfm?id=149

Prototypes in 2001 but looks like the backing came from a US company in the end to commercialise it.

TV report said that US Marines have ordered some but MoD were 'interested'.

StarGazer
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Nov 2004 12:35
Diesel Motorcycles - borasport20
from the link above -

'And so powerful is the motorcycle that in September 2004 it set the world?s first land speed record for a diesel fuelled motorcycle'

well, just how much competition has there been ;-)

I seem to remember the same project featuring on Top Gear when Steve Berry was a presenter, and that must be getting on for 10 years ago ?


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Nov 2004 21:39
Diesel Motorcycles - joc
Can't believe this got an airing! Been around for ages, and it's pretty established [read 'old'] technology.
Surely these days the technology exists for a 'proper' diesel engined bike. How about turbos, direct injection, ECU management etc etc. A small up-to-the-minute TDi motor like the 800cc Smart CDi or the 1.2 litre VW TDi three cylinder would be great in a practical motorcycle, yet the existing diesel bikes are still powered by ancient cement mixer engines run through 1970's gearboxes. Or by old petrol engines adapted for derv.
For a wide range on the topic : www.peace65.freeserve.co.uk/Pictures/diesel.htm
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Nov 2004 22:01
Diesel Motorcycles - king arthur
At the Blackbushe commercial sale yesterday in the Royal Mail section, there were two mopeds. On the lot sheets on each, the drivetrain was described as "Diesel, manual". I didn't see them go through the hall, so I've no idea if that was actually correct!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 5 Nov 2004 23:02
Diesel Motorcycles - Robin Reliant
Diesel engined motorcycles are a long way from being viable outside of specialised fields. Commuters already get excellent fuel economy from 50cc machines, and a diesel of that size would have a job getting above walking pace in less than a week.

Everyone else rides mainly for fun, and leisure riders want performance above all else and don't worry too much about economy. As for turbos, they had a brief appearence in the eighties but were unpopular because of the problems of turbo lag. Barely noticible in a car, cranked over on a bike the sudden kick led to some interesting moments.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 6 Nov 2004 09:22
Diesel Motorcycles - Cardew
The requirement for a diesel motorbike for the UK army is driven by logistics and safety.

If all vehicles/generators/plant + bikes are to be diesel then there is no need to supply petrol for military operations; and of course diesel is less volatile than petrol.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link