Harley Davidson Emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes that motorcycles emit 16-21 times more hydrocarbons than automobiles. Harley Davidson emissions, as well as those of nearly every other bike sold in America, were among those studied. The difference is directly linked to the lack of an elaborate emissions control system on motorcycles.

In order to reduce motorcycle emissions the EPA has decided to adopt the California emission levels known as CARB. The standards are the strictest in the nation. One bright spot in the California law is that the burden of reducing the emissions is on the manufacturer of the engine, not the company that assembles the bike. Harley Davidson emission experts are pushing for the EPA to adopt this point of view as well. One of the biggest questions in the debate is why are motorcycles being focused on. They produce0.3% of all hydrocarbons released and less than 0.1% of all emissions in the country. The real concentration, considering todays fuel prices, should be the fuel economy of motorcycles as well as the fact that they produce a low percentage of todays pollution.

When thinking about lowering Harley Davidson emissions, or any other motorcycle company for that matter, is the cost. The EPA has overlooked the impact or implementation costs, and rider safety, on the future sales of motorcycles. Some companies have estimated that the costs would cause the price of the average motorcycle to jump 30% or more. Score another victory for big government and its regulations that cater to the tree-hugging minority.