Necessity is, without doubt, the mother of Invention. From the year
dot mankind has encountered all manner of problems and has proved
himself most ingenious at finding solutions. Nowadays, while the Private
sector works tirelessly on for itself and the Commercial sector forever
looks out for new ways to make a profit, it’s the job of those
at the top of the tree to find solutions to things that threaten us
all.
Survival is the ultimate necessity and this is why the worlds
defence industries are at the cutting edge of development. Where they
tread, we follow and the strategies laid down by the planners for
the armed forces will almost always ultimately be taken up and used
by the masses. One thinks of the Autobahns and Interstate highways
laid down to allow to easy movement of troops and Armour.
The
strategy that concerns us though is that of what fuel NATO forces
will use in more desperate times. Strategists have indicated that
all military vehicles should be able to run on Diesel in peace time
and Aviation fuel, Kerosene, in war time. Such a policy meant that
while most multi wheeled and tracked vehicles already in use would
fair well, the motorcycle, sadly, would not.
With the implementation of this policy looming, HDT and RMCS
set about creating a motorcycle that would fit the criteria. Ultimately
they succeeded in supplying the U.S. Marine corps with 522 machines
in 2004 and it has recently been announced that this machine will
soon be launched onto the commercial market, albeit, initially, in
limited numbers. With considerable development behind it, prototypes
and now several years of military service, the Diesel KLR will be
the first purpose built motorcycle to be made available to the civilian
market.
The first machines on offer will be made to military spec and
will therefore be expensive. No doubt most will baulk at the price
and these few won’t be for the masses but in time, the price
will drop and they will find their true place in the marketplace.
But where will that be?
If
the U.K. Army goes ahead and purchases this machine (they are currently
trialling it) it’s a sure bet that it won’t be long before
other government agencies such as the Police take an interest. In
time we can expect to see them being taken up by various Constabularies,
most probably situated in the more rural parts of the country. Such
machines would be ideal for policing the more inaccessible byways
frequently used by those who steal, race and then dump and burn cars.
Seeing that such agencies are a good deal more accountable to
the tax payer than their camouflaged brethren, we may well see examples
of them buying such machines purely to show how they are trying to
keep costs down. The fuel efficiency figures of this machine make
those of all others pale into insignificance.
The fact that these motorcycles can also be run on bio-diesel may
mean they start to flaunt their ’green’ credentials as
well.
Farmers too, with their use of subsidised agricultural red diesel,
have shown an interest in the KLR. Whether it be for shepherding far
flung flocks or just herding the cows in for milking, a rugged and
capable machine could be just the ticket where a machine is expected
to be able to cope with the worst that mother nature can throw at
it. Such purchasers should bear in mind the fact that this bike may
not be the kind of machine that can be just neglected for long periods
of time and then expected to start on account that it has no kick
starter.
In
the commercial sector, companies, or indeed the self employed, can
be expected to run the rule over such a machine to see its suitability
for jobs such as courier work. This, along with convoy work, was what
the machine was originally designed to do, albeit over much rougher
terrain. Those who opt to buy the KLR and employ it in this role will
find it more suited to the vagaries of city life than that of the
long distance haul. While the machine would be capable of such journeys
those wishing to save in this area will be better served with a larger,
multi-cylinder machine. But who knows when one of them will be brought
to market?
From there it will most probably also become a firm favourite
with those hardy all weather bikers who insist on commuting everywhere
on two wheels. Most such riders do not do long commutes and the KLR
will almost certainly prove itself to be a valuable asset, it being
reliable and extremely fuel efficient. One thing that should not be
overlooked is the fact that the petrol version of this machine has
been pounding Britains roads for many years now and as such there
are many add on’s available. Firms, especially Stateside, specialise
in all manner of panniers, racks and accessories.
Because
of the nature of the power delivery, one group that will probably
be less enthusiastic will be the off road racers and Moto-crossers.
In a sport where raw, back breaking power is, for the most part, delivered
by large capacity two strokes, riders are not likely to be overly
enamoured with a machine that feels, initially anyway, like a 125cc.
At best, and in time though, we can expect to see a new class formed
in much the same way as one was created for the larger size four stroke
singles. This is only likely to happen as used machines become more
affordable and are taken up by riders who will most probably be a
little wary of such an unusual machine.
