Have you seen this - 1000km on a full tank ?

The Enfield Diesel.

Engine: Lombardini 6 LD, 325 Lombardini 6 LD, 435 Lombardini 15 LD 440, Ruggerini 851

Capacity: 325 ccm, 436 ccm, 442 ccm and 851 ccm twin cylinder.

Power: 5 KW (6.5 HP), 7.3 KW (10 HP), 8.1 KW (11 HP), 14.5 KW (19.7 HP) all at 3600 rpm

max. Torque: 15 Nm at 2500 rpm, 24 Nm at 2200 rpm, 25 Nm at 2400 rpm and 40.5 Nm at 2400 rpm

Compression: 18:1, 18:1, 20.3:1 & 19:1
Maximum speed approx.. 85 km/h, 105 km/h, 110 km/h and 125 km/h

Consumption approx.. 1.5 l/100km, 1.7 l/100 km, 1.7 l/100km and 2.5 l/100km.

Price standard: (Euros) 3,950. - 4,950, - 5,400, - & 7.100,

with electric-start - (not available on the 325 model). 5,500, - 5,700, & - 7,100,

More info can be found on the website <A HREF="http://home.t-online.de/home/Beckedorf/enfield.htm">http://home.t-online.de/home/Beckedorf/enfield.htm</A>


Listen To It Here

That is not really anew idea. I have definitely seen one if not two Enfield Bullets running around North Wales for years.

Saw one once at a Classic bike show at Bodelwydden Castle with Steve Murray.

Very neat bikes as well not Heath Robinson affairs

If you're that desperate to save fuel, just stay at home.

Interesting that 100 years ago in 1904 the first known diesel motorcycle was built;in Holland I think.
"The Doppler" and it had a "Brons" motor.

Isn't that Enfield built in India with an Italian engine?

Another thought for the future - BMW make diesel engines for more and more of their car models - BMW also make motorcycles.
Given the advances in diesel technology and the rising price of fuel it is not impossible that they could produce something reasonable.

Britain is currently supplying advanced diesel technology for motorcycles to equip the US army.

Will we see a diesel class at the TT?
Many old Bedford bus drivers would have tears in their eyes if they could hear that classic rattle as they accelerated away from the start!

I recall Enfield India (I think) releasing a diesel about 7-8 years ago called the Robin?? got tests in most of the bike mags and Top Gear - and the consumption was ............ low (no one bought one).

Could be the answer to increasing speeds at road races?

It used to appear every year in the parades at the NW200.

Saving fuel is or was in my day the most important part of buying a car or m/cycle,ok if your stinkin rich but i aint, anyway diesel cars are probably better sellers than petrol.

sam, it was a robin engine, not the name of the bike.
cheers, ade!

Not so far fetched really.

The Rigid Twin ThunderStar 1200 TDI was shown for the first time officially to the public in October 2004. The ThunderStar 1200 TDI is a 1200 cc 3-cylinder, turbo-diesel motorcycle. This is the first motorcycle, where diesel economy combines with the power of modern diesel engines.

The motorcycle has been developed by Kees van of the Rigid and Jeroen Bernart of Rigid Twin Motors of Loenen in Holland, using mainly Dutch parts and committment. The ThunderStar was designed in 3D CAD before the bike build was attempted.

It will be interesting to gauge the reaction of the public to a fast, sports diesel motorcycle.

This coming year, Rigid Twin expects to receive a a Dutch distinguishing (patent ?) mark for this prototype, and also hope to paticipate in the first rounds on (inter) national circuits, in long distance races.

How and when the motorcycle will come into production, depends on the interest and reactions of individiuals and the public.



Read More On Diesel Motorcycles Here

Nothing is new.

On July 3 1937, in the Swiss Grand Prix at Berne (also that year carrying the title Grand Prix of Europe), a Diesel-engined Stewit started in the 500cc race, ridden by Walter Hess.

Retired lap 3, but that's not the point -- it happened!!

Must have been a first?

Just think of the torque coming out of the Gooseneck a four gallon tank for six laps and no need to refuel.

Not much chance though if Honda dont build one, the little Texas Ranger would'nt allow it.

i wonder how long it will be before the rider of one of these bikes moans about car drivers dropping petrol at roundabouts? :-]
ade!

imagine trying to bump one along glencrutchery road if it wouldn't fire on the button? let's see, my peugeot is 23 to 1 compression. what would a race engine be?
ade!

I read an article in the "Motorrad" over a diesel engine in a bike. It was built by an univerity and it looks very good. 1300 cc and 70 HP.
Michael

I actually saw one of these machines in Berlin on Thursday....I wasn't quick enough to get a pic but it had that distinctive sound...It WAS a diesel Enfield............

How Christmassy, to see a Robin bob-bob-bobbing along unter den linden...