20 Apr 05. The U.K. MoD will soon be issuing a requirement for 1000 motor and quad bikes of various configurations under it ULES, Ultra Light Utility System requirement, Darren Harvey of Roush told BATTLESPACE Editor Julian Nettlefold during a visit to the plant yesterday. ULES is a requirement to replace the existing motorbike fleet with a mixture of quad and motorbikes he told us. “We are confident that our new Roush diesel quad bike developed from the existing petrol Arctic Cat quad bike, will fir the bill,” Harvey said. “Although diesel is not mandated we expect the NATO common fuel requirement out be in our favour, the diesel bike can burn diesel or kerosene. Competitors for the requirement would be Honda which is already supplying vehicles for the MoD, Kawasaki and the ATV Corp’s. Prowler vehicle being trialed by the U.S. Marines. There is another MoD requirement for 40 quad bikes that Roush will not be able to fulfill as its diesel bike will not be ready until October/November.
We expect the launch customer to be an east European Customs force for Border Protection. Using the Arctic Cat network we can support this bike anywhere in the world.
The Editor drove the bike and its Lombardini 2-cylinder 18hp 686cc diesel with a CV gearbox gave an excellent and versatile cross-country performance. Although slightly slower than its petrol cousin the Roush diesel gives improved torque at the lower end to enable it to pull load of 500kgs and 40kgs on the front hamper and 60 on the back. In addition it gives better driver security as it is easier to handle in rough terrain conditions.
We will be running a feature on quad bikes and a new Roush vehicle in our June DVD issue.