Diesel Powered Motorcycles by 2017? The EPA Pushes For Greener Fuel in the Coming Years.
“I
can’t wait! Diesel bikes are going to be so cool. The loud knock of the
motor, the blue smoke out the tailpipe… I want mine with a kicker; only
a real man will be able to kick over a diesel.”
That’s what
one rider posted on a recent About.com article that explained the EPA’s
push for diesel-powered motorcycles by 2017. But another commenter
wrote, “As far as I’m concerned, Diesels stink, they’re noisy, sound
like a bucket of marbles…very utilitarian…not much fun or refinement.”
But
what do you think? The US Government has typically avoided any
legislative pushes related to the motorcycle industry, but the EPA is
currently lobbying to have 75% of all motorcycles run on clean diesel
fuel by 2017. In a recent statement to motorcycle manufacturers and the
Motorcycle Industry Council, the agency hinted, “An environmentally
friendly, diesel-powered, 100 mpg motorcycle alternative is coming
quicker than you think.” They argued that the pressure the American
automotive industry to run on cleaner fuels should be equally applied to
the motorcycle industry. Cars that have implemented clean diesel fuel
technology can now average up to 40 MPG highway speed.
The
manufacturers were less than pleased with the EPA push. They rejected
the idea, explaining that they are neither logistically nor financially
prepared to engineer that sort of change in terms of engine parts and
combustion technology. Ural, a Russian manufacturer was the only
exception. They expect to have a diesel powered bike by the end of this
year?
What do you think? Are you ready for diesel powered
bikes? Do you really believe that by 2017 75% of all bikes will be
diesel powered? Do you think that government and EPA intervention takes
the feeling of freedom away from riding? Or do you feel like riders
should share more environmentally responsibility? We want to hear what
you think on the Eagle Leather Facebook Page!
Yet, there’s no denying it: Unless you plan to ride exclusively around the Southern United States, you’ll face some chilly winters. And even before it...
