Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)

Table 4-33: Federal Exhaust Emissions Standards for Newly Manufactured Motorcyclesa (g/km)b

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Pollutant Engine displacement Emissions prior to controlsc 1978-79 1980-89 1990-96 1997+
Gasoline-powered             
HC 50-169 cc 1.0-13.8 5 5 5 5
HC 170-749 cc 1.0-13.8 5 + 0.0155(D-170)d 5.0 5.0 5.0
HC 750 cc and greater 1.0-13.8 14 5.0 5.0 5.0
CO 50 cc and greater 11.0-31.0 17 12 12 12
Methanol-powered            
Total HC equivalent 50 cc and greater       5.0 5.0
CO 50 cc and greater       12 12
Natural gas and LPG-powered            
HC 50 cc and greater         5.0
CO 50 cc and greater         12
Useful life (Class I) 50-169 cc   5 years or 12,000 km (7,456 mi), whichever comes first 5 years or 12,000 km (7,456 mi), whichever comes first 5 years or 12,000 km (7,456 mi), whichever comes first 5 years or 12,000 km (7,456 mi), whichever comes first
Useful life (Class II) 170-279 cc   5 years or 18,000 km (11,185 mi), whichever comes first 5 years or 18,000 km (11,185 mi), whichever comes first 5 years or 18,000 km (11,185 mi), whichever comes first 5 years or 18,000 km (11,185 mi), whichever comes first
Useful life (Class III) 280 cc and greater   5 years or 30,000 km (18,641 mi), whichever comes first 5 years or 30,000 km (18,641 mi), whichever comes first 5 years or 30,000 km (18,641 mi), whichever comes first 5 years or 30,000 km (18,641 mi), whichever comes first

KEY: cc = cubic centimeters; D = engine displacement; g = gram; HC = hydrocarbon; h = hour; kg = kilogram; km = kilometer; lb = pound; LPG = liquefied petroleum gas; mi = miles; mph = miles per hour.

a A motorcycle is any motor vehicle with a headlight, taillight, and stoplight, and having two or three wheels and a curb mass less than or equal to 793 kg (1,749 lb). (The limit was 680 kg, or 1,499 lb prior to the 1998 model year.) A motorcycle is excluded from the standards if it has a displacement of less than 50 cc (3.1 cubic inches) or if with a 80 kg (176 lb) driver it cannot start from a dead stop using only the engine or exceed a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) on a level, paved surface.

b Readers who wish to compare motorcycle regulations with passenger car and truck regulations should note that 5.0 g/km = 8.0 g/mi and 12 g/km = 19 g/mi. The formula for 1978-79 HC emissions by motorcycles 170-749 cc becomes, in g/mi., approximately 8.0 + 0.025(D-170).

c Estimates of emissions rates prior to controls are ranges of emissions for all engine displacements. Not available for motorcycles powered by fuels other than gasoline.

d D = engine displacement in cubic centimeters (cc). For example, the standard for a 300 cc engine would be 5.0 + 0.0155(300-170) = 7.0 g/km.

SOURCE:

40 CFR 86 Subpart E (July 1, 2000). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation, personal communication, Aug. 28, 2001.

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