Yesterday we noted the pricing and ordering information for the new Bulldog diesel coming out next year and we’ve written many times about the Thunder Star 1200, an exciting and capable bike with great performance. There are a number of other small companies designing and building diesel bikes, too, but where are the major manufacturers? I really don’t understand their lack of interest.
Next year, ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) will be rolling out and by October 15th, all diesel fuel sold in the U.S. must have only 15ppm (parts per million) sulfur content compared to the 500ppm that has been the standard up to this point. Diesels designed to run this fuel are extremely clean and efficient and why there hasn’t been a push toward diesels to rival or exceed the push toward hybrids and fuel cells is beyond me.
At the Tokyo motor show we saw the Yamaha Gen-Ryu motorcycle designed with hybrid technology and others touting fuel cell capabilities that only work as concept vehicles in limited areas at great cost, surely those same companies could take advantage of the enormous progress in diesel technology to create a clean, powerful and high performance diesel motorcycle that would work right now instead of at some future date. No new infrastructure is necessary as it would be with hydrogen, diesel pumps are in place everywhere. Do I even need to mention the explosive growth of biodiesel? Almost every state in the country has plans for a biodiesel plant or even multiple plants of some sort and you can make your own if you’re so inclined.
If a small shop in Holland can build the Thunder Star and a company like HDT can turn out the Bulldog, you would think the large manufacturers would be all over this. There has been a divide for a while in the automotive world, hybrids come from Japan and diesels come from Europe. OK, where’s BMW? They have the financial and engineering wherewithal to develop a diesel motorcycle and could probably do so quite easily. Have you heard of one back in their shop somewhere? I haven’t.
Marketing types say the public won’t buy diesels in cars, let alone motorcycles, since diesels many years ago were loud, noisy and smelly low performers. Nonsense. If you can sell the public on hybrids or get people all whipped up about hydrogen cars which won’t exist for 20 years if ever, you could certainly advertise the new diesels with all of the benefits of clean diesel and high performance, not to mention the extreme durability of your average diesel engine. Saying no one will buy them and not making them is a self fulfilling prophecy. How can people buy what you don’t build and sell?
The motorcycle manufacturers should get on board with diesels as soon as possible. I think it’s a huge opportunity for the first company that comes out with a good one. ( A GOOD one, no junk just to prove people won’t buy.) I bet they would sell like crazy.
See also: Roush diesel quad atv
sfan says
Although I’d like to see Kawasaki do their own KLR diesel, scooters may be a good category to consider as well. The cost premium for the Bulldog is rediculous from a consumer perspective and must be based on what the military buyers are prepared to pay.
d mcdee says
Interesting site… never thought I would live to see diesel powered bikes…hopefully this site will shine one day with hydrogen power? in the meantime for oldtime tractor books try “Barrios Booksales” just type the name in to your search engine
olwilkie says
Major motorcycle manufacturers, HD aside, have figured out that diesel is just another petrofuel, and that the going bet for the future is on fuel cells. If they have to fight the battle on performance in an alternate fuel motorcycle, they’d just as soon not have to also fight the battle on emissions as well. The military can afford the research and experiments in diesel but for a vehicle that we can hope to sell to the American population as a viable commuting alternative to the car, I’m sure Yamaha and Honda are putting their money in the right place.
Stuart says
Anyone interested in the diesel bike scene should take a look at http://www.DieselBike.net
I attend the European rallies and put the latest news on my site.
Stuart
Lance Seattle, WA. says
Most people are building there own convertions. In the event that the large manufactures do not build them it is only a matter of time before some one becomes very rich with a simple but effective design.
If there was a bike in the $6,000-$12,000 range I would buy one the minute the dealer put it on the showroom floor..
John Gustafson says
I enjoy your website and always enjoy the comments made about where the future of motorcycles is going. I too wanted a diesel bike, and have actually been to HDT in Hesperia, CA. to see these in person. I don’t feel this will be available to the public anytime soon since the military is buying everyone that is made. They are impressive though. I think hybrid bikes are a very realistic alternative to diesels, and can be built using easily obtainable and simple technology. I built one and have a fairly basic mechanical knowledge. If I can do it, then the big companies can too. It’s just that they seem to think we don’t want non traditional bikes, so they continue to offer the same old stuff wrapped in new packaging.