From a press release:

Hayes Diversified Technologies (HDTUSA) Sets Two Land Speed Records for Diesel Motorcycles at International Speed Trials

The World’s First Purpose-Built Production Diesel Motorcycles Win Big at Henry Ford’s Speed Course at Bonneville Speedway

HESPERIA, CA – Hayes Diversified Technologies (HDTUSA), the world’s first purpose-built production diesel motorcycle engine manufacturer, set two land speed records at the International Motorcycle Speed Trails, held at Bonneville, September 6-10, 2004. One motorcycle with a normally aspirated, production military spec diesel engine set a record at 85.466 miles per hour, while the second motorcycle, using an identical engine fitted with a turbocharger established an average record speed of 91.286 miles per hour.

This was the first annual International Motorcycle Speed Trials sponsored by BUB. Sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM), bikes participating were eligible for World records (FIM) or National records (AMA), the first time such an FIM-affiliated event has been held in Bonneville since the 1990s.

“We cannot be more pleased with the performance of our diesel motorcycles,” exclaims Fred Hayes, CEO/President of HDTUSA who also rode the bikes. “It’s been a long, hard road, with many detractors saying it couldn’t be done. But, with the help of a few, dedicated individuals that believed in the project, we made it happen.”

Immediately following the record setting runs on the diesel motorcycles, both bikes were torn down for AMA official’s inspection. Both passed with room to spare. Now the 30-day waiting period begins as the “unofficial” scores are reviewed and given the “official” stamp of approval.

The conditions at Bonneville Speedway, located in western Utah, were tough—the salt was wet and running slow. Average speeds were down significantly according to AMA officials. The first two days of the Speed Trials were nothing more than hurry up and wait for the sun to dry approximately a sixteenth of an inch of water that glazed the track.

HDTUSA has been focused on the off-road performance of their military motorcycles and the chance to run the new diesel fueled motorcycles at Bonneville has offered an opportunity for additional R&D.

“I believe that both of these diesel motorcycles can achieve much higher speeds,” says Hayes. “We were able to run them in conditions not normally associated with our military requirements, and have a much better idea of what is needed to go fast at Bonneville”

Bonneville’s history is quite interesting and the speedway is known for its gremlins. In fact, it’s been said by riders that “Murphy” (as in Murphy’s Law) lives in the hills on the western side of the course. For the HDTUSA team’s Bonneville experience, Murphy was on vacation this week as the bikes performed flawlessly and the only maintenance required was the removal of accumulated salt from the bike and rider. HDTUSA is currently under contract from the United States Marine Corps to supply up to 500 combat diesel motorcycles.