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The Internet is filled with photos and stories of motorcycles that were bolted with a car engine. To be blunt, of all the builds, most have been really bad ideas. But even so, it isn't an idea that was given a try and then abandoned. There are more and more of these – a bike powered by a giant V10 sourced from a Dodge Viper, or a boxer engine from a Subaru and this time, we even found a motorcycle with a diesel engine. While there are many of these examples, here are our top six picks.
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Dodge Tomahawk: No, motorcycles with car engines can not be spoken of without the mention of the Tomahawk. It grew ever so popular for its massive 8.3-litre V10 engine, its four wheels along with leaning capability and a promise of 500 bhp. Dodge did offer about 10 of these for sale but the original concept was the only one that was ever built. This may have something to do with the price tag that stood at $5,55,000 (approximately Rs 4.2 crore). And on top of that, we reckon if you were looking for performance and had that kind of money, you could buy a Kawasaki H2R or a BMW HP4 Race or even a Ducati Superleggera V4 at a fraction of the Tomahawk's price.
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Brough Superior Austin Four: It isn't a new fad plonking car engines onto motorcycle frames. Brough Superior built this one between 1932-34 utilising a 1930s Austin 747cc four-cylinder engine. In fact, after some tweaking, Brough managed an extra 50cc. They decided it would be fit for running a side car so they rigged up not one but two rear wheels, using a modified Austin rear axle. The Auston Four, however, never caught on. Back then, it was super affordable but if you owned on today, it could make you rich. The last one was auctioned for about $3,85,000 in 2013. (Image: Autowise)
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Alfabike: Perhaps called the Alfabike for two reasons – one, it could be the alpha in its group of bikes and two, it is powered by an Alfa. The extreme custom job takes inspiration from Boss Hoss machines, but unlike them, this is powered by an Alfa Romeo V6 engine paired with a Harley-Davidson transmission. So, it makes 156 hp from the 2.5-litre engine and that makes it sound a bit unnecessary. Motorcycles with smaller engines will make that kind of power without having parts hanging out of the frame. (Image: Autowise)
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Madboxer: It must've been fairly easy naming this bike. It is powered by a Subaru boxer and it is a mad idea to put that engine on a bike. It is a turbocharged EJ25 out of a second generation WRX, to be precise, paired with a modified Japanese two-speed automatic transmission. The Madboxer is strangely a very cool-looking machine, especially with the center steer hub and swing arms. (Source: Bikeexif)
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Aurora V8 Hellfire OZ26: The Hellfire produces 417 bhp from its enormous 2575cc V8 engine. Now, you see what's wrong with big engines, less power but more fuss? For some perspective, the most powerful production motorcycle today is the Kawasaki H2 which makes around 210 bhp from its supercharged 1000cc engine. But then again, it has a strange charm to it and it's called Hellfire. Who would not want their bike to be called Hellfire! (Source: Car Throttle)
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Track T800-CDi: Now this 'bike with car engine' is truly worth a mention. While there are many examples of car-engined bikes, the Track T800 looks more proper and well finished because the builder chose am appropriately-sized engine from Mercedes-backed Smart Car. Moreover, this was a diesel motorcycle. The turbocharged engine was paired with a variable transmission and BMW shaft drive. It was lighter than a BMW 1200 GS but then it was said to be unrefined and difficult to ride. But it surely is one brilliant example of a diesel-powered bike.
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