• Articles
  • Motorcycles for Sale
  • Motorcycle Parts
  • Motorcycle Manuals
  • Models
  • Collectibles
  • Contact

The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Where are the diesel motorcycles?

By Paul Crowe

Thunder Star 1200 TDI diesel motorcycleYesterday 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

Posted on November 18, 2005 Filed Under: Diesel Engines, Diesel Motorcycle, Motorcycle Builders, Motorcycle Business


-- Subscribe to The Kneeslider --

Be the first to know when something’s new!


Be sure to check out The Kneeslider’s motorcycle models listings.

The Kneeslider is an ebay partner and your purchases through ebay links help support this site.




« Vetter high mileage fairing kit
Gas prices almost down to $2.00 »

Comments

  1. sfan says

    November 18, 2005 at 12:55 pm

    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.

  2. d mcdee says

    November 19, 2005 at 1:10 am

    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

  3. olwilkie says

    November 21, 2005 at 10:33 pm

    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.

  4. Stuart says

    December 14, 2005 at 10:16 am

    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

  5. Lance Seattle, WA. says

    October 1, 2007 at 11:08 pm

    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..

  6. John Gustafson says

    November 21, 2007 at 5:27 am

    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.

Subscribe to The Kneeslider

Be the first to know when something's new!

Search articles on The Kneeslider


Do You need motorcycle parts?

Everything from normal maintenance items to hard to find out of production parts, look here first.
Be very specific for best results! Use part numbers if you have them.


Be sure to check out The Kneeslider’s new motorcycle collectibles listings.

The Kneeslider is an ebay partner and your purchases
through ebay links help support this site.



From The Kneeslider Archives

CR700P twin rotor racer from Crighton Racing

CR700P 700cc Rotary Racer From Crighton Racing

Quarter scale DOHC fuel injected V8 engine built from scratch

DIY Quarter Scale Fuel Injected DOHC V8 Engine

RSS What’s happening on HorsePowerSports

  • DeLorean Motor Company is Coming Back with an Electric
  • Ford Shares Open Source CAD Files for 3D Printing Truck Accessories
  • If You Need a New Car, Buy an Old One Instead

Motorcycle Engine Powered Cars

Copyright © 2023 · The Kneeslider · Website by Crowe Computer Services
US Army veteran owned and operated
This website proudly Made in the USA!
Made in the USA