Post Sale Update: This diesel KLR sold for $5,736 after 19 bids on eBay.
KLR fans, take a close look at that motor. If it looks different than what you’re used to, it’s because this is a diesel-powered Kawasaki built by Hayes Diversified Technologies for the US Marine Corps. Hayes actually built 3 military Kawis – a gas-powered bike based on the KLR250 (M1030), another gas-powered bike but based on the KLR650 (M1030B1), and the diesel-powered M1030M1. The diesel converted bikes were created as the military uses JP-8 diesel for nearly everything, and while it was the most common of the trio in military service it is the hardest to civilians to find.
Read more about the conversion here on the New York Times – apparently at 55 mph the diesel bike could achieve 96 miles per gallon! The military bike received other upgrades over the civilian bike, like a AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery that won’t spill upon tipover, Progressive suspension, Acerbis 6 gallon fuel tank, wider foot pegs, skid plate, and plenty more.
This example (VIN: JKAKLEA163DAO4925) has just 455 miles and it’s one of the rare examples I’ve found that is still equipped with the diesel drivetrain. It does not have a title, just a bill of sale. The seller acquired it from a local police department (what PD has things like this?!) Find this KLR for sale in Cabot, Arkansas with bidding up to $5,000