Economy or Power or a bit of Both?

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:38 pm

He's something I'd like to get your opinion/vote on:

If a manufacturer was going to produce a Diesel Motorcycle, what market should he aim it at? I reckon they should go for the 3rd option personally, a good balance of both. What do you guys want from your ideal bike?

Diesel Graham · Post by **Diesel Graham** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:27 pm

given the way diesel pumps work, it should be no trouble to have a lever to adjust the fueling between economy and power.

Graham.

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:31 pm

True, with electronic injection and the whole common rail thing it shouldn't be hard to incorperate a switch to flick from one to the other. But you still have to lift the hood on a car to that these days.
The extremes that could be presented in the way of possible bikes are enormous. It power bike could do 60 mpg or a super lightweight could do 250mpg plus.
The question remains :What is your preference?

oldbmw · Post by **oldbmw** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:37 pm

I would want a bike with enough power to sustain 70-75mph, It does not have to like it, just be capable of it when necessary. Not beyond the reach of 15-18 bhp. Anything more is a bonus. I would also want it to be more fuel efficient than an equivalent petrol bike. So if it could significantly out perform a lean burn Enfield, that would do teh trick for me. Umm Also cost and weigh less than a top of the range BMW

The Somer is nearly there, bit unsure about the Beckedorf /punsun V twin.
If that proves to be reliable.... I might be tempted.

andrewaust · Post by **andrewaust** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:58 am

A good balance of both would be good, especially if you can have a economy/power button that alters the injection.

With all the pollution laws coming along, I can see nearly all diesels running common rail injection - so programming a ECU for variations would be a nice thing to have.

The real biggie has to do with oil prices, and availability of fuel in the not to distant future if what we are reading is true.

At least we can run on alternate oil if need be, economy would be a good thing to have at a flick of a switch.

If you were to aim at 30-40 hp, economy still could be maintained at an acceptable level.

Cheers

Andrew

balboa_71 · Post by **balboa_71** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:39 pm

I'd like 70 mph top speed. 500 to 600 lbs weight, huge automotive type clutch, side car (I believe it's called Earls) type front end, shaft drive with PTO for a side car with right wheel drive (differential type PTO). High/low range for offroad work, automotive type tubeless tires, cast rims, automotive alternator, forced fan cooling, inline 2 or 3 cylinder, oil cooler..... you get the picture, 50 mpg and built like a tank.

Cris

TimppaX · Post by **TimppaX** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:48 pm

You´ll have to start building one from Ural sidecar.

balboa_71 · Post by **balboa_71** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:33 pm

I had the pleasure of driving one of their 2wd units 10 years ago, kept it for 2 weeks. If there was a simular ride with diesel power and a high/low range gear box, that would be ideal. The Urals suffer off road from being heavy and not having a "granny" low gear

Cris

DieselBike.net

Economy or Power or a bit of Both?

Would you like your ideal Diesel Bike to give you just Power, Economy or a good balance of both?

Economy or Power or a bit of Both?

power/economy

tank bike

ural sidecar rig