Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Euro 4 emissions laws have already hit most supersport models, many air-cooled bikes, single-cylinder adventurers and most Japanese cruisers and now more models either make significant updates or face the chop under Euro 5. The new laws come into effect for new models from 2020 and existing models from 2021. Already there is talk about …
If the Australian Greens had their way, we would all be riding electric motorcycles like the one above by 2030 and would foot the bill via government incentives. Their plan includes: Setting a target of 100% of new passenger vehicles being electric by 2030; Strong vehicle emissions standards; Removing import tariffs and other taxes such …
Tough European emissions laws threatened to axe several much-loved models last year, but it seems many have had a stay of execution. The Euro 4 rules introduced in 2016 were almost 50% tougher to pass. For example, Euro 3 required a motorcycle to pass an emissions test when new, or after 1000km. Under Euro 4 …
The upcoming 2019 BMW R 1250 Boxer models are expected to be quieter and more efficient to meet the tough Euro 5 regulations coming in 2020. BMW is expected to drop the noise levels from 92dB for the 1200s to 88dB for the 1250s. The Euro 5 noise requirements vary depending on power-to-weight ratios. According …
A brilliant Australian-designed two-stroke engine that meets tough emissions requirements and eliminates total-loss lubrication may fail for a lack of investment. The Crankcase Independent Two-Stroke (CITS) was invented by former South African motorsport engineer Basil van Rooyen, Director of CITS Engineering, St Ives, who says it would be ideal for motorcycles. Tough pollution laws have …
How many times have you had to defend motorcycling when a non-rider has attacked them as dangerous, noisy and smelly? They tell you to grow up or suggest you catch a bus or take up cycling instead. You feel like thumping them, but instead you defend your pastime by offering to take them for a …
Modern motorcycles are getting hotter and hotter which is not only an issue for rider comfort but also for reliability and performance. But there are things you can do to fix the problem. The reason modern motorcycles are getting hotter is the increasingly stringent emission rules. Most manufacturers are reaching emissions targets with water-cooled engines …
Honda has filed a patent for a V4 sports bike with an under-seat exhaust similar to those popular a couple of decades ago, signalling a possible return of the fashion. Racing bikes began using under-seat exhausts in the 1970s for a number of reasons: to cut drag, improve balance, place the outlet in the bike’s …
The ever-toughening emissions laws have many riders wondering when will air-cooled engines in brands such as Harley-Davidson come to a sad end. The good news, is it’s a long way off yet! That’s according to Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Product Portfolio director Peter Michael Keppler. Ironically, Peter was speaking to us at the launch of the liquid-cooled …
After Harley-Davidson was fined a total of $US15m last week by US authorities for selling aftermarket tuners that affect emissions levels, we can expect more fines. It seems the US Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency has simply targeted Harley first because it represents half of the US “heavy motorcycle” market and they want to …