Why have diesel engines never really been used for motorcycles?
In: Engineering
Diesel engines are heavier and more complex from petrol ones, but provide much more torque while also being more economic – meaning they are good for heavy loads.
Since motorcycles are not that heavy and have limited space/load, plus petrol engine revs much faster, they are obvious choice.
1. They are extra heavy
2. Motorcycles are already very fuel efficient
3. They operate at much lower RPMs. You’d constantly be changing gears
Diesel engines are better suited to high torque operations and hauling. They are larger, operate at slower RPMs, and work better with Turbo chargers.
They are ideal for applications like large trucks that need to haul large amounts of weight.
Where-as they are too large and cumbersome to be practical on smaller lightweight motorcycles.
Motorcycles being lighter and more nimble benefit from having engines that are lighter and rev higher like 4-stroke gas engines, or even 2-stroke engines.
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