MTT Turbine SUPERBIKE
Encyclopedia
The MTT Turbine Superbike (often styled SUPERBIKE, also known as the Y2K Turbine SUPERBIKE, is the world's second wheel-driven motorcycle
powered by a turbine
engine, created by Ted McIntyre of Marine Turbine Technologies Inc.
Reports of the MTT Turbine SUPERBIKE appeared as early as 1999 in a May issue of Cafe Racer
magazine, but the production model was introduced in 2000.
Powered by a Rolls-Royce-Allison Model 250 turboshaft
engine, producing 238 kW (320 hp), the motorcycle has a recorded top speed of 227 mph (370 km/h), with a price tag of US$175,000.00 It is recognized by Guinness World Records
as the "Most powerful production motorcycle" and the "Most expensive production motorcycle." 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
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 fuel, or even Jet A fuel.
In addition to the engine, there are other innovations incorporated into this bike, such as radar detector
with laser scrambler, rear-mounted camera with LCD display, and an optional passenger seat.
Unlike other piston engine powered contemporary motorcycles (such as the Hayabusa
), the 2001 and later models of the MTT Turbine SUPERBIKE 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 engine.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
powered by a turbine
Turbine
A turbine is a rotary engine that extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful work.The simplest turbines have one moving part, a rotor assembly, which is a shaft or drum with blades attached. Moving fluid acts on the blades, or the blades react to the flow, so that they move and...
engine, created by Ted McIntyre of Marine Turbine Technologies Inc.
Reports of the MTT Turbine SUPERBIKE appeared as early as 1999 in a May issue of Cafe Racer
Café racer
A café racer is a type of motorcycle as well as a type of motorcyclist. Both meanings have their roots in the 1960s British counterculture group the Rockers, or the Ton-up boys, although they were also common in Italy, Germany, and other European countries...
magazine, but the production model was introduced in 2000.
Powered by a Rolls-Royce-Allison Model 250 turboshaft
Turboshaft
A turboshaft engine is a form of gas turbine which is optimized to produce free turbine shaft power, rather than jet thrust...
engine, producing 238 kW (320 hp), the motorcycle has a recorded top speed of 227 mph (370 km/h), with a price tag of US$175,000.00 It is recognized by Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
as the "Most powerful production motorcycle" and the "Most expensive production motorcycle." 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
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
running time limit
Time between overhaul
One important measure of an aircraft engine's overall economics is how often it has to be overhauled, the so-called time between overhaul, typically seen as TBO or TBOH....
, 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
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
usually used in turbine engines, the engine of the bike is also able to use Diesel fuel, or even Jet A fuel.
In addition to the engine, there are other innovations incorporated into this bike, such as radar detector
Radar detector
A radar detector is an electronic device used by motorists to detect if their speed is being monitored by police or law enforcement using a radar gun. Most radar detectors are used so the driver can reduce the car's speed before being ticketed for speeding...
with laser scrambler, rear-mounted camera with LCD display, and an optional passenger seat.
Unlike other piston engine powered contemporary motorcycles (such as the Hayabusa
Suzuki GSX1300R
The Suzuki Hayabusa is a sport bike motorcycle made by Suzuki since 1999. It immediately won acclaim as the world's fastest production motorcycle, with a top speed of ....
), the 2001 and later models of the MTT Turbine SUPERBIKE 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 engine.