World’s first turbine-powered street-legal motorcycle, MTT Y2K Superbike was made by MTT, Marine Turbine technologies in 2000. Almost 20 years later it still remains as one of the fastest bikes in the world!
As the name suggests, the MTT Y2K superbike first came to life in 2000. Following the Y2K, MTT produced different models of the turbine-powered motorcycles as of 2020. The MTT Y2K is the world’s first turbine-powered street-legal motorcycle and one of the fastest motorcycles in the world. Did you know, when it was first launched in 2000, it took the record for the world’s most expensive and powerful motorcycle!
MTT Y2K: The Development Story
According to MTT, the Y2K Superbike was first built because they were told it couldn’t be done. MTT president, Ted Mclntyre appointed former motorcycle racer and custom bike builder to lead a turbine-powered motorcycle project.
MTT Y2K motorcycle
You might have come across some turbojet-powered motorcycles, however, MTT’s turbine-powered motorcycle is very different. Motorcycles with turbojet engines use thrust from the engine to push the motorcycle forward. In the case of MTT’s Y2K and other later models, a turboshaft engine coupled with a two-speed gearbox drives the rear wheel through a chain drive. As for the fuel supply, MTT’s motorcycles do not require jet fuel to operate because turbine engines can easily run on a wide variety of fuel. MTT actually powered the Y2K with kerosene, diesel and bio-fuel.
The Y2K was powered by Rolls Royce Allison Model 250 C18 gas turbine engine. These turbine engines are similar to the ones you can find in helicopters! Although the Y2K featured turbine engine it weighed only 208.7 kgs!
The result of this gave the Y2K a horsepower rating of over 320 HP and 425 ft/lbs of torque and also a record-breaking 227 MPH/365.3 km/h top speed! Also 0-100km/h time of just 1.5 seconds!
Did you know, the MTT Y2K was sold for approximately USD 185,000 in 2004!!
The Future: MTT’s turbine-powered motorcycles after the Y2K!
There have been numerous models of MTT’s Turbine bikes. In 2006, MTT released the “Street Fighter” at the Las Vegas SEMA show.
With the Street Fighter, MTT started using the more powerful 420 hp (310 kW) turbine from the Allison 250-C20B engine. Just like the Y2K, the street fighter (Madmaxturbine streetfighter) also broke three records a few years back!
- World’s fastestTurbine Motorcycle – 1 mile (one way): 233.7 mph (376.1 km/h)
- World’s fastest Streetfighter – 1 mile (one way): 231.6 mph (372.7 km/h)
- World’s fastest flying quarter mile for Turbine Motorcycle: 3.91 sec
Later in 2015, MTT again released two new models. The first is a Trike (420RR Trike) with the 420 HP turbine engine, featuring the latest technology and enhanced safety features. The second model was a two-wheeled version of the trike called the 420-RR (Race Ready). The 420RR is the most extreme turbine bike produced by MTT based on technical advances, aerodynamics and Race Ready enhancements.
The Modern Y2K: 420RR
The 420RR is powered by a Rolls Royce Allison 250 – C20 Gas Turbine producing 420 HP @ 52,000 rpm and 678 Nm of torque at just 2,000 rpm. The engine mated to a 2-speed automatic gearbox properls the bike to a top speed of 250mph/ 402km/h+
Although the 420RR looks very similar to the Y2K, the 420RR and the trike come with a splash of technology and latest technology. The 420RR features carbon fibre fairings and sleeker bodywork. Thanks to the tubular aluminum frame (containing the bike’s transmission fluids and reserve tank) the bike weighs only 227kg given its size. On top of this, a rear-mounted camera with LCD colour display and SmartStart computerized ignition are standard on the 420RR. If that’s not enough, MTT constantly makes product improvements and adds in the best tech to the lineup with each new bike built.
The Trike and 420RR are still in production until today. These motorcycles are not mass-produced, each bike is unique and it is hand-built to fit customer’s specification. The turbine bikes are all built inhouse in by MTT Manufacturing, LLC and are sold by Motorsport Turbine Technologies, LLC. The 420RR and 420RR Trike come with a price tag of approximately 300,000 USD!
Aside from Y2K being instrumental to the current MTT turbine motorcycles. The Y2K pushed the boundaries of motorcycle technology to a whole new level which would always stand out no matter how old it gets.
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