Diesel Moto
 

Yes, diesel motorcycle that doesn't look like a Kawasaki KLR:

https://www.gizmag.com/go/6493/

Taking shape pretty nicely:

https://olirider.smugmug.com/photos/4...2_53THS-X2.jpg

https://olirider.smugmug.com/photos/4...6_g9W2f-X2.jpg

https://olirider.smugmug.com/photos/4...0_RRfag-X2.jpg

https://olirider.smugmug.com/photos/4...5_YxzLN-X2.jpg

https://olirider.smugmug.com/photos/4...6_XGGgX-X2.jpg

Looks like a CVT:

https://olirider.smugmug.com/photos/4...2_EBVs3-X2.jpg

Pretty cool. I like the olive drab KLR-looking bikes, though. The CVT is an interesting feature... with some fine tuning, I bet they're really able to keep that diesel in its narrow powerband. :thumbup:

Colin

Smaller displacement engine, lighter? bike..

https://www.motociclismo.it/Edisport/...3/$file/03.jpg

800 cc Diesel bike
Smart car diesel engine
40 km/l
900 km range
175 km/h
225 Kg
22 l fuel tank

https://www.motociclismo.it/Edisport/...5/$file/01.jpg


https://www.motociclismo.it/Edisport/...5/$file/05.jpg

mileage is listed at 40 km/liter, or 2.5 liters/100 km. This is within spitting distance of the VW Lupo, a "3 liter car". VW also made a prototype "1 liter car", in other words, a car that can go 100 km on a liter of gas.

Nobody has yet answered my question: Why do motorcycles that weigh a small fraction of the mass of a car, and that are equippped with far less powerful engines get such proportinately crappy mileage?

I think part of it is aerodynamics.

even if the bike is covered with aero mods, you are sticking out of the top of it catching wind. the guys at the salt flats that go for speed records make theirs up like bullets and are very aerodynamically sound. a big difference between that and some dude on a 600.

that is just a guess though, there are probably more factors involved than that.

cD on a motorcycle is terrible. There's far less engine, transmission, and electronic fuel-saving technology. There's also far less government requirements and market demands driving FE improvements. Additionally, could drive chains be very lossy?

When you consider those things, 40km/l for a 500 pound bike with a 150 pound rider, vs. 17km/l for a 2000 pound car with a 150 pound driver vs. 8km/l for a 5000 pound truck doesn't really sound that bad

EVA Track-T800CDI Diesel motorcycle
"112 miles per gallon at 55 miles per hour"

https://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/03...pped-with-eng/