A modified BMW R 1150 RT bike set a land speed record of 130 mph using a 2.0L BMW diesel 3-series engine. The engine was found in a junk yard, and was converted to run on biodiesel fuel. The record was set at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
The bike was ridden by Michael Sturtz, the founder and executive director of The Crucible (here ), which is an artistic industrial design center in Oakland, CA...
The project, nicknamed "Die Moto," has set a goal of running 160 mph, by raising the maximum rpm by 700, which mean improving the electronic engine management system.
Full story here at AutoblogGreen.
Full story here at AutoblogGreen.
moparbad says:
01:15 PM, 09/22/07
It is a good thing this took place in Utah and not California. CA hates diesels!
Everyone knows that diesels are slooowwww, how the heck did one reach 130 mph?
puristsoul says:
11:29 PM, 09/22/07
130mph is a land speed record?? My landcruiser could almost muster that! I'm not impressed. Unless, someone can explain the feat to me.
rsholland says:
06:58 AM, 09/23/07
While I agree, 130 mph is not that fast, it is for a "biodiesel" powered bike—of which this is probably the first ever to be tested at Bonneville. So you start there, and and work your way up.
puristsoul says:
03:24 AM, 09/24/07
Thanks for the response. At least now I can appreciate it. I guess that also explains why they started with an RT-to work their way up to a K1200S. While we're on the subject: I think an electric bike makes a whole lot of sense when it comes to speed records and reducing pollutants.
moparbad says:
08:11 AM, 09/24/07
puristsoul- If you are interested in electric motorcyles then you should watch this http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7016396674774395461&q=killacycle&total=30&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2 video of Killacycle.
ateixeira says:
08:09 AM, 09/26/07
Pretty cool!
puristsoul says:
01:46 AM, 09/27/07
Oooh!-Maybe electric bikes are not the way to go..But, I was right they are clean and frighteningly fast! Did that guy die? That was insane! And no helmet either! Seems there are some bugs to work out. But, the idea still intruiges me. The only thing that appeals to me about deisel engines is the mileage. But, I can't help thinking that it's a step in the wrong direction.