Would you ride a diesel?

[A2rider]

Thunder Star 1200 brochure in English - The Kneeslider


Star Twin ThunderStar 1200 TDI diesel motorcycle

The Star Twin ThunderStar 1200 diesel motorcycle was introduced to the public a fortnight ago at the MotoRai Motorcycle Show in the Rai (Amsterdam). It is an entirely different type of motorcycle to any diesel-engined motorcycle that has come before it.

Despite its name, the Star Twin ThunderStar 1200 TDI is a three cylinder diesel motorcycle but it has the performance and weight of a normal road bike.

Developed by Star Twin Motors in Loenen, The Netherlands, the project was initiated by the co-owner of Star Twin Motors, Kees van der Starre, who for years had looked at diesel motorcycles being fabricated with underwhelming results, knowing that new developments in automotive diesel engines could produce an engine that was as good, if not better suited for a motorcycle than a normal gasoline engine.

Star Twin, a company over in Holland, has designed and built the Thunder Star 1200 TDI Sportbike. This is a 1200cc, three cylinder turbocharged direct injection diesel. They started with a 3 cylinder diesel engine from the VW Lupo, redesigned numerous parts using SolidWorks 3D computer modeling software, created patterns from those models and had them cast in aluminum. They use an FJ1200 5 speed gearbox. The frame is their own design.

Power output begins at 80bhp and 165 foot pounds of torque, BUT, a bit of remapping of the engine controls increases this to 120bhp and 250 foot pounds at 5500rpm! The bike weighs 450 pounds. You do the math, by my calculations that results in an ear to ear grin. The bike is not to the production stage yet and they are exploring lots of different configurations, touring, commuter, etc.

[YurFatMom]

Cool!

[Svetlana]

I could say yes, but really that doesn't get us anywhere. The question is, would you ride one, Tina? For the mechanics in the house, what do you all think of it? Sounds like it's something worth doing if we look at the latest high performance diesel car engines, but on a bike....

btw, I like its look!

[RichLockyer]

I'd love one.
A 1600 Classic converted to an oil burner would pull over 50mpg and you'd never have to downshift to climb a hill or pass someone.

[A2rider]

Here's another one

Neander Turbo Diesel Motorcycle is Introduced - The Kneeslider



motorcycles and the bike you see here is one very cool answer.

This bike belongs to Jeff who built it about 3 years ago but I never saw it until I was looking for information on diesels and ran across their website, Hydraulic Innovations. This bike has a custom built frame and mounts a Kubota 3 cylinder diesel engine but what makes the bike even more unique is the hydrostatic drive system, no belts, no chains, no gear drive transmission just hydraulic pumps and motors

You still control speed with a twist grip and there’s a front brake lever on the right but the “clutch” lever actually opens a bypass valve to let hydraulic fluid recirculate instead of driving the bike. There is only one foot lever on the right side which has a sort of neutral position in the center, pushing it forward gets the bike in forward motion and pushing it to the rear actually can reverse the bike. Jeff says, theoretically it could go as fast in reverse as forward but he limited the speed to prevent things from getting out of hand.

This is no garage queen either, Jeff rides it regularly. The bike gets about 65 to 70 mpg in normal riding but when he’s out for a leisurely cruise, Jeff says he can easily get over 80 mpg, not bad for an 1123cc diesel engine in a 700 pound bike with another 200 pounds of rider. The fuel tank holds the diesel fuel and there is a 2 gallon tank below it for hydraulic fluid. The bike will cover over 350 miles per fill up. He’s been to Sturgis for 3 years now and the guys he rides with fill up 3 times to his one when they’re on the road.

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by Svetlana

I could say yes, but really that doesn't get us anywhere. The question is, would you ride one, Tina? For the mechanics in the house, what do you all think of it? Sounds like it's something worth doing if we look at the latest high performance diesel car engines, but on a bike....

btw, I like its look!

Yes, I would ride one. Torque and horsepower alone would do it.

[A2rider]

Tilting V-Max







Though there’s much testing ahead, Mighell has ridden the V-Max and says it handles like a bike. The trike front end is heavier, so wheelies are probably out. Heavy application of the front brakes will slide the front wheels — it seems stoppies are out too. Mighell credits that to the low V-Max center of gravity, plus the fact that all braking forces are fed into the frame very low, instead of through the steering head.

At rest, the trike acts just like a two wheeler: it’ll fall over unless the center stand, side stand or the rider’s feet are down. Mighell hopes to develop a speed-sensitive pivot lock to kick in as the machine comes to rest and enable the rider to keep feet on the pegs. Also in the future, he’s considering models for other popular models like Harley-Davidson Dynas and Honda Gold Wings.

