Too bad they went with the expensive electric system for the hybrid especially for the third world.

What a lovely read, thank you very much for this awesome article!
Great project and concept. However: One does have to realize that all this effort of having a dual drive (Diesel and electric) only has one advantage over a pure electric, solar-charged drive: Range. For now.
But that range comes at the expense of having to buy fuel, and having to deal with a considerably iffier system (combustion engine) than with a solar powered battery system. Helping rural communities lastingly means getting them of that infusion of outside energy, aka oil.
The solar cell power price is getting real lower and lower, we are approaching a dollar per watt (for small consumers, large have long passed that) and that means the 1500 watts this hybrid produces can be permanently supplied with a one-time $1500 investment (I'm really simplifying things here but you get the point). Those 1500 bucks will be recouped by savings for (hard currency) spendings on fuel, which would essentially never stop. Being dependent on buying oil is economically deadly, the poorer the people, the deadlier. It's the gun on their head that never goes away.
Within a few battery generations (I say 10 years) we will see a new situation for these kinds of things: Solar electric is easier, cheaper, more versatile, and longer lasting than everything else. Not there quite yet, but mark my words. It's quiet. It doesn't stink. No seizing pistons. No issues from dirty fuel. I could go on and on...

I would like to second BeWalt's sentiments and thank Mike Hanlon for a very informative article. I learned a lot from reading it, as I am sure will many others.

theres also the altuis scimitar (which seems to have disappeared), that was actually reviewed by a motorcycle magazine. the market is there for an offroad diesel production bike, and it still surprises me that one hasnt materialised.

Diesel work bike plus generator: not a new concept,
http://blog.motorcycle.com/2010/08/26/motorcycle-news/ecorider-diesel-powered-motorcycle-video/
The Eco-Rider failed because it was positively dangerous to ride. After a go on it on a farm I refused to get back on it.
The Hero looks a bit more rider-friendly!

I've seen a lot of working motorcycles, and the Hero does address many real issues, but traction is not one I've noticed. KISS.

Good concept, particularly the racks and mounts. Some thoughts: * 1.5 kW is nice to have, but really not big enough. Need 3 to 5 kW option.
* Need direct mechanical power take-off for farm machinery. A high-capacity water pump add- on would be perhaps even more useful than plow and harvester. (Could be used for amphibious conversion, too.)
* The headlight needs to be removable only with the key. A small, marginally-adequate permanently built-in headlight is needed in addition; the vehicle will certainly sometimes be operated without the main headlight at night.
* Two or more transverse mounting holes connected to the frame at the bottom of the bike and running all the way through from one side to the other would allow pipe or pole racks to be attached. The mounts should have cross - bolts or other means to lock the pipe frame pieces in place. A couple other pieces of common hardware would allow connecting outrigger/ lengthwise pipes to the cross pieces which run through the bike. This would allow carrying truckloads of material on the bike.

I'm pretty sure Hayes Diesel has given up production of the Bulldog, regardless of what their website says. They've had that "production delayed" statement on their website for years.

Having owned two undependable lead-acid battery-powered electric scooters (I was an optimist), and reading about the problems Nissan Leaf owners and Boeing have with their far more sophisticated batteries, I'm convinced that batteries are just not durable enough to replace internal combustion. Hybrids are better since the combustion engine acts as a generator to protect the batteries from overly deep discharge. Capacitors or fuel cells (or some radically new battery design) may offer a better solution in the future, but until then, hybrids are a great way to reduce oil consumption.
I was really interested in the Bulldog back in 2005, but when I contacted Hayes I was put off by the high price - around $15k, which is more than double what a donor KLR 650 costs.
I'm very impressed with this new Hero design. Having spent some time in India and Vietnam, I've seen how people use scooters to transport loads that boggle western minds, simply because cars and trucks are too expensive for most locals to own.
I recall reading that Hero Motorcorp and Erik Buell Racing formed a partnership in 2012. Not to take anything away from Hero's role, but was EBR involved in the RNT's development? This new design is so radically out-of-the-box it practically screams "Buell!" :)

I can see having a wide front end (3 wheel version) with carrying capacity, perhaps electric assist... especially if it would regenerative brake and charge batteries.