Epa Issues New Streetbike Emissions Rules

[budman]

December 23, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bill Kresnak
Phone: (614) 856-1900

EPA ISSUES NEW STREETBIKE EMISSIONS RULES

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
reports that road-going motorcycles nationwide will be required to meet
new strict emissions standards beginning with the 2006 models, under
rules released by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

But the new rules, issued December 23, give small-volume motorcycle
manufacturers a break in meeting the new standards, and provide for
exemptions for certain motorcycles.



The EPA rules set new emissions standards that are the same as those
adopted by the state of California, but will go into effect two years
after California's standards. The first tier of the new national
standards will go into effect in 2006 and a second tier in 2010.

The new national emissions standards are expected to result in an
increased use of fuel injection and catalytic converters on new
motorcycles. Some motorcycles sold in the United States already meet
California's strict 2008 standards, which are the same as the planned
federal EPA 2010 standard.

The California standard that begins with the current model year, 2004,
and the federal standard that will take effect for the 2006 model year,
require new motorcycles to emit no more than 1.4 grams per kilometer
traveled of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, and 12 grams per kilometer
of carbon monoxide.

Before passage of the new federal rule, federal emissions standards for
street motorcycles were 5.0 grams of hydrocarbons and 12 grams of carbon
monoxide per kilometer traveled.

Under the new rule, manufacturers who build fewer than 3,000 motorcycles
a year, and who have fewer than 500 employees, don't need to meet the
first-tier emissions standards until 2008. They also aren't required to
meet the second-tier standards.

The EPA also provides certain exemptions for "kit" and custom
motorcycles.

Nothing in the new rules changes what owners may do legally to customize
their motorcycles.

 

[mercurial]

as long as motorcycles aren't smog-chcked on a regular basis, motorcyclists are still free to go nuts.

it makes me wonder if manufacturers will eventually sell "race" kits b/c EPA standards make power increases impossible.

 

[Meterpig]

If you guys only knew huge this was. Thank the Bush admin for this one...

If gore or some other crazy Lib were in there, we would all be screwed....

 

[budman]

The door is open.....I wil step through

 

[self]

We're all still gonna get cancer.

And i don't want to start another political argument, but Bush administration-shmush administration. If you're giving them credit for this one, you might have to give some "Libs" credit for getting the standard raised in California first.

 

[Meterpig]

Well, I should have been more specific.

1. The EPA had big plans to stick a Cat converter on everything from a Motorcycle to Dad's custom chopper from Orange County Motorcyle. That would suck for small business. Cats are not cool.

2. The moto industry had a cow. Lobbied the EPA(Enviornmental Pricks of America)
who wants to regulate farting from rich people.

3. Bush is pro business-to a fault. I agree. The mercury is a bit high in the tuna. But, we need more logging for sure. What I am saying is that Bush tends to be more helpful to business.

That is what I am saying.

 

[Dar25]

Does that mean there wont be a CA only model soon? In other words CA model will become a 50 state model

 

[budman]

I believe that is correct Dar..as of '06..but some how Calif will find a way to fook us..always have to be above and beyond

 

[FungShui]

Wait so whats happening. I readed everything and I'm not comprehending it maybe its because its too early in the morning or something. But this is what I think I got. There is going to smog emmission test on motorcycle like on cars. So our motorcycles will have to be smogged and we won't get to have our power commanders, full exhaust kits, etc. Please correct me if I'm wrong. ITS TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING!

 

[Dar25]

I dont think they talk about the actual smog checks.
I think it's mostly requirement for manufacurers to produce emmission compliant motorcycles (as they do already, but with stricter limits)

 

[budman]

No smog checks...just manufacturing guidelines to be met..

 

[OldFatGuy]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I don't see this as a bad thing. Look at what smog laws have done to the automotive aftermarket. We now enjoy more efficient, cleaner running engines that have way more horsepower than those of yesteryear, yet still idle smoothly, start right up when cold, etc.

What makes people think that motorcycles will be any different? California bikes already sport catalytic converters. Are they slow? I don't think so. They might be down 1-2 horsepower from the 49-state bikes, but I doubt most of us will miss that 2 horsepower and we can all enjoy the cleaner air.

 

[ryanrs]

Jeez, people. We're only talking HC, NOx, and CO. Not CO2, not testing. Maybe this will force more bikes to go to FI instead of carbs. Is this really so bad? The manufacturers are already going in this direction. My SV pollutes a hell of a lot more than a new car, but there's no reason it has to be this way.

 

[Gragorin]

Some bikes already have catalytic converters in CA and/or the rest of the US so I don't think it will affect us that much.

 

[Meterpig]

Jeez, people. We're only talking HC, NOx, and CO. Not CO2, not testing. Maybe this will force more bikes to go to FI instead of carbs. Is this really so bad? The manufacturers are already going in this direction. My SV pollutes a hell of a lot more than a new car, but there's no reason it has to be this way.

Ok, your bike does pollute "more", but you have to define more. In cali, it seems that you are allowed 1.4 and 12 kg.

Ok, now that has to be compared with a car. Then, look how more fuel efficient a bike is vs. the average vehicle out there. Also, even though you get roughly the same milege as a small car, motos do little or no damage to the road.

Thus, it sucks that the EPA is going after a small minority. It helps nothing and hurts more.

As far as the cleaner air, I will take the 2hp.

 

[soysauce021]

you wanna smell/breathe FRESH air when you ride dont you? It wont be as bad as most people think. Plus i'm sure it wont be hard to take off the emissions things if need be.

 

[billswim]

If you want to see what direction the bike emmision control laws will go, just watch the car regs and expect that those will eventually apply to bikes as well.

If you want to read between the lines, small manufacturers and "special construction" bikes will be exempt from these regulations. What does that mean? It means that everyone's (on here at least) favorite punching bag, the harley riders have more political pull than you may realize. Most of the "special construction" bikes are harley copies. Yeah those "long haired dirt bags on slow ancient technology" go to political rallies and write their congressman and make their opinions known. OK OK it may help that most of the harley wannabes are lawyers with $20000 bikes and brand spankin new leathers to match who probably know a lot of lobbyists.

Bottom line, you want a hot, cool, modded bike you don't have to smog? Build it yourself and go the special construction route.

 

[Meterpig]

you wanna smell/breathe FRESH air when you ride dont you?

Heh, go ride a bike or drive your prius.

I will take the stinky air from dual Acro pipes fastened to a mille r.

You just wait till they want to run your bike so lean it barely runs at 12k rpm.

Oh by the way, cat converters get REALLY HOT. Don't touch it.....