Diesel, turbo and motorcycles are the things that usually don’t go hand in hand. But all that could soon change with Yamaha filing a European patent application for a new series of motorcycle-size turbo diesel engines in both inline-four and twin-cylinder configurations.

Traditionally, packaging issues have always hindered the use of a diesel engine in a motorcycle chassis, considering its physical size and weight. But Yamaha’s patent includes various design and technological innovations like the placement of intercooler, turbo and other components to improve packaging for a more compact design.

There may have been diesel powered motorcycles in the past but not many motorcycle manufacturers have ventured into using a turbo diesel engine - a notable exception includes the 2006 Neander Turbo Diesel motorcycle. The patent gives no hints about whether the bike would be put into production, but is merely an indicator of the direction of research.