Cali motorcycle smog tests ...looks like they are really trying to do this

[hbliam]

If your vehicle doesn't have proper equipment (lights, etc) it's handled by LEO on the road.  I know there is some kind of inspection the DMV does, or is it the CHP, but never had experience with it.

Cop gives you a "fix it" ticket. Thre is a spot on the back that you have to get signed off. We can put a sticker over that and require you to go to a State inspection station. They go over the vehicle with a fine toothed comb. That's generally used for guys and their highly modified street racing cars but could be used for anyone.

[Kerry Blue]

If its money they want I'd rather pay a stupid carbon tax then have  some none bike person, run my bike through a dynometer. Right now when i have to take my truck in to be tested, i usually get some idiot that cant even drive a stick.

[NAKID]

They run it at two speeds, but I'm not sure what the speeds are exactly.  Station sends off electronic notice that you passed and then you send in your registration payment (altho some stations let you pay registration there).

The speeds are 15mph and 25mph.

Don't forget that the Smog Only stations also have a camera to see if the car being tested matches the car being entered into the system. The DMV can access it at any time...

[Grug]

And we wonder why global warming keeps on getting worse... 

[silentbob]

And we wonder why global warming keeps on getting worse... 

Ok Mr. Gore.

[corey]

we don't have regularly scheduled "inspection" like other states, if that's what you're referring to.

When your registration comes, it includes a notice to get your emissions checked.  You go to a certified testing station, they do a visual to make sure everything complies with CARB, check that your gas cap seals properly, make sure you have no warning lights on your dash, then run the car on a dynometer while measuring exhaust gases.  They run it at two speeds, but I'm not sure what the speeds are exactly.  Station sends off electronic notice that you passed and then you send in your registration payment (altho some stations let you pay registration there).

If your vehicle doesn't have proper equipment (lights, etc) it's handled by LEO on the road.  I know there is some kind of inspection the DMV does, or is it the CHP, but never had experience with it.

Interesting. Thanks for the explanation, never quite knew how that stuff worked in CA.
We have to pass a State SAFETY inspection once a year. They go over brakes, indicators (which aren't required.. sorta... if you have fronts you must have rears... or you can have none at all), suspension, and make sure the bike is safe. This also includes a rear fender and license plate light inspection.... FAIL.
CARS also have to go through an emissions inspections, unless they are a registered classic or vintage auto, or are driven less than 5000 miles per year... then you can get an EXEMPT sticker..

[il d00d]

i think a 600cc (meeting euro2 or something) puts out about as much co2 as a normal car.

See the top of page four here for more data, but to give you an idea

Hydrocarbon Emissions (grams per mile)
2002 Ford Expedition 4WD : 0.15

2002 YZF R6 : **4.19**
2002 BMW R1200C : 0.97
2002 Honda VTX1800C : 0.48


Some additional reading "...the surprising level of emissions spewing from on-road motorcycles and scooters. In California, such bikes make up 3.6% of registered vehicles and 1% of vehicle miles traveled, yet they account for 10% of passenger vehicles' smog-forming emissions in the state."

[il d00d]

Known fact? Please back those facts up with sources, I'd be curious to see the actual numbers, and yes I"m sceptical of your claim.

Sounded a bit high to me too, so I scoured the internet for the first hit on Google. 
Surprising stuff
"Confidential data from maritime industry insiders based on engine size and the quality of fuel typically used by ships and cars shows that just 15 of the world's biggest ships may now emit as much pollution as all the world's 760m cars"

[Greg]

Sounded a bit high to me too, so I scoured the internet for the first hit on Google. 
Surprising stuff
"Confidential data from maritime industry insiders based on engine size and the quality of fuel typically used by ships and cars shows that just 15 of the world's biggest ships may now emit as much pollution as all the world's 760m cars"

A container ship's main engine consumes about 600,000 pounds of fuel per day. Assuming that it is using Bunker fuel with 3% sulfur that means it is releasing about 18,000 pounds of sulfur a day.

LA county has roughly 26 million vehicles, and if we assume the following,
Average mileage per year at 15,000
Average mpg at 18 mpg
Average sulphur per gallon at 40ppm,
We get roughly 25,000 pounds of Sulfur emitted per day

Now granted that is fairly close, until we figure in the fact that the container ship does NOT use it's main engine while docked. During that time they use the generators which have to run on much cleaner "California Spec" Marine diesel, which is orders of magnitude cleaner than Bunker Fuel.

[silentbob]

[MAXdB]

See the top of page four here for more data, but to give you an idea

Hydrocarbon Emissions (grams per mile)
2002 Ford Expedition 4WD : 0.15

2002 YZF R6 : **4.19**
2002 BMW R1200C : 0.97
2002 Honda VTX1800C : 0.48


Some additional reading "...the surprising level of emissions spewing from on-road motorcycles and scooters. In California, such bikes make up 3.6% of registered vehicles and 1% of vehicle miles traveled, yet they account for 10% of passenger vehicles' smog-forming emissions in the state."

Yeah, but this doesnt take into consideration things like the huge increase in the emission when the Ford Expedition is sitting in rush hour traffic with the rest of California-- this not only increases the emissions /min but also the length of time emitting the emissions. ---> http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/business/idling.cfm?attr=16

Although the emission rate for the average bike is higher than a car, the travel time (due to the ability to filter traffic) for motorcycles are only a fraction of cars in metropolitan areas. This and the much lower miles/yr of motorycycles compared to cars should really compensate for the larger emissions.... plus riding is just more fun. [moto]

[S4ROB]

And we wonder why global warming keeps on getting worse... 

I wonder how much this helps to keep things warm for a longer rideing season.

Just an awesome live cam picture I wanted to post of Redoubt volcano



More about it here     http://www.avo.alaska.edu/webcam/Redoubt_-_DFR.php

[bluemoco]

Silentbob - what is the source for your emissions data table?  I'd like to look at that.

I still maintain that this bill is a method to address motorcycle noise emissions, rather than greenhouse gas emissions.    

[il d00d]

Although the emission rate for the average bike is higher than a car, the travel time (due to the ability to filter traffic) for motorcycles are only a fraction of cars in metropolitan areas. This and the much lower miles/yr of motorycycles compared to cars should really compensate for the larger emissions.... plus riding is just more fun. [moto]

From my reading they did factor in miles per year.  And, I think you are saying that they took the ratio of pollution per mile to calculate the total emissions - I am not sure if that is true or not.  For a fair comparison, we'd have to calculate a car's emissions at idle vs a motorcycle in motion.   Even that tilt in the bike's favor would mean the car would have to be extraordinarily more dirty while at idle (greater than ten times less efficient and more polluting) for the bike and the car to even tie.

Riding is definitely more fun    But we can't ignore the fact that while bikes are more fuel-efficient, they are pound-for-pound much bigger polluters.  Fuel efficiency is not whole picture.  We've enjoyed being a small and obscure niche of the motoring population, and have flown under the radar of the emissions regulators.  If riding becomes more popular, I will be disappointed if they start choking out horsepower with emissions stuff, but I won't be surprised.

[bluemoco]

Looks like CA won't be making smog tests mandatory for motos.  However, the law has been re-worded to authorize law enforcement officers to fine motorcyclists who remove smog equipment from their motorcycles.   

http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/Breaking+News/Senate-Rejects-Mandatory-Motorcycle-Smog-Tests/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/601278?ref=25