From a press release issued by the AMA:

EPA Extends Comment Period for Streetbike Emissions Rules

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has extended the comment deadline on the agency’s proposed emissions standards for street motorcycles, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

The comment deadline of Nov. 8 has been extended to Jan. 7, 2003.

Comments may be submitted by referring to Docket A-2000-02 and writing to: Margaret Borushko, U.S. EPA, National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory, 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; or by e-mail to [email protected].

To see the proposed emissions standards, go to the “Protecting Your Right to Ride” section of the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.

The EPA is about to implement revised national emissions standards for new road motorcycles that would require those bikes to meet strict emissions standards beginning with 2006 models. The federal standards would be the same as those adopted by the state of California, but would go into effect two years after California’s standards.

The first phase of the new national standards would go into effect in 2006 and the second phase would be in place for 2010.

The AMA has been involved in the rule-making process from the beginning, including testifying before EPA officials on Sept. 17.

The new standards are expected to result in an increased use of fuel injection and catalytic converters on new motorcycles. Some motorcycles sold in the United States already meet California’s strict 2008 standards, which are the same as the planned federal EPA 2010 standard.

The new California standard that begins with the 2004 model year, and the planned federal standard that would take effect for the 2006 model year, require new road-going motorcycles to emit no more than 1.4 grams per kilometer traveled of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide.

The California standard for 2008, that would also be the national standard beginning in 2010, sets a limit of 0.8 grams per kilometer of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide.

The current federal emissions standards for street motorcycles are 5.0 grams of hydrocarbons and 12 grams of carbon monoxide per kilometer traveled.

Concerning off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, the EPA announced in September new emissions standards that would be partially phased-in in 2006. Full compliance would be required by the manufacturers in 2007.

To see the new rules, go to the “Protecting Your Right to Ride” section of the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.