For sportbikes, power and handling will always be a bit of a ying-yang proposition. Big power usually equals big weight because “there is no replacement for displacement”, while the quest for better handling can result in sacrifices somewhere in the power band. The major manufacturers spend big money to balance the power/handling equation and the results can be astonishing (Honda Fireblade, Yamaha R1, BMW S1000, etc.) but every once in a while someone decides to focus on just one end of the spectrum. For the major manufacturers the results can be hit or miss; consider the Yamaha GTS and the turbo bikes of the mid 1980’s vs the Bimota Tesi 3d and the new Kawasaki H2.
While the major manufacturers can afford the occasional flight of fancy at one end of the spectrum or the other, its not surprising that smaller manufacturers with less resources often focus exclusively on one end of the spectrum. Hence today’s post, the MTT Turbine Jet Bike.
2002 MTT Turbine/Jet Powered sportbike on eBay
My initial impression of the MTT Turbine is that it is like a sportbike version of the Boss Hoss: technically a motorcycle but so purely focused at one end of the power/handling spectrum that its hard to wrap my head around. Power is a huge 420 hp but unlike previous jet powered bikes, the MTT turbine engine actually powers a gearbox. However weight is listed at a goldwing level 500 pounds, which means the chances of seeing this one gracefully rolling over the top of turn 1 at Laguna Seca raceway are pretty remote.
The MTT Turbine is perhaps best known from being owned by Jay Leno who while riding it melted the front bumper of cars behind him and also from being in the unwatchable? movie Torque.
ADDENDUM: I have been reminded that Torque has Jamie Pressley so it is not completely unwatchable.
While the eBay post has a lot of pictures of the bike, there does not seem to be any info regarding mileage or maintenance (whatever that might be?). Tires look to be in good condition but age is unknown so this one would definitely require a call or a visit to inspect. As for review of the bike, the ultra low production number means there isn’t much out there except for a wikipedia page and a few small reviews such as this one from bangshift.com.
Now for the question, is this bike worth $114,000 USD? To be honest I don’t know. While at first it seems a bit ridiculous, it does meet many of the criteria of a rare sportbike; it incorporates technology not seen before in sportbikes, it had a limited produced run (only 17 made) and condition of this particular offering seems to be quite good so it does seem to qualify. The price seems to be based off the seller trying to recoup original cost but unfortunately, bikes above the $100,000 USD level are usually of some historical significance, such as Casey Stoner’s or Valentino Rossi’s Ducati.
Overall I think the only way this bike appreciates in value is if it becomes part of a multi-generational collection and even then it will be more of a curiosity than collection defining member. But I have to admit, I would love to see one in person and hear it start up, I can just imagine the looks on the termignoni and akropovic equipped folks…
-Marty/Dallaslavowner
Jeezus, one of you guys can ride that one. I’ll watch from 100 feet away. Behind a blast wall.
You can buy one straight from the manufacturer if you want too. About the same price.
All I can say is WTF! I wonder what BigBang has to say about this, it runs on diesel. LOL
As ridiculously awesome as these things are, there seems to be one major drawback. Of the three I’m aware of, all have been down for long times waiting to replace the weakest point- the transmission. Seems they’re not completely sorted out in general, and owners have to kind of finish engineering and upgrade them in different areas. I still want one.
Surely the drags trip beckons for such a beasty?
Gearbox is bound to be an issue with 420bhp-a straight cut drag box would appear to be one way forward.
Ya gotta love people who build such things-it’s a nice change from all these Urban Yoof types with their designer stubble and Ultra Cool approach-fear and adrenaline should be involved in a bike.
Jay Leno has this bike, he “says” it can melt peoples bumpers if they follow too close.
To the writer of the article I don’t know what gold wing is 500lbs..try like 600-1000lbs for a gold wing…Saying its goldwing weight for a jet bike that has a helicopter engine of all things in it is embarrassing. Busa’s and zx14s are in the low to mid 500’s. They are at the track. You bring this thing at the track and people will be all over you cause its so cool and don’t care how fast you turn.
Big Bang no likey… Ugh.
One of the coolest bikes in the world. Anyone who has heard a jet powered car at an airshow will appreciate this two wheeled awesomeness.
Actual weight of mine, with full tank, 740 Lbs.
You Tube Videos:
Full Ride:
https://youtu.be/Kd_GhbxX9Fo
Roast Marshmellos:
https://youtu.be/h9GDPkkFLKo?t=1m1s