Diesel Motorcycles

UPDATE:  Hayes to produce and sell a street version of its diesel motorcycle, called the D650-A1LE Bulldog!

Hayes Diversified Technologies, the designer and manufacturer of the Kawasaki KLR650-based M1030M1 JP8/Diesel Military Motorcycle, has announced that due to overwhelming response, they will produce a limited run of diesel motorcycles for sale.

Founded 1961 by Marvin Hayes Sr., Hayes has been providing diesel motorcycles and gas-fueled motorcycles and ATV’s to the military and law enforcement since 1982.

The company’s diesel motorcycle now meets the requirements of NATO’s single battlefield fuel doctrine.  Hayes was selected earlier this year by the United States Marine Corps to supply up to 500 combat diesel bikes. 

Hayes is currently undergoing a final review of Federal and State regulations with regards to commercial motorcycles.  They plan on accepting firm orders for the D650-A1LE Bulldog soon, to be built in 2006 as 2007 models. 

Hayes plans to offer individualized engine serial numbers for the Bulldog.  After receipt of a customer's deposit for the 2006 Ltd. D650-A1LE Bulldog, Hayes will provide the new owner with a custom, military-style leather Bomber Jacket that includes a special patch with the individualized engine serial number.

Additionally, each bike owner will receive individualized documentation and a bronze medallion with the individualized engine serial number.

Individualized engine serial numbers will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, with the exception of serial number 00001.  Hayes intends to auction off the first production unit with the proceeds going to a Marine Corps charity and the Marine Corps Heritage Museum in Quantico, Virginia.

Owners will be provided with monthly updates as to the progress of the commercial production.

They will also be offering a limited choice of colors and graphics.  Hayes says that they are working on color and graphic details now and will announce the options soon.

The Bulldog diesel motorcycle will have these features:

It will be the only production run of commercial diesel motorcycles that will use the military engine and limited to only 200 units.

• The D650-A1LE will have custom graphics by Wally World.
• It will have special Noleen/F1 rear suspension and custom tuned front suspension.
• The D650-A1LE will be available with the customer's choice of Dunlop D606 or D607 tires.
• Gearing will be customized to the rider's preference for on-road, off-road, or adventure touring.
• The D650-A1LE will have a custom seat cover.
• The D650-A1LE will have a custom, military style, tool kit, especially equipped for adventure touring.

Price
Now for the downside.  Don't expect to save much on fuel (diesel is currently averaging $2.79 per gallon in California at the time this was written).  The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the D650-A1LE Bulldog will be $18,999.00 (the price is subject to change until the opening of the initial offer to sell and some restrictions may apply.)

A non-refundable deposit of 10% of the purchase price will be required to hold the bike.  The balance will be due on presentation of documentation and notice that the unit is ready for shipment.  Deposits will be refunded if HDTUSA is unable to deliver their motorcycle.

I sure would like one!  Stay tuned for more.....

Diesel Motorcycle World Speed Records
Hayes has also recently established 8 World (FIM) and 3 American Motorcycle Association (AMA) records at Henry Ford’s racecourse at Bonneville Speedway this past week with their diesel motorcycle.

The Hayes diesel motorcycles used production engines and frames, but incorporated sleek and streamlined components to increase speed, and reduce wind resistance.

All records are “unofficial” until the AMA and FIM have certified them. HDTUSA owner and rider Fred Hayes currently holds the two AMA diesel records for the M-D 650 and M-DB 650 classes. The “unofficial” FIM speeds were:

• Division A, Type III, Class 1, Kilometer, 154.392 km/h, mile, 95.875 mph
• Division A, Type IV, Class 1, Kilometer, 167.893 km/h, mile, 104.512 mph
• Division B, Type III, Class 1, Kilometer, 163.709 km/h, mile, 101.618 mph
• Division B, Type IV, Class 1, Kilometer, 169.261 km/h, mile, 104.997 mph

Three new changes included a center-mounted radiator, new—smaller fuel tanks and lowered suspension.  Full fairings were utilized for two of the classes.  Pre-Bonneville tests showed that engine power increased 8 to 10 percent for both the normally aspirated engine and the turbo-charged engine.

“We had a chance to test our new generation engines this year,” exclaims Fred Hayes, owner/rider of the Hayes diesel bikes. “These new benchmarks proved again that our diesel bikes provide great performance and are commercially viable.”

The BUB crew did an outstanding job in preparing the course after heavy rains.  The course was very smooth and fast. According to Hayes, the event was very well run and the diesel team made more than 20 passes during the 4 days of the event.

Even with the gain in engine power, Hayes states that the engines were still easy to start and didn’t loose any of the smooth power delivery of the original military motorcycle diesel engine. There is just more power everywhere in the rpm range.

For more information, contact Hayes Diversified Technologies.

Diesel Motorcycle Information:  Diesel motorcycles - yes, they do exist! Here's info on several different makes/models  |  Stats on the 2001 Royal Enfield Taurus Diesel  |  Article on the 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 Diesel conversion  |  More Diesel motorcycles, including movies of the Kawasaki military diesel  |  Motorcycle diesels, including information on a mysterious BMW R100RT diesel conversion  |  New diesel sportbike and supermoto combination from the Netherlands  |  Check out the Diesel Wiesel from Germany

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