Motorcycle.com

The Spaceman · 10-24-2011, 09:23 AM

The kid likes to watch "Myth Busters," which I like because they use at least somewhat scientific methodology to test various "myths." And Kari has an en rm us rack...she got a bolt-on set about 2 years ago...wait, back on topic.

Last night we watched a show that compared the pollution from 3 cars to 3 bikes, one each from the '80's, '90's, and '00's. They put realtime monitors on each vehicle, and then ran them on a street and highway course.

The bikes came in much lower in the CO2 department; according to the show that's a reflection of the better gas mileage. However, each bike was MUCH higher in all other pollutants, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitric oxide emissions. In one case, the bike put out 3000X more pollution than the comparable car!

Observation shows that a bike uses gasoline the same way a car does. It mixes it with air, compresses it, and burns it. What could be so different between their engines that could account for this huge difference?

Any experts out there who can debunk this "busted myth" that bikes are "greener" than cars?

Buzglyd · 10-24-2011, 09:48 AM

Cars have much more room for pollution stuff on em.

If you want your bike to weigh 700 lbs we can clean it up for you.

On balance, bikes are such an insignificant amount of total vehicles on the road, even they were made illegal, there would be no difference in total pollution.

C02 isn't a pollutant Kenneth.

sarnali2 · 10-24-2011, 09:59 AM

Cars have way more pollution contols on them, I would think an unmolested modern bike with a Cat and closed loop EFI would be pretty close though

2doorcinema · 10-24-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

C02 isn't a pollutant Kenneth.

Oh how I wish more people would realize that...

Easy Rider 2 · 10-24-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

C02 isn't a pollutant Kenneth.

Neither is water.......unless you are drowning in it !!

The Spaceman · 10-24-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

C02 isn't a pollutant Kenneth.

And the Earth is only 5,000 years old, and the stars revolve around the Earth, and blah blah blah.

The_AirHawk · 10-24-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

And the Earth is only 5,000 years old, and the stars revolve around the Earth, and blah blah blah.

The planet "Dirt" or "Urth" or whatever, is about 4.5 Billion-years old, so Science tells us.

Where you ScienTomogists keep coming-up with this "5000" number, I don't know.

sarnali2 · 10-24-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

The planet "Dirt" or "Urth" or whatever, is about 4.5 Billion-years old, so Science tells us.

Where you ScienTomogists keep coming-up with this "5000" number, I don't know.

It's in the Wholey Bable, right next to the picture of Jesus riding a dinosaur

pushrod · 10-24-2011, 12:59 PM

You test the exhaust coming out of an air-cooled carbureted bike, running at idle, I'm surprised the meter didn't catch fire!

And Ken, I think the baby did that to Kari (or however you spell it).

schizuki · 10-24-2011, 01:58 PM

Don't worry, more pollution controls on motorcycles are on the way. Bikes will be heavier, more expensive, and costlier to maintain, but we can all feel really good about it.

Oh, and a bullet will kill you as sure as drowning will, but that doesn't make it a "pollutant". Definitions matter.

10-24-2011, 09:23 AM	#1
The Spaceman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,396	Motorcycle Pollution Worse Than Cars? The kid likes to watch "Myth Busters," which I like because they use at least somewhat scientific methodology to test various "myths." And Kari has an *en rm us* rack...she got a bolt-on set about 2 years ago...wait, back on topic. Last night we watched a show that compared the pollution from 3 cars to 3 bikes, one each from the '80's, '90's, and '00's. They put realtime monitors on each vehicle, and then ran them on a street and highway course. The bikes came in much lower in the CO2 department; according to the show that's a reflection of the better gas mileage. However, each bike was MUCH higher in all other pollutants, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitric oxide emissions. In one case, the bike put out 3000X more pollution than the comparable car! Observation shows that a bike uses gasoline the same way a car does. It mixes it with air, compresses it, and burns it. What could be so different between their engines that could account for this huge difference? Any experts out there who can debunk this "busted myth" that bikes are "greener" than cars? __________________ *"Adidas has officially unveiled the Adidas Bystander, the first shoe designed for running away from a mass public shooting."*

10-24-2011, 09:59 AM	#3
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,648	Cars have way more pollution contols on them, I would think an unmolested modern bike with a Cat and closed loop EFI would be pretty close though __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "Denser alloy. My Father gave it to me, I think he wants me to kill you"... CVF-FCV

10-24-2011, 12:59 PM	#9
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,635	You test the exhaust coming out of an air-cooled carbureted bike, running at idle, I'm surprised the meter didn't catch fire! And Ken, I think the baby did that to Kari (or however you spell it). __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

10-24-2011, 01:58 PM	#10
schizuki Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Just hangin' in Milan with Clara Posts: 5,004	Don't worry, more pollution controls on motorcycles are on the way. Bikes will be heavier, more expensive, and costlier to maintain, but we can all feel really good about it. Oh, and a bullet will kill you as sure as drowning will, but that doesn't make it a "pollutant". Definitions matter. __________________ *Reverēre meam auctōritātem* "The armed resistance and the armed struggle are the path and the strategic choice for liberating the Palestinian land, from the Mediterranean sea to the Jordan river, and for the expulsion of the invaders and usurpers [Israel]... We won't relinquish one inch of the land of Palestine." - Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, December 14th, 2011.

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement

10-24-2011, 09:48 AM	#2
Buzglyd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 10,862	Cars have much more room for pollution stuff on em. If you want your bike to weigh 700 lbs we can clean it up for you. On balance, bikes are such an insignificant amount of total vehicles on the road, even they were made illegal, there would be no difference in total pollution. C02 isn't a pollutant Kenneth.