Will alternative fuels ever be commonplace with motorcycles?

Chris Paukert

Do you see a day when gasoline power will give way to other alternative fuels like electricity and diesel as a mainstream energy source for motorcycles? Fuel economy is less of a concern with bikes for obvious reasons, and gas engine emissions can likely be effectively improved for the forseeable future, so the question is... will other power sources rise to prominence, or is motorcycledome destined to stay almost exclusively gas-powered?

Discuss (13 comments)
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Mena

I think bikes will probably be the one of the last to switch to whatever. Commercial vehicles will be the very last.

Wed, 08/20/2008 - 18:10
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motorcycle helmet lock

I must agree with him but all ain all not a bad design could use some a little work

Tue, 03/10/2009 - 16:54
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Ducati Minor

Don't see it happening soon.

Fri, 08/22/2008 - 04:10
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BillS

One interesting question is whether lightweight energy recovery will happen (e.g. capacitive storage). If a Yamaha R6 could have more torque, that seems desirable.

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 20:35
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Chuck S

As someone who occasionally rides with a group of Harley jockeys (on my quiet 1985 Honda VF700S) I would like to see the HDs retrofitted with electric motors. I don't know why people insist on building bikes with jet-level decibel output. To satisfy those folks, HD could equip their electic-powered machines with spoke-activated "clackers" like kids used to have on their bicycles.

Wed, 09/03/2008 - 23:58
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BMW

I didn't know the Harley was a motorcycle?

Thu, 09/04/2008 - 02:25
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Nick

I would absolutely love to have a supermoto bike (a cannondale s440, perhaps) that runs on ethanol.

Thu, 09/04/2008 - 13:05
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Anonymous

I'd love to see an all electric motorcycle. The torque curve will be crazy flat. No more revving up the engine just to get any torque. You'll be able to take off like bat out of hell right from RPM 0.

Thu, 09/04/2008 - 17:15
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Sylvain Alarie

Anyones know anythings about Fuel Legacy? that product suppose to clean, help to burned better the gas...

Fri, 09/05/2008 - 07:54
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mike ridley

There are folk's who have converted there motorcycles from a petrol (gas) engines to ones which use a diesel engine.
There was one at a show over here in the UK, which used a Honda VFR rolling stock and a 1.1 diesel engine. It looked real neat, it also pull a single wheeled trailer.
So they are out there but will the manufacturers build any??

Fri, 09/05/2008 - 08:12
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Joe Reilly

I can see alternative fuels such as natural gas which retains the internal combustion engine but I can't imagine an electric motor in a Harley.

Sun, 11/09/2008 - 07:01
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Otto

The main issue to overcome with motorcycles is energy density. Until we have an alternative that approaches the energy density of gasoline (at a reasonable cost, both monetarily and performance-wise) alternative fuels will be a niche player in the motorcycle market.

Sun, 11/09/2008 - 18:05
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