Why There Aren't Diesel Motorcycles

I love cars, but I really love motorcycles. Driving a fast car can feel like flying a jet. But a fast bike, that feels like flying with a cape. I’ve spent a huge part of my life on two wheels. I’ve sacrificed time, money, friendships, even my own body to bikes. But after all that, I’ve never ridden – or even seen – a diesel motorcycle. And that got me curious: Why aren’t there any diesel motorcycles? Well, we’re about to find out!

#donutmedia #motorcycles #bumper2bumper #diesel #motorcycle #motorcyclelife

Bumper 2 Bumper (also known as "B2B") is a show hosted by Jeremiah Burton that goes into detail about the engineering and technology of various cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and other technical automotive topics.

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[zero]

KLR-650 bike the marine corps uses will run on either jet fuel or diesel. That’s not bad. For a few gallons of diesel and a box of crayons you can keep the bike and the rider fueled up and ready to go.

[gavin]

Interesting so why doesn't Harley make a diesel motorcycle? They already have all the downsides

[VinayKapoor]

A diesel conversion kit was available back in the 90's for Royal Enfield 350 cost was around 20000₹ that's roughly 270$

[hsjawanda]

The Enfield Taurus was popular in India's rural areas, where the customer's priorities are typically different. They're usually not looking for flash or speed, but reliability, low TCO, fuel efficiency, ruggedness, simplicity (easier repair etc.) and durability, and the Taurus offered all that in spades. I remember an auto magazine once jokingly saying that the Taurus would reliably give you 60 kmpl (kilometres per litre/ 226.8 mpg) no matter the load ("whether there was one person, two people or you were towing an ox with it" (or something like that)). Never rode it myself, but the petrol (gasoline) version of the Royal Enfield Bullet was a smooth, effortless cruiser.

[Uzknown]

"in 2000, one year before I was born.."

Fuck, I'm old.

[sahilsagwekar]

The diesel Royal Enfield bullet is a legend in India for it's mileage.
Edit:- thanks for the likes. 👁️👄👁️

[ChristianMallinson]

“I love cars, but I really LOVE motorcycles” as well! I’d love to see more motorcycle content from Donut. I’m a little bit of a BMW Boxer fanboy. Naturally, anything that covers any mode from das bairische motoren werke is cool by me!

[scasny]

i love how he stated several times how much simpler diesel is then explain several complications, but in short diesel is scalable up and gas down. That is why container ships run diesel but a lawnmower is gasoline. Also i ride my bike in quite cold weather and have to wait to build up heat to run properly, diesel is famous to have massive problems starting cold and take way too long to get to operating temperature. The biggest killer for diesel is short distance when you build up carbon deposits fast and dont bring it to temperature to burn it off.

[sirhousecat]

This was a refreshing change of pace, so I'd definitely like more motorcycle content from you guys.

[Fuakh]

"Bikes have to be small and lightweight"
*Harley Davidson*: "Am i a joke to you?"

[yammienoob]

KLR650 Diesel dawg. But I'm pretty sure a KLR will run on moonshine anyways

[s_s_rsh]

I remember going on a fairly long ride on royal Enfield diesel once. Didn't feel any potholes on Indian roads.. mostly because the thud from the engine was constantly re-aligning my bones and changing the pace of my heart every now and then. 😅

[Gaboagz]

As a car driver and motorcyclist 50-50, I want more motorcycle stuff, yes, yes and definitely yes.

[Pavlos_Charalambous]

That military diesel KLR looks like the ultimate post apocalypse bike

[SanHydronoid]

Today I learned that Jeremiah's younger than me. I now feel even less accomplished. Smashing

[trishanuray]

When I was 15, I spoke with owner of a Royal Enfield Diesel. Swapped with an agro engine. Owner complained of weight and bad handling.

[jochenstacker]

"Some people might like a motorcycle that's loud and vibrates too much."
Aren't those called Harleys?

[RoonMian]

"Some people... Might like a motorcycle that's loud and vibrates their butts." I see Harley fans are getting some shade today :D

[franciscope]

I’m surprised harley owners don’t diesel swap their bikes! They’re already: big heavy loud vibrating underpowered high torque low power… I’d imagine harley riders would happily coal roll people too!

[vbtktr]

Two acquaintance of mine had "Royal Enfield Taurus" both were satisfied with it's performance. Both were city users not long distance user. The time period when this bike was launched there was huge price difference between Diesel and Petrol. May be they are not using this bike anymore because of lack of spare parts. It's engine looked like and sounded like regular small agriculture water pump's engine.