Wednesday, May 22, 2013
MTT Turbine Superbike
The MTT Turbine Superbike, also known as the Y2K Turbine Superbike, is a wheel-driven motorcycle powered by a turboshaft engine, created by Ted McIntyre of Marine Turbine Technologies. The bike is powered by a Rolls-Royce-Allison Model 250 producing 320 hp (240 kW) at 52,000 rpm. Unlike some earlier jet-powered motorcycles, where a massive jet engine provided thrust to push the motorcycle, the turboshaft engine on this model drives the rear wheel via a two-speed gearbox.
With a top speed of over 200 mph, it is faster than the Suzuki Hayabusa, the MV Agusta F4 and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 too.
The engines used in the motorcycles are second-hand, having reached the FAA-mandated running time limit, after which they have to be rebuilt, regardless of condition. To get around the problem of procuring the kerosene usually used in turbine engines, the engine of the bike is also able to use diesel, or jet fuel.
In 2008, MTT released the "Streetfighter," another jet-bike with a more powerful 420 hp (310 kW) engine.
