100mpg Diesel Motorcycle

[kilmer420]

@PoisonousBeef

Based on KLR650 pricing and the estimate in the article, this would run $6400-$6900. A little steep IMO, but I suppose you really can’t beat 100mpg. Power-wise, it shouldn’t drive incredibly different than the actual KLR, which is rated at 44hp/34tq. Looks like the Diesel is only making 30hp/33tq according to HDT’s site.

Question: Is 100mpg really worth the premium when you can get 55mpg from a stock KLR? Also, given that Diesel/Biodiesel are more expensive than gasoline, how much of an advantage is this in the short term?

Some gasoline bikes:
RSV Mille R (aka 110hp monster) gets 45mpg.
Ducati ST4S gets 60mpg.
Buell Blast gets 65mpg.
Kawasaki Ninja 250 gets 70mpg.
Royal Enfield Bullet gets 80+mpg (some claim 105mpg).

These bikes all have their own pros/cons, but off the top of my head a Ninja 250 can be had for like $1500 or less and they’ve been the same freaking bike for 20 years. I’m impressed that they finally put together a production diesel bike, but I’m not impressed enough to pay $6k when a brand new Ninja 250 is half that.

New ninja actually looks pretty cool! More info here:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/21february08_kawasaki2008ninja250r.htm