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this post was submitted on 26 Oct 2023
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I wonder how motorcycles have fared? Motorcycle engine emissions seem to work different than car emissions. One thing I see a lot of is engines that were designed in the 80's or 90's (or 40's, if it's the right Royal Enfield) and are still sold now basically unmodified. You can buy a 2023 Suzuki DR650 right now today, and it will still have an air cooled engine with a carburetor on it.
But tightening emissions regulations have started to push out some of these engines. There probably won't be a 2024 DR650. The air-cooled Sportsters can't be sold in the EU now, and it won't be long before they're gone in the US.
I went from a 2009 Suzuki with the most simple of engines to a 2023 Harley with fuel injection, and overhead cams with variable valve timing. It has got to be a cleaner running engine, but I wonder how it compares to cars?
I think, and don't quote me, there have been some changes mostly to the exhaust/tuning side of things to cut emissions. I ride a '17 Bolt r-spec, and pretty much the most common mod is to change the air intake, pipes, and a fuel controller because the stock ones are kinda wimpy for emissions concerns. That said, a cursory search seems to indicate that bikes are terrible. Of course, you have to take into account that bikes produce less emissions, however pound for pound seem to produce significantly worse emissions. FTA:
Not great. It seems though that based on the article, there are relatively few studies by comparison and that bikes aren't regulated near the degree that cars are. I'll also say that in the above example of a '93 Shadow, that is a carbeurated bike and in that era would have been doing basically nothing to try to curb emissions. Comparatively, a new Honda Civic is going to be fuel injected with a catalytic converter and so forth. The other point of comparison they use is the above BMW 1150 GS, which is cited from a 2008 study, so at newest a 2008 bike, which they compare to a 2020 Dodge Ram. These just aren't particularly useful comparisons because especially in the last 5-10 years, emissions standards especially for cars are ridiculously different than the era of those bikes. I would really be curious to see how something even slightly modern (like, say, my Bolt with the stock tuning/catalytic converter, etc) compares.
I agree, it's not a useful comparison between a 2008 motorcycle and 2020 vehicle.
There's been advancements in motorcycle engines too in the last 5-10 years. Variable valve timing is a common thing in cars (even a Mitsubishi Mirage has it, and it doesn't even have a fourth cylinder) but until recently there werent many bikes that had it. But now you can even buy a Harley (you know, the motorcycle company that everyone says makes primitive engines) with variable valve timing.