…but no longer in production due to emissions regs?
This is one of two causes.
The emissions thing is an incredible scandal, I think. Our motorcycles consume about 2 liters per 100 km, which is about 118 mpg (!). Production was about 50 to 60 vehicles per year. So why should anyone care about the emissions of such a low-emission vehicle? After all, it is Euro 4 compliant!
But the EU, mercilessly bureaucratic, stopped this excellent product, which is built to last for 40 years or more and has such ridiculously low fuel consumption that it is not worth a second's thought about emissions. With production numbers of perhaps only one per week. One!
The second point is just as crappy. Again, the EU has issued a regulation requiring ABS on all motorcycles 250cc and larger. Our diesels are 462cc and 516cc respectively. So they have to have ABS as well.
What they didn't factor in is that they only have about 12 hp, so they're never faster than 100 Kmh - give or take a bit due to upwind or downwind.
So they are no faster (rather slower) than many 125cc scooters and motorcycles. The problem is, as Jogi told us, the basic ABS configuration and setup by (e.g.) Bosch for his motorcycles costs around €100,000. This does not include a single ABS installed, but just the basic work.
An impossible amount for a one-man band (and one employee). Now he has returned to his roots and is converting older motorcycles to Diesel engines. That's allowed if the chassis was built before 2009 or so. But it's not really a replacement, as Jogi had designed and built his own frame, which is way better than the old Royal Enfield frames. With disc brakes, better geometry, more robust, powder coated and so on. It's a tragedy.
And the original product has only a few electrical wires for the lights and starter, but zero (zero!) electronics. It's exceptionally reliable, always. But an ABS would change everything. Tragedy.
I'm so glad I bought a new one in 2015.
There are used ones in good condition on the market, but the price is often higher than new.
Believe me, I have hated the EU since they killed our D-Mark, but now I am mentally a terrorist against them. They are destroying more and more our economy, our jobs and many other things. And I'm afraid there is not much that can save us from them.
PS: Nice Duke, I like it. Sadly, for my short legs, modern Enduros are uncomfortably high for me.
PPS: I will post a picture of my Diesel later.
