Evaproducts Track T800CDI Diesel Motorcycle Picture 8 of 8

Stan - wtf?  January 2, 2010 10:26 PM
I like the concept. The MPG concept, that is. But anyone that has lived a few decades knows that even gas powered engines can achieve better mpg than what's out there to date. Hell, I remember reading about the guy that invented the gas pill in the 70's (just add water). They probably shot him. Then there was the guy that invented the gas engine that got 100mpg (modified carburetion). Same fate I think. Just last week they interviewed a guy here in Florida that holds patents on his motor that has 40% fewer moving parts, some type of elipsoidal crank design I think, that also got 60mpg or beter, was smaller than most car engines, and could out perform them to boot. He's had that design for over 20 years, presented it to all the auto makers in Detroit, and they all said no thanks.

That's the American spirit these days... crushed by those that have and want to keep. If you think it's just the USA, then you don't know much about the global economy. Oil IS money. The more you need it, the more they'll charge you for it.

It'll be years after your bike's in production though before the USA ever sees one in a dealership, and who'll sell them? Not being mean, just wondering what kind of sales and distribution plan you have. If it's anything like Moto Guzzi, then you may as well stay in Europe cause they'll sell about a dozen a year as novelty bikes over here with their kind of marketing strategy (Guzzi mentality).

Uh, to the correspondant who said it should run on bio-diesel... a diesel motor WILL run on biodiesel. It'll pretty much run on watery human feces if it will flow through the fuel lines! You can run a diesel engine on kerosene if you wanted to. And what makes diesel so appealing? During the gas crisis of the 1970's when big cars went out and small came in, so did the diesel cars, and diesel fuel was, and is, still more expensive because of it.

I do tend to agree with a few comments. I would like a 6-speed shaft driven model (and that means put in a clutch!), a bit more torque, and hand over the fairing design to someone that can make it a bit less fugly.

Examples: For about $20k USD the turn signals should either be fairing interagted, or LARGER than those shown. The healights seem very minimal as well (scooter-ish). Wind protection also seems a bit on the sparse side, at least for my tastes. But then again I prefer sport touring machines with full fairings. I want bags with my bike too. And options like heated grips and seat (would be nice to have heated grips standard for $20k USD). Much larger windscreen and adjustable to boot. Oh, and self-canceling turn signals please.

Hmmmmm... maybe you can just slip that motor in my current bike?

Hmmmmm... there's an idea. Instead of making your own motorcycle why don't you sell the motor with conversion kits to companies or individuals for a fee and we American buyers can decide if we want our bikes with a turbo-diesel or regular gas engine! Or set up diesel conversion shops all across Europe and the USA and I'll bring mine in and you can charge me say $2-$3k to convert it to diesel?!

Damn, I forgot. It's realy not YOUR motor to begin with. You borowed it off a concept car, or bought the patent, which is another reason your cost is high. Paying out royalties for subcontracted parts to fill orders is not a way to build your own machine.

It's nice that it gets 140-150mpg, but that doesn't justify charging the same price as a BMW 1200GS or a Ducati Multistrada. Those bikes have a lot more going for them than your diesel does. Right now your ONLY selling point is mpg. Btw, did you buy the trellis frame from Ducati? That might explain the another third of your production cost.

I may sound mean, but honestly I'm just trying to give you a wake up call. You'd be better served developing a motorcycle that runs on hydrogen. THAT'S clean fuel, not diesel or any fossil fuel derivative. Quit pretending to care about being green in the meantime.