Motorcycle worse for the environment then cars?

[kulwen]

Motorcycle worse for the environment then cars?

Tonight I was watching "The Works" on the history channel. The entire show was on motorcycle, very interesting. Around the end of the program the following comment was stated.

"Motorcycle are some of the most fuel efficiency vehicles on the planet. The fuel efficiency is twice that of cars, and three times that of SUV and trucks. But, that fuel efficiency has a cost. Motorcycles emit more dangerous smog forming oxides of nitrogen then any other vehicle"

I have never heard this. Was the show way off base, or is there some truth to it?

 

[smokeFJR06]

Motorcycle worse for the environment then cars?
Tonight I was watching "The Works" on the history channel. The entire show was on motorcycle, very interesting. Around the end of the program the following comment was stated.

"Motorcycle are some of the most fuel efficiency vehicles on the planet. The fuel efficiency is twice that of cars, and three times that of SUV and trucks. But, that fuel efficiency has a cost. Motorcycles emit more dangerous smog forming oxides of nitrogen then any other vehicle"

I have never heard this. Was the show way off base, or is there some truth to it?

I can't answer you question directly, but I work with some engineers that purchase Gas and Electricity for the company I work for. One of them is a huge car buff and he recently told me that congress has Motorcycles on their radar as a next target for EPAC which is going to ruin our automobile industry. I can see it now......we'll be riding Hybrid motorcycles in the future.

 

[Scab]

Yeah, it's true. But, I never liked that damn ole environment anyway.

 

[Toecutter]

Motorcycles emit more dangerous smog forming oxides of nitrogen then any other vehicle"

Edit

IBTL

 

[kulwen]

[i can see it now......we'll be riding Hybrid motorcycles in the future.

It was also mentioned.

Link

 

[Blue Flame]

Is there not anything that the goverment will leave sacred and stay out of? We are doing our part and conserving fuel isn't that good enough?

 

[Ignacio]

Was the show way off base, or is there some truth to it?

Not really off base, but more a value judgment.

A state like California...or especially a city like L.A. is going to be more concerned about Nox production than other locations where smog isn't as much of a problem. Consumers are more interested in things like MPG because of the higher gas pump prices. It's not a binary equation where it's good or bad....everybody's a winner or a loser....it's more complex than that.

It almost always is.

Meanwhile, I wouldn't worry too much about motorcycles and especially not the FJR because it is fuel-injected and catalytic converter that makes it much closer to standards of autos.

There are other, even bigger polluters to deal with, such as diesel trucks, construction equipment and non-emissions-compliant products from China.

Is there not anything that the goverment will leave sacred and stay out of? We are doing our part and conserving fuel isn't that good enough?

And the admin reminder.....keep it about motorcycles and ideally the FJR before you start uttering terms like government, policy, politics, etc. Or you may find yourself rereading the forum guidelines while you take a time-out for the week.

 

[radman]

"Motorcycle are some of the most fuel efficiency vehicles on the planet. The fuel efficiency is twice that of cars, and three times that of SUV and trucks. But, that fuel efficiency has a cost. Motorcycles emit more dangerous smog forming oxides of nitrogen then any other vehicle"

I know Frank does, and I'm proud to say it's because of my untiring effort that it does. Nest year I'm shootin' for the CO record, Guinness has been contacted.

 

[colin]

I guess it depends on the bike.... FJR seems to hum along quite friendly-like. First thing I did on the brutale is rip the cat out....

 

[Roadrider]

They must be talking about Harleys (or my '89 Honda).

The FJR is fuel-injected and has a catalytic converter so I doubt it's much of an offender compared to most. My lawn tractor is probably worse.

 

[Fred W]

All things are relative. Motorcycles are not as fuel efficient as many people make them out to be.

Yes, an FJR gets 40-45 mpg and so is more fuel efficient than most cars. But not all cars. Some do get better than 45 mpg. And how many people are riding in the car vs the motorcycle? If you had my '08 Chevy Impala riding down the highway getting 30 mpg with 4 people comfortably riding in it (120 mpg/person) you are getting better fuel efficiency than an FJR even with a passenger (90 mpg/person).

