Hello, again from The New Forest

[Snave]

Hi, and Hi again for those who know me from my work at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, where I was responsible for the first major show expose of the exponents of the diesel bike at the sadly defunct `Motorcycle World` show. ( I say `sadly`, but it only lasted one piss-poor effort after Frank Levy and I left, so f*** 'em they never understood what they had until they didn't have it any more so perhaps I should say, and pardon the Simpsons analogy: "Ha-Ha"!)

I am now Parts Sales & Marketing Manager for Fuel Mechanics Ltd, in Lymington, Hants. Specialists in the diesel fuel injection and governor market in the marine and oil & gas industries, we are the official sales and service agents for L'Orange, Bosch, and the only AISF-approved distributor and service centre for Woodward governors in England. Find us on the web if you need to.

Like many here, I share the interest in `alternative` solutions, where alternative means not some eco-Nazi telling me what is and isn't `green` or some pseudo-scientist espousing a purely political - as opposed to scientifically proven - idea. For me, `alternative` in bike design means abandoning the motorised-bicycle and the pathetic aerodynamics and anachronistic telescopic forks that were outmoded in the 20th Century, much less the 21st. For me too, modern motorcycles are an impediment to development, not an embodiment...

It is a plain fact that 99% or modern motorcycles are ridden 99% of the time at less than 20% of their capacity, and the rapacious demands of cylinder-fill over fuel efficiency renders almost all of todays motorcycles about as relevant as a Dodo trap for your Rhubarb. Any benefit is purely incidental. The diesel represents the current best-solution for the real-world demands of modern commuter and touring machines, and for off-roaders too. One day the World will wake up to this. I look forward to the day of the small turbo-diesel, CVT scooter capable of 100mph and 100mpg at the same time.

[andrewaust]

Hey snave



Welcome to the forum - Yeah have to agree on the last part, I'd love a diesel dirtbike that can do 1000 K's on a tank, not really for cost efficiency, more the need to have something with good range, modern enduro bikes have 6 - 8 liter tanks which is absolutely hopeless here where I live (what happened to the 13+ fuel capacity ). Carrying 5-10 liters of fuel on your back is not a pleasant thing.

Thinking outside the square is my thing also, makes you see things in a whole new prospective hey !


A

[Snave]

Hey snave



Welcome to the forum - Yeah have to agree on the last part, I'd love a diesel dirtbike that can do 1000 K's on a tank, not really for cost efficiency, more the need to have something with good range, modern enduro bikes have 6 - 8 liter tanks which is absolutely hopeless here where I live (what happened to the 13+ fuel capacity ). Carrying 5-10 liters of fuel on your back is not a pleasant thing.

Thinking outside the square is my thing also, makes you see things in a whole new prospective hey !

A

"He who travels fastest, stops least". If bikes can be made that offer 140-150mpg at economical - but still reasonable and relevant - cruising speeds then the why reduce the storage capacity? It may just be me and wishful thinking, but didn't the bike industry-standard used to be 5-5.5 gallons? Today it's 4-4.5 gallons, but with no commensurate decrease in fuel consumption? Does that make any sense at all? To me it doesn't. Only the giant trailies seem to have cottoned-on to the Ultimate Truth. Everyone else can discuss it at the pumps. Frequently!

In general aviation where weight is a constant preoccupation turbp-diesels have, through improved fuel consumption, allowed for a reduction in fuel load for a given range, offsetting the extra weight of the powerplant. Diesels in bikes could offer the same advantages. Electric motors cannot.

[Stuart]

Welcome Snave,
Must agree with you as regards mpg figures and modern machinery. My new Triumph is a great bike and I support this country's bike industry. The bike is extremely well made but mpg figures are, like most modern bikes, not very good. They are comparable to my brothers works van in fact and in this day and age something has gotta give.
The sqeeze has already started I think but it's pretty low key. We're helping guys exchange ideas here and showcasing their efforts to inspire others. And encouraging fellow riders to ride great distances to attend eachothers rallies. Almost unseen, towns here in the UK are increasingly licencing these Tuk tuk taxi things from the far east, many of which run on used veggie oil as well.
What we need is a solid, bullet proof, shaft driven, workhorse of a bike which boasts mpg figures to shame any petrol bike. A Diesel (multifuel) bike with a large tank would give bikers of the future far more freedom in a variety of areas. That's what it's all about isn't it? Getting Freedom back on our side and giving us the edge again. Being able to ride all day without the steering problem (of having to turn into a Gas station and empty our pockets) is a great feeling that precious few bikers enjoy today.

[smokyjoe]

It is a plain fact that 99% or modern motorcycles are ridden 99% of the time at less than 20% of their capacity, and the rapacious demands of cylinder-fill over fuel efficiency renders almost all of todays motorcycles about as relevant as a Dodo trap for your Rhubarb.

Good words, I almost peed my pants laughing!

Of course this doesn't take into account some of today's riders. A kid I work with is always complaining about the gas consumption of his 1100cc? Ninja, but he wore out the back tire after 1,000 miles! Go figure.