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 power by a Rolls-Royce-Allison Model 250 producing 320 hp (240 kW) at 52,000 rpm, and has a price tag of US$175,000. 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. Riding the motorcycle is said to be somewhat tricky due to the inherent throttle lag in the engine, acceleration when letting off the throttle, and extreme length.
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. MTT can buy these engines for a much lower price than new engines and use them on surface vehicles without requiring FAA approval. 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.....(info taken from MTT website)
Unlike piston engine powered motorcycles, such as the Suzuki Hayabusa, models of the MTT Turbine SUPERBIKE produced since 2001 do not have the 300 km/h speed limiting governors self-imposed by Japanese manufacturers.
In 2008, MTT released the "Streetfighter," another jet-bike with a more powerful 420 hp (310 kW) engine.
Also, the Boss Hoss has a very similar 350ci unit (similar to Big Yellows) on the smaller ones and a 502ci on the biggest of the production models, with a couple of specials that have a 540ci big block...NEITHER of these can pull away even as good as a small 600cc Honda, the negative torque produced on acceleration stops it from making a fast launch, stops it from acheiving rapid acceleration and prohibits fast cornering on left hand corners under load as it tries to stand up-and almost dangerous cornering on right hand corners at anything more than 20mph on standard corners, to 50 mph on a sweeping long curve as the torque tries to throw it to the ground under acceleration.....I have ridden both models of these bikes, the 350 and the 502, ( Courtesy of Bruce + Debbi Vetti, Stamford Boss Hoss of Stamford, CT. close to I-95 )...
Once you get them rolling they are fun to ride, but anyone that has ridden them will tell you that if you try and open the throttle too fast you WILL be flipped off the side through the negative torque.....so as a bike it is totally non-competitive...go look at Bruce and Debbi's website on www.bosshossct.com style="font-size: medium"> they have done some real good machines.....
Top Speed -so far- on the Jet Trike is 220mph @38% thrust, it is expected to acheive between 360-380mph @78% thrust, I will need a 5 mile run to do the 78%.....Salt Flats has stopped vehicles like mine running there, so everyone is now going to a lake bed in North Africa instead, I have no need or want to go to Africa for ANY reason...
The 350ci in Big Yellow may have come from a Buick that had less than 20,000 miles on it, it had never been opened and THATS why I wanted it for cutting, its the small block version, plenty of metal to cut away and still leave it solid, bored and stroked, even the waterways were enlarged and polished to cope with the advanced water system for cooling, all hoses etc are at normal pressure for usual road use, but its a pressurised to 30psi system when I set it up for racing...I get 2 races before having to re-pressurise the system to 30psi...
I hope all this info helps.....My toys are all proven on the road, used regularly ALL year, even in the heart of winter.....
2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster, Custom designed handlebars, footpegs, rear fender extension and hidden plate, steel hardbags,fiberglass front fairing, fiberglass front fender, Big Bore Kit, Too much too list, all done by Myself here in my shop to help promote my new company and showcase what we can do, including the new paint scheme over 80 hours in and not bad for my first attempt at this style paint job. This is the culmination of more than 5 years of work and it changes every year working on the most wicked set of hand rails and engine guard i've never seen currently, will be adding them this weekend will add the pics to my profile soon.