250s with a Catalytic Converter?

[Forsooth]

Hey guys, first post.

I'm going to be buying my first bike soon and a big part of deciding to make the switch to bikes was environmental. I was a little disheartened to discover that most older bikes, while not emitting much CO2, emit a tonne of [Edit: Nitrogen Oxide] which contributes to local air pollution and associated health problems.

The exception to this is bikes with a catalytic converter, but i've had trouble finding 250cc bikes that have one. Price isn't a big issue for the right bike and I'd be happy to stick with a 250 for a couple of years if its environmentally friendly.

Cheers guys.

[Desmo]

emit a tonne of Nitrous Oxide

Do you mean carbon monoxide?

[Forsooth]

Uhh, Nitrogen Oxide haha.

[Desmo]

Nitrogen oxide is not a byproduct of internal combustion as far as I am aware?

[falcon]

International Platinum Group Metals Association

[darkfibre]

Nitrogen oxide is not a byproduct of internal combustion as far as I am aware?

NOx
Highest on a lean cruise.

This is what EGR valves are used for.

2 way cat converter (CO and HC) with egr valve
or
3 way cat converter (CO, HC and NOx)

Years ago when teaching mechanics about EFI I would have called it oxides of nitrogen though.

[Desmo]

I stand corrected.

[Dirty]

its not a by product, but is a result of high combustion temps. As the air you are drawing in is mostly nitrogen.

[dirt_infected]

A secondhand bike without cat will be more environmentally friendly than a new one with, as the raw materials, refining and fabrication GHG emissions required to build your new bike would far outweigh any benefit to having the cat.

Not sure if you're looking at secondhand or new, but something to think about.

[Forsooth]

A secondhand bike without cat will be more environmentally friendly than a new one with, as the raw materials, refining and fabrication GHG emissions required to build your new bike would far outweigh any benefit to having the cat.

Not sure if you're looking at secondhand or new, but something to think about.

Fair point actually, though at least production emissions are a flat cost whereas riding an old bike scales over time.

From what I can tell (had to dig pretty deep to find this stuff), the major changes in standards were in 2006 and 2010. In the EU, Motorcycles are still a few "cycles" behind cars (they comply with the Euro III standard, vs. Euro V for cars) which means that their CO and NOx output is higher but nowhere near the degree of an old bike.

What I can't seem to find out is how this stuff applies to Australia (if at all). Apparently the Honda VTR250 has a three-way catalytic converter which is good news, but I haven't found any other info yet and I'm still not sure what that means for its actual emissions.

[AliastheJester]

CBR250R | Supersports | Honda Motorcycles Australia is another option

[out_in_front]

FWIW While they are a positive thing there are some things you should consider esp when buying a second hand bike
- catlytic convertor will mean the engine runs less efficiently due to slightly restricted exhaust I.e more fuel per kilometer
- 5-10kg of weight to the bike also increasing fuel consumption
- They need replacing after 'xxxxxx' amount of kilometers - how many bikes actually get his done?
- if not replaced they increase exhaust restriction further
- is it really going to make any significant difference? you are already switching from a car to a bike - I typically use 1/3rd of the fuel due to that fact alone
- Also take into account manufacturing a new bike compared to re-cycling an existing bike
- Take into account the processes used to make catalytic ocnvertors, esp rare-metal refining etc

If you want to spend an extra couple of thousand just to remove a very small amount of particulate from your exhaust - go for it, or if you want too add a cat to a bike get it re-tuned etc for it (again I would guess a couple of grand cost). Truth is it makes SFA difference compared to a a truck / car / factory / gen set etc

If you are super keen to save the environment - why not get one of these?
Zero S || ZERO MOTORCYCLES
(they do cost 12k - not sure if you can ride them on a 250 license though)

[Dirty]

the amount of pollution produced in production, can be more than a vehicle produces in decades.
Especially if it has a lot of plastics, electronics etc.

[lit]

Buy a pushbike or a scooter and GTFO.

[darkfibre]

the amount of pollution produced in production, can be more than a vehicle produces in decades.
Especially if it has a lot of plastics, electronics etc.

That almost sounds like the urban legend about solar panels requiring more energy to produce than they can ever supply back.

Electric bike as an option?

[RyanRicho]

That almost sounds like the urban legend about solar panels requiring more energy to produce than they can ever supply back.

Electric bike as an option?

The same applies with cars, a corrola compared to a prius. You have to drive them both for at least 180,000Ks (may be slightly off, but that is what i remember) for the prius to become more efficiant. ie, this is where the extra polution due to the petrol used equals the extra polution required to produce the prius. Big argument as to whether the prius or corrola is better for the environment. same applies for bikes, buying new vs buying an old bike. And also what extra materials and energy is used in order to build the catalytic converter? and how many k's would you have to travel to make it worthwile

[buelllord]

[QUOTE
What I can't seem to find out is how this stuff applies to Australia (if at all). Apparently the Honda VTR250 has a three-way catalytic converter which is good news, but I haven't found any other info yet and I'm still not sure what that means for its actual emissions.[/QUOTE]


The rest of us are trying our hardest to get rid of the things ...................


buelllord

[killswitch54923]

I'm getting rid of my CAT and replacing it with a full race system.....

[pley3r]

Tu250x | 2011 | Sport Sport Touring | Road | Suzuki Motorcycles, Motorbikes & ATVs Australia
These have one....

[darkfibre]

a corrola compared to a prius.

don't compare the two. A corrola is quite efficient (for a car), but a Prius is a dogs breakfast combining 2 technologies with the benefits of none.