[Jams]

I would if the price of Diesel would drop below preimum . Naw just kidding, I know you'd get more MPG with the diesel than with a reg prem gas. So Yea, I would lmao.

[captaintoad1]

why wait for the price of diesel to go down? make your own bio diesel!!

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by Jams

I would if the price of Diesel would drop below preimum . Naw just kidding, I know you'd get more MPG with the diesel than with a reg prem gas. So Yea, I would lmao.

Ya... my '06 Duramax got the same MPG as my '03 Tundra.
Tundra = 4500lbs 2wd extended cab
Duramax = 8000lbs 4x4 crew cab

Originally Posted by captaintoad1

why wait for the price of diesel to go down? make your own bio diesel!!

I'm wondering how long that's going to last (as a cottage industry).
The new ULSD fuel is dyed green.
Ever get the tank "dipped" to check for red fuel? I'm thinking it's not going to be long before they check not only for red, but for the lack of green.

[Tod]

I'd ride a Thunder Star, that thing looks cool.

Now if only it was certified to run on SVO/WVO for that Deep Fried Exhaust smell.

[zedx11]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

I'm wondering how long that's going to last (as a cottage industry).
The new ULSD fuel is dyed green.
Ever get the tank "dipped" to check for red fuel? I'm thinking it's not going to be long before they check not only for red, but for the lack of green.

seen something on tv about bio diesel, they said something about paying tax on the fuel you make. I understand why but that is really messed up.

[PocoLoco]

Sorry but I think those are all REALLY ugly bikes...

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by PocoLoco

Sorry but I think those are all REALLY ugly bikes...

Ya? So? The A-10 is a really ugly airplane too

[ervins]

Not on that bike...I need to go somewhere in style...Just like driving a Prius...Saves money on gas but you are either looked at as a cheap arse, tree hugger, or a person who cares little about looks and the such...My bike saves me gas over my truck already so I will be harsh and say it...Gas price for my bike means nothing.

Originally Posted by A2rider

Thunder Star 1200 brochure in English - The Kneeslider


Star Twin ThunderStar 1200 TDI diesel motorcycle

The Star Twin ThunderStar 1200 diesel motorcycle was introduced to the public a fortnight ago at the MotoRai Motorcycle Show in the Rai (Amsterdam). It is an entirely different type of motorcycle to any diesel-engined motorcycle that has come before it.

Despite its name, the Star Twin ThunderStar 1200 TDI is a three cylinder diesel motorcycle but it has the performance and weight of a normal road bike.

Developed by Star Twin Motors in Loenen, The Netherlands, the project was initiated by the co-owner of Star Twin Motors, Kees van der Starre, who for years had looked at diesel motorcycles being fabricated with underwhelming results, knowing that new developments in automotive diesel engines could produce an engine that was as good, if not better suited for a motorcycle than a normal gasoline engine.

Star Twin, a company over in Holland, has designed and built the Thunder Star 1200 TDI Sportbike. This is a 1200cc, three cylinder turbocharged direct injection diesel. They started with a 3 cylinder diesel engine from the VW Lupo, redesigned numerous parts using SolidWorks 3D computer modeling software, created patterns from those models and had them cast in aluminum. They use an FJ1200 5 speed gearbox. The frame is their own design.

Power output begins at 80bhp and 165 foot pounds of torque, BUT, a bit of remapping of the engine controls increases this to 120bhp and 250 foot pounds at 5500rpm! The bike weighs 450 pounds. You do the math, by my calculations that results in an ear to ear grin. The bike is not to the production stage yet and they are exploring lots of different configurations, touring, commuter, etc.

[Squidly]

you people are all INSANE! 250 lb/ft of torque?????!!!!!!!!!!! ALL OF US have very wet fantasies every night about that kind of arm ripping power! how about 1 second top gear roll-ons from 60-80mph or 80-100mph? with stats like those, i dont see it being that far-fetched. so yep, i want one. lots.

[Falx250r]

lets see if they can put that powerplant in less monstrously ugly of a body, then ill ride it.

[Tim_Stanley_47]

What size gun was that you would hold to my head to "make" me ride a diesel bike? Sorry, it is just my opinion but diesels have their place and they don't belong on a motorcycle.

Tim

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by Squidly

you people are all INSANE! 250 lb/ft of torque?????!!!!!!!!!!! ALL OF US have very wet fantasies every night about that kind of arm ripping power! how about 1 second top gear roll-ons from 60-80mph or 80-100mph? with stats like those, i dont see it being that far-fetched. so yep, i want one. lots.

+1:

[love2ride]

Id rather ride this diesel.
http://www.angelfire.com/mo/motormar...s/mvc_001s.jpg