Texas Motorcycle Emissions Standard

[Clickjack]

I've been looking but not sure...  Anyone know what the Motorcycle Emissions Standard is for Texas?    Does the Full Termi kit violate meet these requirements?

[bryant8]

The Full Termi as with many of the other aftermarket exhausts are stamped with "Not for street use" or "For race only," so in not so many words, most anything not stock will violate the standard (CA) emissions.  IIRC coring stock pipes is a violation of some sort due to the "tampering" of emission control devices. But not many (if any) inspection places in Texas use an exhaust sniffer for motorcycles (due to cost of the equipment or lack of regulation)  Look at all the HDs running straight pipes, you don't hear of many (if any) getting hassles because their exhaust isn't street legal.

As always... YMMV and it just my $0.02

[NorDog]

I've been looking but not sure...  Anyone know what the Motorcycle Emissions Standard is for Texas?    Does the Full Termi kit violate meet these requirements?

Texas Emmissions Standards?  If I recall correctly, the only standard is, "Don't get any on ya!"

[muskrat]

will never be enforced if they do attempt to pass an emissions test for bikes.  much like the "loudness" factor they keep bickering about.  besides, if this does pass they will likely grandfather all existing bikes.  there is also a little known thing that the shops buy their equipment and with the state of the union as it is the revenues are down considerably to make "supplementing" this buy a reality.

[BarneePhife]

I've been looking but not sure...  Anyone know what the Motorcycle Emissions Standard is for Texas?    Does the Full Termi kit violate meet these requirements?

As far as I've ever experienced, emissions are never tested on personal/individual/private motorcycles in TX.  Your annual inspection ammounts to essentially a "safety" inspection.  No "sniffer" on the pipes.

As far as emissions standards/regulations/laws... Federal laws are generally more stringent that most state laws would be.  In fact, fenderal law is what motorcycle and auto manufacturers must adhere to when building/selling new vehicles in the U.S. (California is the exception, since they are even more stringent, as I'm sure some previous CA residents can attest to).  Under the EPA Clean Air Act of 1977, it is a federal viloation to tamper with (change, upgrade, etc) the exhaust system of a on-road motor vehicle.  So, the act of putting any aftermarket exhaust on any car or motorocycle is a violoation of federal emissions standards/regulations/law. 

"..as established under the Clean Air Act in 1977, motorcycle owners cannot legally make modifications that would cause the emissions to exceed the applicable standards, and they cannot remove or disable emission control devices installed by the manufacturer."
(source:  http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/roadbike/420f03046.pdf )

Another good document to read...  see section 7.1 "Consumer Modification, Maintenance and Tampering" on pages 114 through 118.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/roadbike/420r03016.pdf

Overall, here's a great place to start if you want to know more about EPA regulations governing Motorcycles.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/roadbike.htm

That said, of our 4 vehicles, only one has the factory exhaust still on it - and I haven't been thrown in the federal pen (yet).

Cars with modified exhaust are a little tricker here in TX.  The bottom line is, if the inspector (of a car/truck) wants to make it an issue, he can fail you on your annual inspection if he finds that your exhaust is not stock.  Some shops will do a visual inspection for catalytic converters (are they still there), and fail you if they're not.  The most common reason for emissions failure is the sniffer test.  Cars without an ODBII connector must undergo a sniffer test to verify emissions are within spec.  The exception to this is cars that are over 25 years of age - they fall outside the requirements and simply require a safety inspection (much like what they do for motorcycles).

Whew!  Did I log in as fastwin today? 

[calscrazy]

"..as established under the Clean Air Act in 1977, motorcycle owners cannot legally make modifications that would cause the emissions to exceed the applicable standards, and they cannot remove or disable emission control devices installed by the manufacturer."


i have removed cannister and modified my exhaust a little.
if i pass everyone passes!!! trust me!!!!!!