Obviously, the more fuel that is burned to accomplish the transportation job, the more emissions are potentially generated. But more germane to the title is that many motorcycles do not have the emissions technology the FJR does. Of my 3 bikes, only the FJR has a cat. The VFR is fuel injected, but no cat. The BMW was born before fuel injection was commonly used.

There are a lot more old bikes on the road than old cars.

 

[Roadrider]

All things are relative. Motorcycles are not as fuel efficient as many people make them out to be.
Yes, an FJR gets 40-45 mpg and so is more fuel efficient than most cars. But not all cars. Some do get better than 45 mpg. And how many people are riding in the car vs the motorcycle? If you had my '08 Chevy Impala riding down the highway getting 30 mpg with 4 people comfortably riding in it (120 mpg/person) you are getting better fuel efficiency than an FJR even with a passenger (90 mpg/person).

Obviously, the more fuel that is burned to accomplish the transportation job, the more emissions are potentially generated. But more germane to the title is that many motorcycles do not have the emissions technology the FJR does. Of my 3 bikes, only the FJR has a cat. The VFR is fuel injected, but no cat. The BMW was born before fuel injection was commonly used.

There are a lot more old bikes on the road than old cars.

I see way more solo drivers in pickups and SUVs on my commute than I see motorcycles or 4 passenger cars. Since I'm either driving my subaru (22mpg) or riding my FJR (40mpg), I think I'm doing the environment a favor on my bike. I agree there are alot more bikes on the road without FI or cats compared to cars. I wonder how an 80's or 90's bike would compare to an 80's or 90's car driving solo as far as environment impact is concerned.

 

[MotownJJG]

It's really caused by global warming - like this pimple on my a- - that's caused by global warming.

But its all going to be OK. I saw this on a movie....Windex cures everything...just spray it on and watch it work!!!

 

[RonBB]

Is there not anything that the goverment will leave sacred and stay out of? We are doing our part and conserving fuel isn't that good enough?

"No" and "Not if they can tell someone else what to do"

 

[Roadrider]

....Windex cures everything...just spray it on and watch it work!!!

Since I've now read this on the Internet, it must be true!

 

[FJRBluesman]

... Windex cures everything...just spray it on and watch it work!!!

Windex has toxins in it. It's hazardous waste. It also causes high levels of Nos, Co2, GC, SI, and worst of all HG contaminants. I even heard it contributes to flatulence.

I read these things on a forum somewhere... or underwear...??

That being said, I think the FJR emits far less nasty things into our environment.

 

[smokeFJR06]

Is there not anything that the goverment will leave sacred and stay out of? We are doing our part and conserving fuel isn't that good enough?

This is how bad and rediculous it is......your LAWN MOWER is also on the hit list for EPAC regulations.

 

[Rob]

It's really caused by global warming - like this pimple on my a- - that's caused by global warming.
But its all going to be OK. I saw this on a movie....Windex cures everything...just spray it on and watch it work!!!

If you get a whole truck load of windex you have to put HazMat placards on it so you know it must be good stuff.

Look at all the snow and cold we had last winter, if not for Global Warming we would be in a Ice Age right now.

I had heard that bikes were bad for the environment that is why in July when I bought a new Pick Up I bought a F250 4X4 with a Diesel. I am hoping this offsets the damage I am doing by riding.

I keep telling my ex wives that I am a giver.

Is there not anything that the goverment will leave sacred and stay out of? We are doing our part and conserving fuel isn't that good enough?

This is how bad and rediculous it is......your LAWN MOWER is also on the hit list for EPAC regulations.

Just one more reason not to mow your lawn.

 

[radman]

The real threat is

Dihydrogen monoxide:

* is called "hydroxyl acid", the substance is the major component of acid rain.

* contributes to the "greenhouse effect".

* may cause severe burns.

* contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.

* accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.

* may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.

* has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:

* as an industrial solvent and coolant.

* in nuclear power plants.

* in the production of styrofoam.

* as a fire retardant.

* in many forms of cruel animal research.

* in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.

* as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products.

Until the horrors of dihydrogen monoxide in the environment are addressed, we are on a fast slide to hell, and government refuses to even acknowledge the threat!