5 Most Amazing Motorcycles Powered By Car Engines

Engineering isn’t about fun and doing crazy things. There is much hard work and dedication behind every successful or unsuccessful experiment and innovation. It requires you to utilize all your senses and intelligence to develop something extraordinary.

However, engineering hasn’t always been rational. There have been times in the history of the automobile industry when engineers tried something new. Engineers have always been interested in using the engines of heavyweight automobiles in lightweight vehicles for power gains.

It wasn’t long before when motorcycle engineers tried fitting cars’ engines to power motorcycles. To a certain extent, they failed to create a balance, which caused the car engine-powered motorcycles to become less common.

Even though these motorbikes were unsuitable for road use, they created a lot of hype. Continue reading this article to learn about the five coolest motorcycles powered by car engines.

Boss Hoss is one of the most notable motorcycles powered by a car engine. It is still relevant today, as people still buy these motorcycles. Boss Hoss is a private motorcycle manufacturer based in the U.S. The company started in 1990 and is known for its gigantic design and monstrous power.

These humongous and extraordinary-powerful motorcycles are powered by Chevrolet V8 engines. The engine displacement size of Boss Hoss motorcycles ranges from 6,000 to 8,200 cc (376-496 cu in). To make these motorcycles work smoothly, they were equipped with semi-automatic transmissions .

An American motorcycle brand, Boss Hoss is known for its traditional-style cruisers. It may not be a huge success like Harley-Davidson or any other brand, but the company has shown growth. In 1995, the company was reported to sell almost 300 motorcycles annually. In 2006, Boss Hoss was reported to have sold a total of 4,000 units .

The current Boss Hoss lineup features three different variants of Chevrolet V8 engines . These include:

• LS1: Generates a massive horsepower of 445 hp and a torque of 603.34 Nm (445 lb-ft).
• 383 Stroker: Delivers an enormous 430 hp of horsepower and 610.12 Nm (450 lb-ft) of torque.
• 454 Small-Block Engine : Produces an unbelievable 563 hp of horsepower and 738.92 Nm ( 545 lb-ft ) of torque.

The Boss Hoss motorcycles look like they have spent years in the gym. The engine size and gas tank look extremely muscular, and the wide buckhorn handlebars give these bikes a legendary look.

Due to its heaviness, it also has a reverse gear. These motorcycles have a two-speed semi-auto transmission. The fuel tank can hold 8.5 gals of gas. The front forks are adjustable, and the braking equipment is strong and reliable, ensuring adequate stopping power.

The list of the most amazing motorcycles powered by car engines can never be completed without mentioning the “Dodge Tomahawk.” It was first introduced in 2003 as a concept motorbike . Later, as this bike received extraordinary hype due to its unconventional design, the company started limited production. The company did not produce a single unit after 2006. A total of 10 units have been produced, and 9 of them are believed to have been sold by the company.

The most unusual thing about the Dodge Tomahawk was its four wheels. A pair of two toward the front and two rear wheels. Though the wheels were installed closer to each other, they were sprung separately from each other, which was why it wasn’t considered a genuine motorcycle. Regardless of its unusual design and geometry, the Dodge Tomahawk can easily be steered and lean into corners.

Talking about the specs and power figures, the Dodge Tomahawk is fitted with a 506.5 cu in (8.3 L) 90° Viper V-10 engine . This massive powerplant is capable of producing an enormous horsepower of 500 hp at 5,600 rpm and an incredible torque of 712 Nm. The Dodge Tomahawk also came with a two-speed manual transmission and a horizontal double fork .

According to experts and industry observers, the Dodge Tomahawk wasn’t a practical bike because it was not street-legal. It was a concept bike to receive the spotlight. The Tomahawk was built to show the competitors that DaimlerChrysler AG, the parent company of Dodge, could do wonders and was not afraid to take risks.

There were several speculations about the top speed of the Dodge Tomahawk. The company’s spokesperson initially released a top speed figure of 300 mph . Some said that it could reach a top speed of up to 420 mph . However, according to the officials, this bike was never ridden above 100 mph in the testing.

Analysts say the top speed figure of 420 mph wasn’t based on experiments. It was calculated according to the engine size, power figures, and final drive ratio. However, such top figures were not possible considering stability, air drag, and other resistances.

Allen Millyard , a British custom motorcycle builder and mechanical engineer, decided to build a practical and street-legal bike with a Dodge Viper V 10 engine— the same engine that Dodge Tomahawk used. However, Allen Millyard wanted to create something that looked more like a motorcycle.

