HDT/Kawasaki diesel ... this time for real?

[scarecrow]

HDT says the civilian diesel is real this time ...





an e-mail from HDT:

Dear Valued HDT Subscriber,
 

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the availability of HDT diesel and gasoline powered motorcycles for consumers.  As you are probably aware, HDT has made announcements in the past about releasing a diesel powered motorcycle to the consumer public.  Despite previous efforts to produce this motorcycle, plans were never actuated due to resource constraints and an effort to keep with our core focus of developing vehicle products for the US Military.  Beginning in July 2009, HDT has undergone a major expansion which has put us in a position to properly consider a commercial motorcycle product offering.  Below you will find detailed information and images about our consumer motorcycle products.  We are currently gathering market data to determine the true level of interest in these products as defined by the following pricing and specifications:  

http://hdtusa.com/html-emails/hdt-at1-le.html

http://hdtusa.com/html-emails/hdt-b2-le.html

http://hdtusa.com/html-emails/hdt-m2-le.html

After reviewing our products, we would greatly appreciate your feedback in our short 10-question survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/hdtusa
    

Sara Terlecki
HDT - Hayes Diversified Technologies, Inc.

 

[Rabidsnipe]

As cool as that is, $17k is a lot of coin for a diesel KLR 650.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I like KLRs but they aren't 17k cool......even if it is diesel.

[greench440]

Just imagine how good you're going to smell after riding a diesel for 8 hours.  

[desert_rider]

If you could handle the seat time that would make a killer IBA ride with a 640 mile range.

[scarecrow]

It is a shame that the great majority of the people who paid for the bikes development, the taxpayer, probably can't afford it. It is a double shame that great majority of veterans can't afford it either.  

[swingset]

It is a shame that the great majority of the people who paid for the bikes development, the taxpayer, probably can't afford it. It is a double shame that great majority of veterans can't afford it either.  

I think a lot of people can afford a $17,000 bike, but very few are stupid enough to pay that much for a KLR, no matter what kind of fuel it runs on.

[R.Markus]

I think a lot of people can afford a $17,000 bike, but very few are stupid enough to pay that much for a KLR, no matter what kind of fuel it runs on.

 

[Slonishku]

I rode one around a little in Afghanistan- strictly on my little base and a semi-secure undeveloped desert area within a few hundred yards of it (no crazy combat stuff). It was really fun to ride, but the experience may have been enhanced by the fact that I hadn't been able to ride at all for a few months bofore or after I had it avaialble. The fact that I wasn't supposed to be riding it at all might have added a bit o' thrill, too.

$17K? No flippin' way! I'll stick to the regular gas one in my garage until that price comes way, way, way down.

[scarecrow]

I think a lot of people can afford a $17,000 bike, but very few are stupid enough to pay that much for a KLR, no matter what kind of fuel it runs on.

You win the hemorrhoid coupon. Got any other anal problems?

[desert_rider]

You win the hemorrhoid coupon. Got any other anal problems?

I dunno, seems like swingset has a valid point.    17k is A LOT of money for a thumper.  'Specially for a KLR.

[Slonishku]

You win the hemorrhoid coupon. Got any other anal problems?

What's the problem? DR makes a pretty valid point. I own a KLR and I absolutely love it. I've also ridden the diesel version. It was a blast.

I also work for my money, and there's no way that I'm putting $17K into a stock KLR that runs diesel, when I can have a beautifully appointed, fully farkled KLR with rally lights, extra fuel capacity, panniers, luggage rack, and the best possible seat, suspension, exhaust, and tires for under $6K.

Are you saying that not wanting to pay $17K for a diesel KLR is being uptight, or are you simply being hostile?

[Mac]

I rode one around a little in Afghanistan- strictly on my little base and a semi-secure undeveloped desert area within a few hundred yards of it (no crazy combat stuff).

Please, please please tell me that it was in Bagram.

[Slonishku]

Please, please please tell me that it was in Bagram.

Feck no! I'm no mega-fobbit!

I was about 15 miles outside of Khost City- out in the boondocks.

http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/cultivating-afghanistan-the-dangers-of-khost-province/

Here's a photo from my FOB:

[scarecrow]

I dunno, seems like swingset has a valid point.    17k is A LOT of money for a thumper.  'Specially for a KLR.

If you look into the re-engineering that went into the diesel bike, $17K is a bargain considering it runs on almost any heavy fuel available. The gasoline version at about $9K is also a bargain. To remake a civilian KLR into what the HDT is would cost more and probably wont look as good. Has anyone noticed that the gasoline version is rated to run on leaded, unleaded, and mogas? Mogas is just a cut above drip gas, usually less than 80 octane. That makes both bikes supremely fit for globe trotting in areas where fuel quality and type is an issue.

[swingset]

You win the hemorrhoid coupon. Got any other anal problems?

I wasn't saying anything really inflammatory. The KLR is a $4800 bike, the extra $12k? What is it really buying you? It's too much for negligible gains, that's all.

I happen to like KLR's, but their greatest appeal is how good they are for the relatively low cost. Compare that tanker to what other bikes 17large will buy, and the ONLY gain you've got is being able to fuel up at the big pumps at Flying J. That's it. It's super heavy, it's not powerful, it's not particularly good offroad, it's just a big multi-fuel slurper.

Who needs diesel capability so bad that they'll sacrifice $12,000 of gas money to get it?

[scarecrow]

I wasn't saying anything really inflammatory. ........

Stupid.

[R.Markus]

The main problem with this bike, regardless of price, is the unfortunate choice of host machine. They didnt even polish the turd, they just made it smell worse.  

[Slonishku]

Well, without diverting into the "who can come up with the most clever insult that adds nothing" territory...

$17K might be reasonable if you HAVE to have a bike that MUST be competent on poorly maintained dirt roads and run on JP-8. I certainly don't see how "bargain" comes into play.

[swingset]

Stupid.

Be a dick, I don't care. I'm sorry you're emotionally invested in your diesel bike, I'm just telling you the reality of why most riders will pass, and it's hurting your girl parts.

[Slonishku]

He's the only guy on my ignore list as of today. Less than 20 posts and already that much of a dick...

[Black Ice]

He's the only guy on my ignore list as of today. Less than 20 posts and already that much of a dick...

I was going to ignore him, but that would mean I'd have to lift a finger, and he's not worth that much effort.  

I agree.  Diesel bikes good.  Insane amount of money bad.  

[R.Markus]

I agree.  Diesel bikes good, KLR bad.  

Fixed.

[sagerat]

I absolutely love my KLR, much to RMarkus's horror.  

However, $17K for a diesel thumper?  Pass.