Widely considered the most well-known diesel motorcycle off all time, the Royal Enfield Taurus pairs a classic aesthetic with a dependable 325cc four-stroke air-cooled diesel engine. This middle-of-the-road diesel motorbike was actually among the few diesel motorcycles to be commercially produced, with a run that went from 1993 to 2001, thereby coinciding with the height of the (marginal) diesel motorcycle craze. Sold primarily in European countries, this diesel bike earned itself a respectable cult following over the years, in part thanks to a power-to-weight ratio that wasn’t overly cumbersome. Hit up enough auctions and you might find this diesel motorbike to this day.

The word “military” should be your first clue that the Hayes M1030 is a cut above the average diesel bike. Built out from a Kawasaki KLR640 and dressed in tan shades, this trusty diesel motorcycle is equipped with a 670cc liquid-cooled engine. With top speeds of 90mph, the bike is surely impressive, but that’s not why it became the go-to diesel motorcycle for the US Marine Corps. What the military liked so much about M1030 was its versatility. More to the point, the bike utilised proprietary Tamarit Circe Turns a Triumph Bonneville into Baroque Work of Art to be able to run on biodiesel, gasoline, truck diesel and five kinds of jet fuel. A mass-production model was discussed but never realised, meaning you have to go directly to the manufacturer to score one of these babies. Expect it to cost you.

From the discontinued parts of the aforementioned Royal Enfield came the Sommer Diesel 462. Hand-built in Germany and aimed squarely at the European market, this diesel motorcycle employed a 462cc single-cylinder 4-stroke engine good for a meager 11 hp and 20 ft-lbs of torque. While that horsepower number is far from substantial, the bike does tout some truly impressive mileage, cranking 117 miles out of every gallon, which equates to 300 miles for every full tank. That means you could take this diesel bike across the country and save tons of money on fuel, permitted you don’t mind a top speed of 65 mph. Truthfully, however, it’s more of a city bike for obvious reasons. Also featured is a belt drive and gearbox with four gears.

While the Hero MotoCorp RNT doesn’t offer much by way of design, the compact scooter does achieve a tier of efficiency and utility that you’re not likely to find on other diesel motorcycles. That’s because it’s actually a diesel-electric hybrid, equipped with both a 1.3 hp electric motor and a 150cc diesel motor that generates a surprisingly formidable 13.5 hp and 26 ft-lbs of torque. Throw in a turbo feature and plenty of luggage space and you get a downright functional diesel motorcycle that packs more punch than one would anticipate. Oh, and did we mention this diesel bike’s engine doubles as a generator? Now you’re coming around.

Not only does the Track T-800CDI hold up admirably over long distances, but it also looks downright sleek and modern while doing so. Bearing striking resemblance to the Yamaha Super Tenere, this top diesel motorcycle produces up to 45 hp and 78 ft-lbs of torque out of its turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, getting the bike from 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds. That’s joined by Brembo brakes, long-travel suspension, a trellis frame, and an upright, ergonomic stance. Only 50 have been sold to date, and snagging one will run you about 25K. Worth noting is that the blueprints are also for sale, just in case you want to build your own to add to your collection of diesel bikes.

Ladies and gentleman, for a mere 133K, you can grab yourself the Neander Turbo Diesel, easily one of the best diesel motorcycles ever made. In return for your investment, you gain access to a parallel twin-cylinder turbo diesel engine with two meshed counter-rotating crankshafts. That engine delivers a whopping 112 hp and equally impressive 133 ft-lbs of torque. But that’s not all. Ensuring comfort and control is a hefty quad-mount, a twin-fork body that weighs in at 650 lbs. The diesel bike also comes equipped with double telescopic fork, Brembo brakes, and a 6-speed cassette transmission. This diesel-powered motorcycle doesn’t get the greatest fuel mileage, but other than that it’s a high-performance beast of a machine.

Like a yellow jacket on wheels, the Star Twin Thunder Star 1200 TDI flaunts a yellow/black colourway and some serious speed. From its 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, expect a mammoth 180 hp and 250 ft-lbs of torque. Giving the top diesel motorcycle all the more appeal is top-shelf suspension, carbon wheels, performance brakes, and some terrific fuel economy of 95 mpg. The prototype for this stunning diesel bike debuted in 2005, and unfortunately, the bike never reached full production status. Nevertheless, it remains one of the best diesel motorcycles ever conceived.