SwRI engineers use advanced measurement and analysis techniques to study and evaluate engine emissions from motorcycle, scooter, and recreational vehicle engines. The Institute has been involved in emissions research for more than 20 years, including several landmark studies of small engines for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Keeping pace with constantly improving measurement techniques, SwRI applies its extensive experience to emissions research programs involving outboard motors and engines used in motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, and personal watercraft.

Both engine and chassis dynamometers are used with the latest emissions measurement equipment for a variety of test requirements. Evaporative emissions “SHEDs” (Sealed Housing Evaporative Determination) are used to measure evaporative emissions of motorcycles and scooters to help manufacturers meet increasingly stringent government emissions requirements.

Motorcycle and Recreational Vehicle Emissions Regulations

The EPA introduced a proposed rule to adopt the more stringent, California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards for highway motorcycles and to impose them nationwide.

The EPA last implemented new motorcycle emissions standards in 1980, which are far more lenient than those recently proposed by CARB.

CARB proposed revised standards in 1998 for Class III highway motorcycles, to take effect in two phases: Tier 1 for the 2004 model year and Tier 2 for the 2008 model year. The EPA proposed new exhaust emissions standards that would extend the California requirements nationwide two years after their initial implementation for all motorcycle classes. These new standards are also proposed for smaller engine classes such as those used for scooters and mopeds.

A summary of the motorcycle emissions standards for Class 3 (280 cc and larger) is shown below:

	As with all SwRI's emissions work, the major goal is to help industry bring advanced, environmentally friendly engines, control systems, fuels, and lubricants to the market and to work to keep them there.

SwRI has many years of experience developing engines, fuel injection/control systems, and aftertreatment technologies to meet increasing emissions standards for the automotive and motorcycle industries. SwRI engineers apply a broad range of technologies to achieve desired emissions requirements. Our extensive experience with automotive emissions reduction technologies, combined with our knowledge of the motorcycle industry, allows SwRI to develop unique emissions reduction techniques for the motorcycle and recreational vehicle industries.

In addition to the proposed on-highway emissions standards, the EPA is also adopting new standards for off-highway motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, and personal watercraft.

New Recreational Vehicle Emissions Regulations Announced!

The EPA recently announced the new emissions standards for off-road recreational products such as snowmobiles, ATVs, and off-highway motorcycles. Currently, only California has emissions regulations for ATVs and off-highway motorcycles (OHMs). The new EPA standards are similar to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards; however, EPA added an oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) requirement. A summary of the snowmobile, ATV, and OHM standards is shown below:

SwRI applies many of the same emissions reduction techniques to recreational vehicles used for the highway motorcycle industry. SwRI engineers apply a broad range of technologies to achieve the desired emissions requirements.

At SwRI, we are always striving to offer the best services possible to our clients. This motorcycle technology information represents only a small portion of how SwRI can assist your company with motorcycle testing, research, and development.