The Army Rangers field two Kawasaki KLR 250 (designated M1030 military motorcycle) motorcycles with each two RSOVs. The bikes, which are used in applications ranging from reconnaissance to movement of two-man sniper teams, have been modified with special lighting configurations to facilitate night combat operations. With a 249 cc displacement, the KLR 250s have a dry weight of 118 kg prior to application of the auxiliary lights.
The Rangers have had motorcycles since 1988, starting with Honda CR 250s (1988-1995) with the Kawasaki KLR 250 filling that role since 1996. Some SOF operators have acquired the Kawasaki bikes after having them modified by Hayes Diversified Technologies, including but not limited to a replacement of the gasoline engine with a diesel.
Recovered on 1/4/14 from web.archive.org.
Hey, we had motorcycles since 1980/81. I was an operator of one in the 1/75th. Kawasaki 250. All the best.
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