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I was curious if anyone has any links to sources that have emissions data on motorcycles. Kinda curious how bad my bike is. :Banane13:

I've never some across any data on motorcycle emissions.

I have a feeling (not confirmed) that the EPA might not test them (the only bike manufacturer I've seen publish MPG ratings is buell)

I don't believe that motorcycles are tested. Though there was something a couple of years ago to get them to do so, but it never went through (don't remember the reasons though).

Hi TheTonka:

___I was doing some research into it last year for the site and Motorcycle emissions are wicked nasty by comparison to a new car or truck. CARB’s site had some info on it as did a few others with links. I wish I had them handy but a little searching around here will bring them back. IIRC, the bikes were allowed to emit over 20X’s the amount of NOx, HC’s and PM as CARB’s LEV program (std. new car today). The FE numbers were not all that hot from the cycle mags I linked in that particular post either :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Not sure about emissions, but AFAIK for FE most larger bikes runs in the 40-50mpg range. Big twins a bit better, fours and sixes a bit worse. About a year ago Cycle World did a FE test of bikes and scooters they thought would get good mpg. As I recall, the Kawasaki 250 Ninja (a single cylinder) gave 80mpg highway and would have been my choice because it was a real motorcycle with real wheels and brakes. A scooter was my first vehicle and I'm not fond of those tiny wheels and sketchy brakes (but things may have changed these days).

The giggle factor sells bikes, not FE, so their engines are optimized for HP. That's hard to get around, even with regearing. Add to that the fact that bikes by their nature are not very aero, and that many of the FE techniques are tough to do on a bike given the way the controls work.

That said, bikes are far easier to park than 4-wheelers and flow through traffic far easier (not talking zig-zagging here) because one sees better from a higher vantage point and they accelerate into slots more quickly being so much lighter.

Bikes have another role as well: satisfying the need for speed/acceleration without burning a lot of fuel. Even my feeble-by-today's-standards 100hp bike will roll my eyeballs if I gas it hard - and still return 45mpg! I've ridden some really fast bikes and they're so quick they seem to move in a series of warps (and I decided they were too fast for me!). 100+ hp in a 500-600lb package is quicker than 600hp in a 6000lb vehicle. Riding bikes has left me ho-hum about performance cars and trucks, at least the ones that are within financial reach. Sure I admire Porsches, etc, but bikes have eliminated the desire to actually BUY one even if I could afford it. Don't know if this would work for others but it certainly changed my perspective.

Of course a lot of current MC culture is Harleys and Harley-style bikes. They don't have the sheer performance but emphasize bling and noise more, so I'm not sure how well they satisfy the performance craving.

I agree with the idea that a bike really replaces the need for a sporty car. I ride my 81 Yamaha XS850 to work every day it's nice, down to about 40 degrees here in CT. It's older, doesn't get great gas mileage at about 30~40 mpg, but it sure keeps me from buying another sports car.

That being said, I would like to upgrade to a newer Suzuki SV650. Not only is it supposed to be a great all around fun bike (without ripping your face off), but it gets 50+ mpg.

Also, I don't know what the love affair with those billet-barges (big harleys with lots of heavy chrome) is. They scream: "I'm an outsider, just like everyone else."

PS - Ninja 250 is a paralell twin.

PS - Ninja 250 is a paralell twin.
OOPS, sorry!! That should make it smoother than a single would be.

I really like the SV650's and have heard great things about them.

To extend your riding season look into an electrically heated vest. You wear it under your jacket. Thermostat is a good idea to vary heating as your speed changes. Gloves and chaps can be added on too. I use Widder but there are others on the market. Aerostich suits are great for commuting because they protect against the cold and you can wear regular clothes under them.

Obviously near freezing temps ice is a serious concern so check the conditions!!!

I'm actually looking at getting a Ninja 250 - good to hear they've got such great MPG.

A close friend of has a SV650 and loves it. Excellent bike all around - torquey down low, lots of top end, plenty of acceleration, and still great FE. He tracks it regularly and does really well, keeping up with 1000cc bikes without breaking a sweat.

The SV650 is a great mid-range bike. :)

It would be nice to see some emissions controls make their way to motorcycles. One of my neighbors has a new-ish Harley that he uses to commute, and every time I'm outside when that thing is around I can smell the unburned hydrocarbons and other gunk pouring out the pipe. Not as bad as untreated diesel exhaust, of course, but still pretty nasty.

Noise pollution may be the bigger problem with that particular bike, though. I don't sleep past 4:30AM anymore because that's when he leaves for work. He starts it right outside my bedroom window and that thing is LOUD!

Well I know my California spec DL1000 has some emissions equipment that the non cali bikes do not have. I have seen articles on how to remove the equipment by some people because it adds something like 40 lbs to the bike.

The DL1000 and DL650 are the same basic bikes as the SV1000 and SV650. The DLs are taller and have more plastic, they are style after the BMW GSs as kind of a touring/enduro/sport crossover. The engine and frame are shared but the engine is tune a bit different with less high end power and more low end torque. I love the bike.

With 1000CC and almost 100hp I am not lacking for power in any way, especially on a bike that is less than 600 lbs. That puts me and the bike at around 800 lbs.

So what would be the primary characteristic of a bike like mine that would make it such a polluter? I would love to improve on the 45-47 mpg I get now and improving on the emissions at the same time would be an added bonus. I know many bikes suffer from inefficient burns as most people can't or don't properly adjust them, especially if they are carbureted. Of course I am still under my warranty so I have to keep that in mind.

Does anyone know of anyone who does fuel maps for the Power Commander with more of a mileage/emissions focus? Power Commander has a new LCD unit that allows map changes on the fly. Like my truck that would be great to spend most time in a fuel economy mode and be able to switch to a more power mode when needed.