Stickin it to the man!

[Navy_Grape]

Have been riding as much as possible to work for the passed two weeks. So far I have put 700 miles on the bike since I got it last month. It is getting 50 MPG! WOOO HOOOO, it's fun, economical and my of stickin it to the man! With gas prices going up and up and up...... I am seeing a lot more bikes on the road too.

Any hoot, just wanted to share that!

Have a great weekend, ya'll!

[Nate]

Kevin Cameron of Cycle World responds to an LA Times piece raining on our parade with regard to emissions. Still, I think we are doing the environment a service overall by riding our bikes instead of a larger vehicle.

[mdqueenz]

Originally Posted by Nate

Kevin Cameron of Cycle World responds to an LA Times piece raining on our parade with regard to emissions. Still, I think we are doing the environment a service overall by riding our bikes instead of a larger vehicle.

Yeah unfortunately according to an article in Wired, it seems that a motorcycle produces on average 10 times more pollution than an SUV.

So although it's cheaper on our wallet, its costlier to the environment overall.

Motorcycles Pollute More Than SUVs | Autopia from Wired.com

[Guitar7272]

Originally Posted by mdqueenz

Yeah unfortunately according to an article in Wired, it seems that a motorcycle produces on average 10 times more pollution than an SUV.

So although it's cheaper on our wallet, its costlier to the environment overall.

Motorcycles Pollute More Than SUVs | Autopia from Wired.com

People are more worried about the impact to their wallets than the environment right now. That article makes no mention of the environmental impact of drilling for, shipping and processing the extra fuel that is saved by riding a motorcyce, just straight emissions. I wonder what the net carbon output is.

[A2rider]

I saved enough by riding the bike that I'm going for a good, long ride this weekend.

[ecave]

Originally Posted by Navy_Grape

Have been riding as much as possible to work for the passed two weeks. So far I have put 700 miles on the bike since I got it last month. It is getting 50 MPG! WOOO HOOOO, it's fun, economical and my of stickin it to the man! With gas prices going up and up and up...... I am seeing a lot more bikes on the road too.

Any hoot, just wanted to share that!

Have a great weekend, ya'll!

+1....
The last few times I checked, I am getting between 53 - 57 MPG on my 800.

[sbg8r]

lets not talk about emisissions from airforce one and any other foriegn officalals burn when they do there summits....

[Ruger]

Originally Posted by sbg8r

lets not talk about emisissions from airforce one and any other foriegn officalals burn when they do there summits....

None of these articles actually showed the science behind what they claim. I have my doubts about their methodology. As the old saying goes "figures don't lie, but liers figure".

I am also less worried about the emissions from officials, and more worried about emissions from private jets and vehicles of those screaming the loudest about "man made global warming".

[trustno1]

i wish i could find the article i read this in....

This article documented natural phenomena which produce green house gases in large amounts. One such example is Lake Nyos in Africa which in 1986, released 1 cubic km of CO2 (thats a hell of a lotta green house gas), killing 1700 people. It continues to release CO2 to this day. Let us not forget that all volcanic and magmatic events, above and below sea level release an incredible amount of green house gas. I dont remember exact figures, but i remember them stating that we are but a small figure in the carbon signature of the world.

I will find the article one day!

[soc_monki]

not to mention all the people and animals on this planet expel CO2 when they exhale, correct?

i dont know if we pollute more...but we use less fuel than most all cars. if they dont do the math and back it up then you really cant believe much that they say. statistics can also be manipulated to say anything you want them to at times. i just dont trust most media...they all have agendas and theyll use whatever they can to get their point across and make it seem like the end all be all.

[sheulett]

It doesn't appear that the article distinguishes older bikes from newer ones. My understanding is that older bikes were much dirtier, but newer ones are much cleaner. Part of that is regulation, as both Europe and the EPA have been steadily increasing standards for motorcycle emissions over the past few years. I remember reading an article in a motorcycle mag (don't remember which one right now) that pointed to a reversal of the trend toward progressively lighter super bikes, and indicated that the increase in weight could be almost entirely accounted for by the extra weight of catalyzers that are now required. I know that my 2006 Vulcan 900 meets 2008 EPA standards that were more stringent than those in effect at the time that I bought the bike, and my Ducati Monster meets Euro 3 standards, which are always described as "more stringent". I'm not 100% sure what that means in terms of specific pollutants, but it does seem to indicate that any comparison of bikes and SUVs should take into account that bikes have recently gotten much cleaner.

I don't think it's a bad thing for bikes to emit less pollution, but I agree whole hardedly that it's only part of the equation. Using less gas is good for many reasons. But as has already been pointed out, bikes require far fewer resources to produce. Sure, I have a car too, but it's 11 years old and would have been replaced by now if I used it more than about once per week (having a 2nd bike is a little harder to justify, I admit, but that damn Monster is just TOO much fun!). In the long run,though, I can't see how they're not a net win for the environment.

