| |
Diesel Power Military Motorcycles |
|
|
File under New Products Uniformed
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
Comments:
|
|
Almost always, the armies around the world try to keep their logistics simple. For their vehicles, this means that they standardize on one fuel only;- and that's diesel since all trucks and tanks require diesel. This means they'll only need to carry one fuel in to the battlefield.
However, motorcycles have proven themselves over the last 100 years in battles, and they don't run diesel. They're used for special forces (Iraq war was a typical occasion), couriers, liaisons, etc. Therefore, NATO is experimenting with converting motorcycles to run diesel fuel.
The British have converted a Royal Enfield to run diesel see photo on the left). The 250 cc Bullet runs an impressive 140 mpg at speeds of around 40 miles per hour (and even better mpg at lower speeds). The bike can not be kick-started due to the high compression, but needs to be push started....
The USA Marines Corp (USMC) have taken the popular Kawasaki KLR650 Miliary Edition and together with Hayes Diversified Technologies (HDT) of California converted it to run either diesel or aviation kerosene fuel. It runs a very impressive 120 miles per gallon at 80 miles per hour !!
It is even rumored that Kawasaki might market this machine since with its relative high speed, but very high torque, the bike could really be used for off-road adventure riding.
Click here to read more about it and to see more photos.
|
|
|
Technorati :Motorcycles
 Save This Page to del.icio.us
|
| Old Comments - Use comment system above |
1) Rainer Burgdorfer said on:
(13/05/2005 02:51:05 GMT)
email:Rainer Burgdorfer | website:
Diesel Power Military Motorcycles
I would buy this bike (Diesel KLR)tomorrow if A)It was available.B)A suitable warranty was available. C)It handled similarly to the KLR 650. and C) It were priced within $ 1000. of the KLR 650 price.
2) Dave McMain said on:
(06/08/2005 20:19:04 GMT)
email:Dave McMain | website:
www.uticorp.comDiesel Power Military Motorcycles
I just purchased my first KLR650 and love it. Diesel power would be very desirable if cost was reasonable. Fuel economy/travel range would be a big plus for adventure riders. Can't wait!
3) said on:
(12/08/2005 23:22:42 GMT)
email: | website:
Diesel Power Military Motorcycles
was the harley davidson mt350 a diesel motorbike
4) BULENT UNALAN said on:
(05/10/2005 05:42:15 GMT)
email:BULENT UNALAN | website:
Diesel Power Military Motorcycles
I WAS INTERESTED ON KLR 650 DIESEL OR HOW DO YOU CONVERT THE GAS BMW ENGINE AND COST
5) Karl Seely said on:
(15/10/2005 00:11:32 GMT)
email:Karl Seely | website:
Diesel Power Military Motorcycles
I love my KLR 650 gasser. If a civilian model hits the market under @ $10,000, I will buy one.
6) R. Munzner (belgium) said on:
(23/11/2005 10:17:27 GMT)
email:R. Munzner (belgium) | website:
Diesel Power Military Motorcycles
Why didn't they add a turbo for better response and more hp. Even a variable one like VW/audi/porche uses in their cars. Just imagine....And then try to get down in weight ! Now there's the bike I would buy !!!
7) Tommaso said on:
(30/08/2007 09:47:47 GMT)
email:Tommaso | website:
Diesel Power Military Motorcycles
I have an 08 klr and so far have been getting great gas mileage and the bike is not even broken in. It would be fantastic if you could buy a diesel model, and get super great mileage! Dont forget the fast moving gas prices! 10 to 15 years ago gas prices in USA where around $1 or less. In 15 years from now gas price would be $7 to $9 per gallon using the same proportionate increase from the last 15 years.
|
|
|
