Filed under: Biodiesel, On Two Wheels, Europe/EU
EVA Track T800: a 2WD, biodiesel-powered adventure motorcycle
Adventure-style motorcycles are hot right now, and we can see why. The idea of traveling far and wide on a two-wheeler that's capable of traversing whatever comes its way is an intriguing proposition, and one made even more so by such machines like the genre-defining BMW R 1200 GS. The recipe seems pretty simple: take one torque-rich and fuel efficient engine; attach it to a frame with relaxed geometry and add rugged suspenders, tires and lots of cargo carrying capacity. Presto! You've got an adventure tourer. Simple, right? Here's a twist, though: replace the gas engine for one that runs on diesel. Brilliant!
A Dutch company known as EVA has been working on a new diesel-powered adventure tourer for the last few years, and the machines are reportedly ready for sales in Europe. A 54-horsepower oil-burner that's capable of running on biofuels is a great start, and the standard CVT transmission and optional two-wheel drive are icing on the cake. Fuel mileage of 100 miles per gallon at a steady 55 mph is the result, and a six gallon tank means that range will never be a problem. Click past the break for a short movie.
Gallery: EVA Track diesel motorcycle
[Source: EVA via Motorcycle Daily]
Video:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brent 2:32PM (1/14/2009)
Just wondering, did they discuss any price or release date/ manufactured quantity?
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Deezler 4:22PM (1/14/2009)
Netherlands website shows 17,500 Euro. Ouch!
Too bad. Thats exactly what I want.
ronEbear 3:07PM (1/14/2009)
Well it sure sounds diesel-e-fied.
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GoodCheer 3:47PM (1/14/2009)
I wonder what a CVT feels like with that combo of high torque and light weight.
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Tim 4:37PM (1/14/2009)
More Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/evaproducts
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jharlan 10:19PM (1/14/2009)
Very, very cool! I especially like the 100 MPG and 500 mile range (although I have never ridden a bike or car for that matter, that I could sit on for 500 miles without a break). CVTs are great (my Burgman has one) and 2 wheel drive is an option?
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Roland 11:30AM (1/15/2009)
Wow! A diesel M/C--CVT, aggresive touring style, 100 MPG's
I want one!
Looks like 800cc's to 1 liter sized engine going on here- as long as channel rail,direct injection, and a modern diesel style ECU is going on-- don't even have to include a turbo as with the motor will tear through that CVT.
This is the intermediate future of travel- efficient modern light diesel cars, p/u's, and motorcycles and the world can save up to 1/2 the oil usage spent on fuel and hold out for "post electric vehicles" like hydrogen power.
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DasBoese 12:55PM (1/15/2009)
I'm all for diesel motorcycles, but why did they have to go and slap a CVT on it?
I can't see any benefit for an offroad bike, what i can see are increased cost and maintenance. That's not something people buying that kind of bike are looking for.
A lot of motoryclists are traditionalists in that sense. They like to stick with the tried-and-true, especially when there aren't any directly obvious advantages of a new technology.
It's the same with a lot of those concepts, instead of sticking with a good, innovative basic concept, they try to go and make everything bleeding-edge.
I do wish them success, but I'm skeptical.
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Seth 3:29PM (1/15/2009)
So the BMW sets the standard?
What about the Kawasaki KLR-650 that the military uses in diesel?
I like that they are using the CVT, if only more manufacturers offered a CVT option - especially for commuters.
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