Cheers!
Steve

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by sheulett

It doesn't appear that the article distinguishes older bikes from newer ones. My understanding is that older bikes were much dirtier, but newer ones are much cleaner. Part of that is regulation, as both Europe and the EPA have been steadily increasing standards for motorcycle emissions over the past few years.

Very true.

My brother-in-law's FJR has a full emissions control system on it to comply with modern standards.

My bike, despite it's age, is very clean, emissions-wise. The reason is, for the last few decades, CT has mirrored the California emissions standards, which, for a long time, were much more strict. I actually have an emissions control system on my bike.

[Ruger]

Originally Posted by soc_monki

not to mention all the people and animals on this planet expel CO2 when they exhale, correct?

i dont know if we pollute more...but we use less fuel than most all cars. if they dont do the math and back it up then you really cant believe much that they say. statistics can also be manipulated to say anything you want them to at times. i just dont trust most media...they all have agendas and theyll use whatever they can to get their point across and make it seem like the end all be all.

Yep, anything that "respires" (i.e. any living, breathing thing which includes PLANTS)gives off CO2. Yes plants give off oxygen, they also give off CO2 and huge amounts of hydrocarbons. It was calculated that when Mt. Pinatubo blew back in the 90s it put more fluorocarbons into the atmosphere in one eruption than man had put there in our total time on earth, yet the "ozone hole" didn't do anything different than normal. You must be very careful reading any "scientific" study now days, because everyone seems to have an agenda, and that is the almighty research dollar!

[trustno1]

I stumbled upon an article claiming that the uk filed a suit against al gore because scientists supposedly fabricated evidence to support his claim for global warming. if that was true then it means thousands are riled up about a fallacy

[Ruger]

Originally Posted by trustno1

I stumbled upon an article claiming that the uk filed a suit against al gore because scientists supposedly fabricated evidence to support his claim for global warming. if that was true then it means thousands are riled up about a fallacy

JunkScience.com -- Steven Milloy, Publisher

[Tod]

Wonder if they'll take away his medal?

[bennice]

Originally Posted by Ruger

Yep, anything that "respires" (i.e. any living, breathing thing which includes PLANTS)gives off CO2. Yes plants give off oxygen, they also give off CO2 and huge amounts of hydrocarbons. It was calculated that when Mt. Pinatubo blew back in the 90s it put more fluorocarbons into the atmosphere in one eruption than man had put there in our total time on earth, yet the "ozone hole" didn't do anything different than normal. You must be very careful reading any "scientific" study now days, because everyone seems to have an agenda, and that is the almighty research dollar!

+1

For a sufficient fee, I'll conduct extensive research that for once and for all will prove that C-A-T really spells dog, and that the earth really is flat. And someone will actually believe me.

[spitfire9]

Originally Posted by Ruger

Yep, anything that "respires" (i.e. any living, breathing thing which includes PLANTS)gives off CO2. Yes plants give off oxygen, they also give off CO2 and huge amounts of hydrocarbons. It was calculated that when Mt. Pinatubo blew back in the 90s it put more fluorocarbons into the atmosphere in one eruption than man had put there in our total time on earth, yet the "ozone hole" didn't do anything different than normal. You must be very careful reading any "scientific" study now days, because everyone seems to have an agenda, and that is the almighty research dollar!

It also cooled the Earth measurably for like 2-3 years.
That's one of my favorite arguments against this socialist money and power-grab commonly called "man-made global warming."
It is elitist to think that we are controlling the atmosphere with our activities. The Sun itself could have a minor hiccup, and poof- Ice age to end all ice ages or Hell on Earth.
Someday I'll say what I really think, lol.

ANyway, keep sticking it to the man, Navy_grape! Ride on!

[Nate]

And solar scientists are getting a bit concerned as they expected more Cycle 24 sunspots by this time and they are slow to appear or nearly non-existent. I have a browser plugin that shows me solar flux, planetary A and K index values, and sunspot number. The lowest the solar flux can go seems to be 64 and it's bouncing between that and 67 for the past month to six weeks and the sunspot count has been pretty much ZERO. Some fear that should this continue it could lead to a mini ice age or at least a significant cooling.

The sun, in control of Earth's climate. Who'da guessed that one?

[soc_monki]

Originally Posted by Nate

And solar scientists are getting a bit concerned as they expected more Cycle 24 sunspots by this time and they are slow to appear or nearly non-existent. I have a browser plugin that shows me solar flux, planetary A and K index values, and sunspot number. The lowest the solar flux can go seems to be 64 and it's bouncing between that and 67 for the past month to six weeks and the sunspot count has been pretty much ZERO. Some fear that should this continue it could lead to a mini ice age or at least a significant cooling.

The sun, in control of Earth's climate. Who'da guessed that one?

im all for some cooling...this mississippi heat and humidity is a KILLER! 10 degree drop would be LOVELY!

go Sun! LOL