But
we predict that the Enduro riders will see things altogether more
differently. Theirs is a style of racing that demands toughness from
a bike as well as pulling power. Reports from the Military suggest
the KLR, equipped as it is with a specially developed rear suspension
unit, is quite capable of outpacing petrol powered machines over long
distances off road. News like this will surely temp Enduro Riders
to part with the green stuff when the machines become available for
a lower price.
Closely associated with this group, of course, are those that see
themselves as adventurers. Since the popularity of the McGregor/Boorman
Long Way Round film this sector has come to the fore so much as to
almost make the Adventure Motorcycle the bike to have. Companies
such as BMW have benefitted greatly because of the exposure they have
had and the pro's and con's of their bikes have been put under the
microscope as a result. Concious of the weight BMW have shaved 30kg
from the latest GS bringing it nearer to 199kg. But it's still not
quite as light as the KLR which weighs in at 167kg. BMW have never
been to enthusiastic about diesel powered motorcycles but the 670cc
oil burning KLR may just change the face of adventure motorcycling
as we know it.
Apart from the obvious categories there is sure to be a fair
number of people who will successfully convince themselves that they
need this particular machine, however suitable or unsuitable it may
be for their exact needs, simply because of it’s uniqueness
and phenomenal mpg figures. Whether its for the limited edition or
expected later models, some people just have to have the latest motorcycles.
As a consequence, all models introduced will probably see a higher
take up than one would normally expect from such a first run bike.
All
this is conjecture of course, and based on whether the KLR will actually
ever makes it to the Sales fore-courts in any numbers. It remains
to be seen how HDT will handle its massed production (should it go
ahead) or whether its manufacture is licensed out to a larger concern.
Some have speculated that Kawasaki may possibly be approached if only
because the Diesel engined bike is constructed around one of their
existing models.
Obviously, as far as the general populace goes, take up will
depend largely upon what model types will initially be available.
It would be quite possible for the manufacturer, (whoever it be) to
dress the existing model to appeal across a narrow range. In time
we can most probably expect to see variations aimed specifically at
the Commuter, Trail Rider and hardcore Enduro Racer. But actually
devising a marketing campaign could prove an interesting exercise
in itself given the attributes of the bike.
When targeting the Enduro Racer we can expect to see the marketing
people exploiting the machines Military heritage. This sector will
be primarily interested in the bikes abilities as demonstrated by
the soldiers who have ridden it before. Emphasis will be put on the
machines durability and ruggedness while every aspect of the new 670cc
Diesel engine will be laid out for prospective buyers to study. Being
that bikers are generally unfamiliar with the kind of torque delivery
that this machine will give, salesmen may have to resort to letting
interested party’s loose on the bike for a little longer than
might normally be the case with a petrol powered motorcycle.
Again,
when it comes to selling the motorcycle to the larger Trail Bike market
we can expect to see the Military angle exploited with sales posters
and images of the machine ‘in action’ with the Army. This
bike is sure to have a big appeal to this particular demographic and
any opportunity to associate the buyer with the Military should not
be overlooked.
If
it’s felt that the Commuter market needs another variation of
the KLR, then perhaps this model should have its Military links played
down somewhat. In doing so it will be possible to bring to the fore
the ‘Green’ credentials and outstanding fuel economy that
the bike has to offer. In highlighting the KLR’s unique ability
to run on a variety of fuels, it should be possible to convince even
the most sceptical of people that this is the bike for them. Having
fuel flexible transport in a world which is slowly running out of
oil is surely the only sensible way to go.
After
studying the Diesel KLR I’ve no doubt that many people will
be left pondering the irony that a motorcycle originally designed
for the military may end up being so beloved of those at the opposite
end of the political spectrum. Any one company that has a product
such as this, a product that appeals to those on either extreme, surely
has a product that will easily conquer the middle ground and therefore
mass market.
And given that this motorcycle was born way before American President
George Bush made his recent announcement on future fuel policy in
the U.S. we should take our hats off to the Military planners and
strategists. It would seem they have again excelled in predicting
the future needs of us all and produced a machine that is ahead of
its time.
Visit Motorbikes Today for more on the Diesel
KLR
Back
to the General Articles Index
Back
to the Articles Index
Home
SJS
© Copyright DieselBike.net.
All Rights Reserved
