Brilliant, right?
It took Tony Pandolfo nearly seven years to figure out how to integrate a jet engine in almost any motorcycle’s chassis. And now – finally – you can order yours – and it would be finished in mere 6 months! Mental! For his first project Tony choose the Suzuki GSX-R1100, fully built it, and manage to sell it last year. The very same bike was featured in six different motorcycle magazines around the world and created quite a stir (like that a surprise). For his second project the bike was obvious – the stock-ish looking 1st gen Suzuki Hayabusa. Read more about this genius-lunacy after the jump!
With some 300lbs.ft of torque coming from the military jet fighter engine, Tony said he went mild with the power. The dry weight is only 400lbs, while the tank holds 5 gallons of kerosine fuel – good for 25 miles – you do the math. Price? A cool US$60,000.
It was in 2002 when Tony Pandolfo and Gene Lewis, both boat racers from Orlando, Florida, decided they would put a jet engine into a sport motorcycle.
The project took longer than the men had hoped – seven years, in fact – but in 2009, they put the finishing touches on the world’s first and only jet-turbine-powered Suzuki GSX-R1100. After their fire-spitting bike was unveiled at Orlando’s Stunt Wars in January, it was featured in the pages of Motorcyclist, 2 Wheel Tuner, Streetfighter, Super Streetbike, Bomber (Finland), and Street Monsters (France).
Now, Pandolfo and his associates have completed their second project: a first-generation Suzuki Hayabusa outfitted with a jet fuel starter from a military fighter jet. As mean as this bike is, it has an uncanny habit of attracting people. Once you hear the sound of the ignition – it’s like something out of a science-fiction movie – you’ll understand why. As an added crowd-pleaser, the jet Hayabusa comes equipped with an afterburner that produces a wall of flame nearly as large as the bike itself.
Because of the additional torque from the jet engine, the braking and power systems have been “beefed up” considerably.
Here are some of the specific ways this one-of-a-kind bike differs from a factory Hayabusa:
– Engine: AlliedSignal jet fuel starter (also known as an auxiliary power unit or APU), used in early-model F-14s and A-10s
– Torque: 300 ft/lbs
– Weight: 400 lbs, dry
– Fuel Type: K2 Kerosene or Jet A
– Fuel Capacity: 5 gallons
– Fuel Consumption: 5 miles/gallon
– Double the braking power (two rear calipers)
– Custom control system
– Automatic transmission; no clutch
– LED headlights and taillightsThis bike is on sale for $60,000 USD.
For buyers in the United Arab Emirates: JC Motors estimates that shipping by sea from Los Angeles to Dubai will cost between $2,800 and $3,200. The entire shipping process, from first order to arrival, should take roughly two months. The emirate of Dubai imposes a 5% import tax, which translates into a surcharge of $3,000 on the bike.
***AN IMPORTANT FINAL NOTE: If the Hayabusa isn’t quite your style, but jet power is, know that Pandolfo can put a jet turbine in virtually any motorcycle chassis. Be it Harley Davidson, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, Aprilia. . .you name it…he welcomes the opportunity! Email jetpowercycles@gmail.com or call +1 407 505 5538 (+1 407 5055 JET) for more details.
Source: DubaiPetrolHeads.com and Dubai Craig’s List
Tags: 60 000$, custom, Dubai Craig's List, Hayabusa, helicopter, jet engine, turbine
Can you put a jet engine on my vespa? that would be great… lol.. Great job, this bike is sick… =)