AutoblogGreen

Hey autoblog green. Do us a favor and go back to college for a few refresher classes in chemistry. A 50cc bike like the one you show above might use less gas and therefore produce less carbon dioxide but it burns a lot dirtier than catalyzed automobile exhaust and produces a lot more pollutants than autos.

We do NOT want a country with people adopting motorcycles like this en-masse. The pollution is too great from these crappy little bikes. I wholeheartedly encourage people to ride motorcycles but they should choose newer rides that also contain catalytic converters (like my Aprilia Scarabeo 500 did).

Shame on you for not thinking about the overall pollution level of various engines.

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From the EPA website. Note that emissions controls are being improved but this doesn't apply to motorcycles produced before 2006.

Press release from 2003 from the EPA:

"(12/23/03) - EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt today signed a final rule that establishes the first new emission standards for highway motorcycles in 25 years. Highway motorcycles currently produce more harmful exhaust emissions per mile than cars or even large sport utility vehicles. When the new rule is in full effect, it will reduce emissions of hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by about 54,000 tons a year and save approximately 12 million gallons of fuel annually by preventing it from escaping from fuel hoses and fuel tanks.

“These new rules significantly advance pollution standards for motorcycles,” said Leavitt. “Motorcycles, cars, SUVs, light- and heavy-duty trucks and off-road equipment will run cleaner than ever before, and America’s health and the environment will benefit.”

Starting in 2006, the standards will require manufacturers to reduce emissions of HC and oxides of nitrogen NOx by 60 percent. This will be accomplished through an increased use of proven technologies, such as secondary air injection, electronic fuel injection systems, and catalytic converters. The new standards will include previously unregulated small scooters and mopeds. EPA is also adopting standards, beginning in 2008, requiring the control of fuel loss (called “permeation”) through the fuel hoses and fuel tank.

HC and NOx are precursors to ground-level ozone, a serious air pollutant in cities across the United States. A key component of smog, ground-level ozone is formed by reactions involving hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight. Hydrocarbon emissions result from incomplete fuel combustion and from fuel evaporation. Ground-level ozone causes health problems such as difficulty breathing, lung damage, and reduced cardiovascular functioning. A number of hydrocarbons are also considered toxic, meaning they can cause cancer or other health problems."

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They are still in production:

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-c50lmy-little-cub-japan_model8276/partslist/
http://www.4-strokebikecentre.com/pic-newbikes/1027376366-gr.jpg

Johannes

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I managed to get my hands on a Honda Z50 for putting around town on. It's great, fits in the back of our 1981 Honda Civic, doesn't require much in the way of maintenance or fuel. Plus it's lots of fun. I've never seen a cub in person though.

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I live in Vietnam.
I have just bought a NEW chinese made scooter styled (copied) on the Honda Wave. This is the new 'Honda Cub' for many developing countries. My bike cost me $480 US (including tax etc...)
The bike uses about 3 Litres per 100km - not great but it is mainly stop start riding that I do in the city.
If more people travelled like this in developed countries you would save money, import less oil and hasten slowly the release of greenhouse gases.
I agree that catalytic converters are needed but surely this will not cost more than my entire bike ! You should only have to pay $1000 for the entire bike at most.
Unfortunately, in many western countries, the incentive to "GO GREEN' is negated by price gouging by the man.

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Uh, THAT thing did not a player Honda make...it may have established them, but it didn't sell in droves.

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The various styles of Cub 50/70/90/110 (and the trail motorcycles with the same type of engine) are the one thing that you should be able to buy at a local Honda dealer forever, world wide. They are awesome cool.

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I find it hard to believe that a modern EPA/CARB approved scooter can "produce more harmful exhaust emissions per mile than cars or even large sport utility vehicles." Especially THIS 50cc 4-stroke with catalytic converter from Honda.

I hope North Americans adopt these forms of transportation en-masse, if not to reduce oil consumption to at LEAST reduce the American concept of value being "Bigger is Better" or "More is Better". Americans would benefit in many ways by adopting a smaller footprint on the road (less resources to produce the vehicle, less weight and forward momentum to stop in a vehicle crash, roads gain capacity for more vehicles, we become less oil dependent).

Now, if Jeremy had posted a Boss Hoss up here you might have a bit of an argument.

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Don said at 6. "Uh, THAT thing did not a player Honda make...it may have established them, but it didn't sell in droves."


Are you out of your mind? It is the most sold vehicle OF ANY KIND in the world. Check your facts.

The Cub paid for Asimo, F1, and now the Honda JET.

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To the Aprilla owner. The Cubs in Japan are far cleaner running than your Aprilla ever will be. I think you are stuck on 2 strokes, my laddy.

The CatConverter you praise is actually a mobile superfund site in its construction and when it's time to dispose of it.

And btw, 500cc is NOT more fuel efficient than 50cc. Math was not your strong point, was it?

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All cars pollute at start up. till 02,and cats heat up better woork there first

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I have owned a Honda cub (C102) since 1965. I recently restored it and our automotive class which I teach did a gas millage test and it came in at 164.4 miles to the gallon. This would translate into a dramatic drop in green house gases if the US would promote small cycle use. Honda has not stood still with the design. In 2005 they passed the 50 Million units mark and have made another environmental leap in small motorcycle technology by fuel-injecting the Cub. This would drop carbon monoxide and Hydrocarbon levels dramatically but would do little with overall Nitrogen Oxide emissions. At this point it would be a stretch to think that the new Fuel-Injected Cub would produce more overall emissions than an SUV

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"A 50cc bike like the one you show above might use less gas and therefore produce less carbon dioxide but it burns a lot dirtier than catalyzed automobile exhaust and produces a lot more pollutants than autos."

That's idiotic. The average Honda cub gets 150 mpg. Try driving a Prius for 150 miles while collecting every single molecule that comes out of the exhaust and compare. There is no comparison, the scooter is much, much friendlier to the environment.

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