Kawasaki M1030 M1 Diesel Military Motorcycles

The M1030 is a lightweight, rugged, commercial, cross-country motorcycle, based on the Kawasaki KLR 650, modified for military use. It provides an alternate means of transporting messages, documents, and light cargo between units. The M1030 may also be used to transport forward observers, military police, and reconnaissance personnel. The size and construction of the M1030 makes it highly mobile on all roads and cross-country terrain.

The M1030, M1030B1 and M1030M1 motorcycles are the COTS (Commercial Off the Shelf) Kawasaki KLR 650 modified for military use by Hayes Diversified Technologies. The M1030 and M1030B1 have been procured by the US Army, USMC, and the USAF. The M1030M1 is a program of the USMC. Since 2006, Hayes also produces the M1030M1E specifically designed for the UK and EU NATO countries.

M1030M1 Military Motorcycles at manufacturer Hayes Diversified Technologies, ready for crating after final inspection. Photo courtesy Hayes Diversified Technologies
M1030M1 Military Motorcycles at manufacturer Hayes Diversified Technologies, ready for crating after final inspection. Photo courtesy Hayes Diversified Technologies.

Today in WW II: 9 Jul 1940 Battle of Calabria [Battle of Punta Stilo, the toe of Italy] fought between the Italian Royal Navy and the British/Australian Royal Navies, 30 miles [48km] east of Punta Stilo.  More ↓
9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul].
9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France.
9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Kawasaki M1030 Military Motorcycles

The 1991 model M1030 replaced the 1984 KLR 250. It is called the "Motorcycle, Military, 2-Wheel, M1030."

The Kawasaki M1030B1 is an upgraded M1030 while the Kawasaki M1030M1 runs on diesel fuel instead of gasoline. The Marine Corps will modify its fleet of M1030 motorcycles to incorporate the M1 multi-fuel engine which will meet the requirement for a single battlefield fuel by 2003. The engine will be capable of burning JP4, JP5, JP8, Kerosene, and diesel fuel. The multi-fuel engine is expected to fulfill all performance and RAM-D related requirements as established by the gasoline powered Kawasaki KLR 650, while delivering approximately 100 miles per gallon.

Kawasaki M1030 Military Motorcycle Characteristics

  M1030 M1030B1 M1030M1
NSN 2340-01-340-5246 2340-01-465-2533 2340-01-530-9371
Length 86 in. 85 in. 85 in.
Width 34 in. 35.75 in. 35.75 in.
Height 48 in. 54 in. 54 in.
Curb Weight 293 lbs 358 lbs 369 lbs
Fuel MOGAS MOGAS JP8/Diesel
Capacity 2.8 gal. 6.0 gal. 4.2 gal.
MPG 75 55 96
Fording depth 18 in. 24 in. 24 in.
Engine 23 hp. 1 cyl, 250cc 48 hp. 1 cyl, 651cc 30 hp. 1 cyl, 611cc
Transmission six speeds five speeds five speeds

The M1030 can be equipped with two detachable document carrying case cargo compartments that fit like saddlebags over the rear wheels.

Unissued USMC Kawasaki KLR 650 M1030B1 at a warehouse aboard Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, 31 August 2000
Unissued USMC Kawasaki KLR 650 M1030B1 at a warehouse aboard Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, 31 August 2000.

A Marine from 7th Marines HQ Co., Twentynine Palms, CA driving an M1030 M1 Diesel Kawasaki scout bike, Camp Ripper, Kuwait, during Operation Enduring Freedom, 24 February 2003.
A Marine from 7th Marines HQ Co., Twentynine Palms, CA driving an M1030 M1 Diesel Kawasaki scout bike, Camp Ripper, Kuwait, during Operation Enduring Freedom, 24 February 2003.

A Marine from Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, the ground combat element of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), speeds over an Albanian trail on his M1030 motorcyle during the MEU's amphibious landing exercise in Albania, 9 March 2004
A Marine from Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, the ground combat element of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), speeds over an Albanian trail on his M1030 motorcyle during the MEU's amphibious landing exercise in Albania, 9 March 2004. Thanks to Dan Parmley Jr. of Tactical Vehicle Depot and mvdataplates.com for correct ID.

Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to load their M1030 motorcycles into a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during flight operations in the Mediterranean Sea on 18 April 2005
Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to load their M1030 motorcycles into a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during flight operations in the Mediterranean Sea on 18 April 2005. Thanks to Dan Parmley Jr. of Tactical Vehicle Depot and mvdataplates.com for correct ID.

M1030B1 belonging to Dan Parmley Jr. Photo courtesy Dan Parmley Jr. of Tactical Vehicle Depot and mvdataplates.com
M1030B1 belonging to Dan Parmley Jr. Photo courtesy Dan Parmley Jr. of Tactical Vehicle Depot and mvdataplates.com.

M1030B1 dataplate. Photo courtesy Dan Parmley Jr. of Tactical Vehicle Depot and mvdataplates.com
M1030B1 dataplate. Photo courtesy Dan Parmley Jr. of Tactical Vehicle Depot and mvdataplates.com.

Marine Corps Motorcycle M1030M1
Marine Corps Motorcycle M1030M1.