• Overall Weight : The Millyard Viper V10 was a simple motorcycle with no extraordinary features. However, because it was fitted with a large Viper V 10 engine, it weighed around 540 kg ( 1,200 lbs ).
• Engine Weight : The 10-cylinder 8 L Viper V 10 engine weighs around 320 kg ( 700 lbs ).
• Motorcycle’s Weight : The rest of the motorbike was only 220 kg heavy.

• Horsepower : The Millyard Viper V10’s engine could produce a massive horsepower of 500 bhp at 4,800 rpm.
• Top Speed Estimation : Regarding the top speed, Millyard didn’t rely only on the estimation. In fact, the Millyard Viper V 10 turned out to be a practical high-performance motorbike, clocking a top speed of 200 mph in the initial test.
• Later, at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground , it set a top speed record of 207 mph .
• Expected Top Speed : In addition to speed tests, Allen Millyard has stated that the Millyard V10 is expected to reach a top speed of 250 mph .

In 2023 , Allen Millyard, along with a passenger on the Millyard Viper V10, set a Guinness World Record of achieving a top speed of 183.5 mph . They successfully beat the 10-year record of an American couple.

The Aurora V8 Hellfire OZ26 is an ultra-sports bike with sharp and aggressive styling. It was designed and built by Vincent Messina, a former superbike racer and Australian engineer.

Aurora V8 Hellfire OZ26 is powered by a 2,575 cc V8 car engine . It is a liquid-cooled 32-valve DOHC engine capable of delivering 417 bhp at 9,500 rpm and 235 lb-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm .

The Aurora V8 Hellfire OZ26's power and torque figures are not as superior as those of the above-mentioned car-engine-powered bikes. However, it is slightly more practical than all of the above. Though it is an ultra-sports bike, it is lighter and more maneuverable. Above all, it has a comparatively relaxed riding position with a low center of gravity.

A few of the most notable features the Aurora V8 Hellfire OZ26 has include:

• Öhlins rear shock absorbers
• Hossack front suspension
• Anti-Dive and anti-squat chassis design

Being a high-performance, ultra sports bike, the Aurora V8 Hellfire OZ26 can easily maneuver and take corners. This bike also features carbon fiber and billet aluminum parts and components to keep the weight minimum. Besides superior handling, the stopping power is also very reliable.

Unlike most car-engine-powered motorcycles, the Aurora V8 Hellfire OZ26 boasts a five-speed transmission with a hydraulic slipper clutch and dual universal shaft drive for smooth operation. The front and rear suspensions offer full adjustability, along with long-wheel travel.

Besides superior mechanical features, the Aurora V8 Hellfire OZ26 also has technologically advanced features. The programmable traction control system, along with the Motec M1 Series Engine Management System (EMS), allows riders to choose between multiple ride modes for a customizable riding experience.

Oldson’s V8 Flathead is a very stylish and classic motorcycle equipped with a car engine. Despite its hefty engine size, this bike has been beautifully designed. The parts are neatly integrated to give it a clean look. It is a custom-built motorcycle by Dale Olson .

Olson's V8 Flathead takes its engine from Ford.The Ford Flathead V8 is a classically built engine used in Ford cars from 1932 to 1953 .

The Ford Flathead engines and the whole bike’s styling give a nostalgic feeling. The Olson’s V8 Flathead is a vintage-styled motorcycle. The Olson's V8 Flathead features a carburetor , disc brakes , and a springer front fork . It is a street-legal motorcycle.

There are many parts that are retained on this bike. However, the frame is custom-built to ensure the engine is fitted firmly.

Despite its clean cruiser look, the engine still looks massive and doesn’t match the overall design. This bike's seat height is quite low, which ultimately makes the ground clearance closer to the ground. The handlebars are substantially swept back and installed on risers.

Before you get impressed with any of the above motorcycles, you must know they are impractical. They are not safe to use on roads. They are extremely heavy due to being fitted with car engines. However, these car engine-powered motorcycles received a lot of spotlight due to being unique from other motorcycles. Remember, these bikes were only produced in limited numbers.

The five most amazing motorcycles powered by car engines produce exceptional horsepower and torque. You will be dazzled to know how fast these motorcycles can go, which is why they are not practical. It is better to stick to the normal and ride motorcycles that are very clear about their purpose. It is better to be safe and ride responsibly.