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Main Area => Odds n Ends => Topic started by: pizzleboy on August 25, 2005, 12:38:24 PM

Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: pizzleboy on August 25, 2005, 12:38:24 PM
I recently purchased a VW Golf TDI.  Which has a 1.9L turbo diesel engine.

It only makes about 100 HP, but mkae almost 180 ft/LBS of torque!  This thing gets about 46 - 48 MPG on the HWY.  HAven driven this car for a few weeks now, I have come to the great realization that 1000KM's on a tank of fuel and still having a car that is fun to drive is a great combination.

So my next question comes:

Why don't they make a diesel bike?  If they make similar power but get WAY better millage, why don't they exist?  Plus diesel is cheaper then gas.

Any thoughts?  Maybe diesel doesn't work below a certain displacement??
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: davipu on August 25, 2005, 12:44:01 PM
between the turbo, the FI the computer crap it's a pain in the ass to work on becayse you have so much stuff crammed into this small area. then your going to have reliability issues unless it was in some kind of cruiser/gold wing whare it was designed not to be ran hard.  btw what's the redline in your golf?
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: pizzleboy on August 25, 2005, 12:45:30 PM
4500 - takes a little while to get used it.
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Roadstergal on August 25, 2005, 12:46:45 PM
Diesel bikes do exist.
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: davipu on August 25, 2005, 01:04:04 PM
I love YOU exists.
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Roadstergal on August 25, 2005, 01:19:18 PM
Well, she's dead, so that's debatable.  She sure doesn't run as well as a diesel bike, these days.
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Jake D on August 25, 2005, 01:24:46 PM
I saw a prototype diesel sport bike a few months ago in a Cycle World or some other magazine.  It wieghed like 500 lbs. but it looked cool.  I think it was turbo.
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: pizzleboy on August 25, 2005, 01:25:50 PM
Quote from: RoadstergalDiesel bikes do exist.

Pics?  articles?  anything??  Bueller???
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: pizzleboy on August 25, 2005, 01:26:38 PM
Well, what do you know!

http://www.metaefficient.com/metaefficient/archives/news/efficient-diesel-motorcycle-created.html
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Jake D on August 25, 2005, 01:34:32 PM
Sorry.  450 lbs.  That is the exact bike I was talking about.  Yep.  

There you go.  Take your VW, cut the motor in half and viola!
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Blazinjr on August 25, 2005, 02:03:46 PM
Polaris made a Diesel utility ATV.  Why not make a diesel bike?
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Roadstergal on August 25, 2005, 02:05:54 PM
http://www.dieselmotorcycles.com/models.htm
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Mk1inCali on August 25, 2005, 02:26:08 PM
I know davipu's sister exists...and oh what a sister...
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Cal Price on August 25, 2005, 03:46:29 PM
Royal Enfield do a diesel bike, Ive seen a German one as well.
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: jiggersplat on August 25, 2005, 06:41:52 PM
bah.  i still want a wankel powered bike.  screw diesel.
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: natedawg120 on August 25, 2005, 06:55:20 PM
I once had a beer powered dirt bike.....  Broke down so i started pushing and drinking.  Made it about 2 miles thru a field before the engine backfired  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on August 25, 2005, 07:49:33 PM
(http://www.dieselmotorcycles.com/images/L_Black_flag.jpg)
Title: Enfield
Post by: The Buddha on August 25, 2005, 08:41:12 PM
Diesel enfield is a 325 CC diesel, made in india - its called a sooraj, has been around since the 60's atleast ... the Pic Yamahonkawasiki put up is a KLR made for the US army by Kawi ... Now in the looooong run, diesel motors will cost ya more than a gasoline motor ... of course that is over 250,000 miles, you run it for 100K and hock it at the next instant gas hits $4 a gal on to the next clueless newfie that comes along ...  :lol: You're good ... BTW old diesel rabbit will do 60mpg ... run like sheite and smell worse ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on August 26, 2005, 01:59:53 AM
actually, from what i read on site the bike i posted should be available to public, it is a close cousin of the military bike tho. :thumb:
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Mk1inCali on August 26, 2005, 08:18:21 AM
You could pull one of those engines out of the KLR and do a swap into a GS for diesel thumper conversion of sorts, just like a regular 2 stroke or whatever people do for swaps into GS's right?

Don't know much about diesel though, so just an idea...
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Blazinjr on August 26, 2005, 09:40:47 AM
This is not diesel related but has anyone ever swapped a 2 stroke engine into a GS frame?  There are a ton of Aftermarket stuff for the 350 Banshee twin engines and they are 6 speeds also.  Stock they have about the same HP as ours does stock.
Title: Diesel Bikes - why don't they exist?
Post by: Susuki_Jah on August 26, 2005, 10:27:21 AM
if anyone does get ahold of one of these desiel bikes they could run used vegitable oil such as they do in cars. http://www.greasecar.com/   thats basically free fuel. bio desiel is cool but not free and the govt only pays for half of what you spend . resteraunts pay to have there greece hauled off, make a contract with one , supply barrals, then bring it home with you, filter it out then use it. basically free.