Diesel power is everywhere in the automotive world, as you'll find it in trucks, vans, buses, and even some SUVs. And for good reason. There’s something deeply satisfying about the relentless torque, rock-solid durability, and long-legged fuel economy of a good diesel engine.
I’ve owned a number of diesel-powered rigs over the years, and my current daily driver is a diesel-powered Toyota Hilux. Needless to say, they’ve all delivered in spades when it came to hauling, highway cruising, and just soaking up the miles with dependable grunt. So it’s a natural question for folks like me: why aren’t there any proper diesel motorcycles?
Well, there are a few obvious reasons. Diesel engines aren’t exactly known for their high-revving nature, which isn’t ideal in a world where motorcycles thrive on power-to-weight ratios and top-end performance. There’s also the weight penalty, not to mention the signature diesel clatter that’s a far cry from the thunderous roar of a V-twin or the banshee howl of an inline-four. And let’s not forget the ever-tightening emissions standards, which haven’t done diesel any favors lately.
