Peek-a-boo…

Here’s another one I wanted to sneak into the blog before heading out the door…it’s a photo that’s making the rounds on Facebook….

Can you spot the KLR 650 in this photo?

I don’t know if those are our boys (the vehicle doesn’t look familiar to me), but I know our Marines use a specially-modified version of the Kawasaki KLR as a recon vehicle.   There’s an outfit in Hesperia that makes the conversions (that’s not too far from us), and in the process they install a diesel 650 engine instead of the KLR’s gasoline engine.  Our military doesn’t like to use gasoline for anything.   From a logistical perspective it’s easier to run everything on diesel…even motorcycles.    And, gasoline catches fire too easily.   Our military likes using diesel fuel because it is tough to light off.   I used to work in the bomb business, and designing a munition that can start a fire when it hits diesel fuel requires adding zirconium to the explosive.    Interesting stuff.

Speaking of which, here’s a YouTube video on the Marine KLR…

From what I’ve read about that USMC diesel KLR, I understand it can climb walls even at idle (diesel engines have tons of torque).   We won’t be adding a diesel to the CSC line any time soon (as in probably never), but it’s cool stuff to think about.