Marine Turbine Technologies Y2K
With its fairing fitted the Y2K looked long and slightly unusual but gave few clues about the unique nature of its powerplant. Front suspension was by upside- down forks, which held a 17-inch carbon-fibre Dymag wheel. The turbine’s lack of engine braking meant extra work for the six-piston front brake calipers.
With a power output of 286bhp and a top speed of well over 200mph (322km/h), the bike that was named Y2K and produced by Louisiana firm Marine Turbine Technologies was almost certainly the most powerful and fastest motorcycle ever to go into series production. Given that Y2K was powered by a gas turbine engine previously used in a helicopter, its performance was hardly surprising.
Jet engines had been used to power drag-racing bikes and a few one-off creations before, but this was the first time that such a machine was produced for roadgoing use. Despite Y2K’s price of US $150,000, there was enough demand for Marine Turbine to build and sell a small series of machines over the next few years.
With a Rolls-Royce badge on its nose - the turbine was Rolls’ Allison 250 as used in the Bell JetRanger - and emitting a high-pitched whine of a kind normally heard on an airport runway, Y2K seemed the most improbable of bikes. But in one way, it made perfect sense. Marine Turbine Technologies (MTT) specialized in taking ‘timed- out’ jet aero engines - units that had reached the strict limits on running hours, imposed for safety reasons - and using them in new applications, from boats to fire pumps plus the occasional four- wheeled vehicle.
When MTT president Ted McIntyre decided to add a motorcycle to his firm’s range, he appointed Christian Travert, a former bike racer and custom builder, to head the project. Jet engines run best at a constant speed, and in helicopter use the turbine's compressor spun at over 50,000rpm. For motorcycle use, Travert added a gearbox and clutch to take drive through 90 degrees to a sprocket, and from there by chain to the rear wheel.
The motor ran on diesel. ‘It can use anything from normal pump gas to tequila or even Chanel perfume,’ said Travert. ‘But diesel burns most efficiently, so that's what makes most power.’ Travert also designed and built the chassis, which was similar in layout to that of a normal superbike - but much larger and stronger. A twin-beam aluminium frame held conventional Ohlins front forks and rear shock.
If that sounded almost normal, riding the Y2K was anything but. The bike had a small TV screen in the cockpit (connected to a rear-facing camera) instead of mirrors. When the starter button was pressed the turbine picked up speed, its whine rising to a shriek, until the rev-counter showed 20,0()()rpm, from which point ignition occurred spontaneously and the bike was ready to go.
Low-speed acceleration was unexceptional due to the tall gearing dictated by a two-speed gearbox with automatic transmission. Then the bike came alive, accelerating from 50mph (80km/h) with thrilling force and a smoothness that was almost eerie. Given the engine’s power and the way that Y2K scorched from a standstill to an independently recorded 227mph (365km/h) in just 15 seconds, MTT’s claims of 25()mph (402km/h) performance were entirely believable.
The turbine-powered machine was too long to handle like a sports bike, and required plenty of effort from its rider on a twisty road. But it was impressively stable both in a straight line and through fast curves. Its disc brakes were powerful, too. and were needed often because shutting the throttle did not make the turbine slow in the normal way.
Despite Y2K's high price, MTT found a steady demand for what had to be the world’s most outrageous production superbike. One bonus was that the gas turbine-powered machine came with an engine warranty for the life of the original owner. As Ted McIntyre put it, 'Anyone who blows up one of these and lives deserves a new engine.’
Having begun life in a helicopter, the gas turbine engine found itself suspended from a hugely strong bike frame made from thick aluminium spars.
Widely spaced twin headlights gave a distinctive look from the front, and the discreet Rolls-Royce badge added a touch of class.
The long, streamlined Y2K gave its rider plenty of room to tuck down for maximum wind protection, which was very useful when the turbine- powered bike was making full use of its fearsome performance.
Specification Marine Turbine Technologies Y2K (2000)
- Engine Rolls-Royce Allison 250 gas turbine
- Capacity N/a
- Maximum power 286bhp @ 52,000rpm (compressor rpm)
- Transmission Two-speed automatic, chain final drive
- Frame Aluminium twin spar
- Suspension Telescopic front; single shock rear
- Brakes Twin discs front; disc rear
- Weight 4181b (190kg)
- Top speed 250mph (402km/h) estimated
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