Interesting article on the new European motorbike rules

[nobleswood]

Got this from a friend in England,

http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2012/2015/august/interpreting-the-new-motorbike-legislation---what-does-it-mean-for-you/#.VhP2fHUViko

Interesting article clarifying whats about to hit the bike industry & how it will affect European bikers. How it will affect the US market, I'm not sure as we don't get all the same models. Will there be a bunch of bikes shipped here that can't be sold in the Eurozone?

[Kev m]

Got this from a friend in England,

http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2012/2015/august/interpreting-the-new-motorbike-legislation---what-does-it-mean-for-you/#.VhP2fHUViko

Interesting article clarifying whats about to hit the bike industry & how it will affect European bikers. How it will affect the US market, I'm not sure as we don't get all the same models. Will there be a bunch of bikes shipped here that can't be sold in the Eurozone?

THAT'S GREAT - thanks!

First thing I noticed - EVAP systems are coming to the EU!

Also interesting that ODB I diagnostics is required and they will go to OBD II by 2020 (EU 5).

[Oldrat]

Thanks for posting.  Useful insight.

[pauldaytona]

What they forgot, the sound level is lower too.

I have been reading into the documents some time ago, all are public at the Eu website. In a lot of languages:-)

If you see that in  a bit more then a year all should be euro 4, nearly all existing bikes need replacement or at least a lot of work.
Thats an huge effort. Think about all new euro 3 bikes, ducati scrambler is euro 3. The Multistrada is euro 4. But we will see.

Maybe they ask VW?
 

[Kev m]

Paul, do you think companies like Ducati would have been foolish enough to come out with the Scrambler as EU III if they didn't already have a plan that would meet EU IV? Maybe it's just adding an EVAP canister to EU models and changing the mapping slightly or installing a cat (or different cat)?

[pikipiki]

Thought the V7II and Audace were already euro 4 compliant. The changes seem progressive and sensible.
A2 licence laws already in place in Europe probably have more effect on bikes available in US, eg why when Guzzi revised the 750 engine did they not go for another 10bhp? but the A2 class replaced the really stupid annoying 33bhp 400cc class so for many in Europe it was probably a good thing.

With mention of VW in the US you may be heading for locked down Ecu maps.
Now it seems if that does not happen VW owners will be re mapping old Ecu maps to pass smog test. That may get clamped down on with big implications for after market mods for cars or bikes

[not-fishing]

I wonder if with the EU IV new emission requirement California will have the less restrictive regulations.

California

(2) for Model Year 2004 and subsequent motorcycle engines and motorcycles with engine displacement of 280cc or greater, no individual engine family exhaust emission standard shall exceed 2.5 g/km HC+NOx

Vs EU IV

The rules vary depending on performance, but for most full-size bikes carbon monoxide emissions, currently limited to 2.0g/km (grams per kilometre), drop to a maximum of 1.14g/km, while hydrocarbon limits drop from 0.3g/km to 0.17g/km and NOx falls from 0.15g/km to 0.09g/km. What’s more, the Euro 4 also introduces a durability test, so manufacturers need to prove that their engines can still meet the limits after 20,000km of use.

But then the WildGuzzi probably already knew that and I'm just late to the party.   

[pauldaytona]

I wonder if with the EU IV new emission requirement California will have the less restrictive regulations.

California
Vs EU IV
But then the WildGuzzi probably already knew that and I'm just late to the party.   

 Question is, are they measured the same way, to be comparable?

But I suppose euro 3 bikes can come in cali with only the evap things added?

[segesta]

Maybe it's because I live in Chicago, but when I read about regulations like this, I always wonder whose crony is getting rich from it, and/or whose competitor is getting ruined by it.

[nobleswood]

So a question for the more intelligent engineers among you: is this the beginning of the end for air cooled motors ? Or is that they can still exist but with all the restrictions to meet emissions requirements that they will only ever reach a set level of performance ?

Does this mean that the only way forward for Guzzi is to go the way of Ducati & adapt our beloved twin to water cooling ?

As an aside, I wonder about the prehistoric HD's. Will the company just abandon the European market. Or can their motor meet the requirements ?

[Kev m]

 It's not a simple yes and no answer.

But all emissions standards have been the start of the end for air-cooled motors.

To some extent if manufacturers limit hp they can often do better on the standards with existing air-cooled motors, that combined with better ignition and injection strategies, as well as components like cat-cons means they can go deeper into the new standards.

But eventually they'll reach a breaking point, and I think they are getting close.

That's why we've seen the water-cooled heads from BMW and Harley. They may get both companies to the next level or maybe even two, only their engineers can say.

As an aside, I don't know why you would call a Harley prehistoric, they are no forever behind Guzzi in any real technology being used.