Modern Buddy

does anyone know how clean the exhaust is on the 125cc buddy? I assume that since it's fuel efficent and a 4storke that it is clean. Of course I have noticed that in my garage when I am warming up the engine or getting home at night, the exhaust is much more noticeable than my car. Is there any truth to that? or am I just closer to the exhaust on the scooter?

Your late model car will put out cleaner emissions than the scooter.

From Brett Ratner with Genuine last summer when I was still shopping for a scooter and deciding whether I wanted a 50 or a 125:

"I do not have exact emissions figures on these scooters (hydrocarbons in parts per million and such).

I know that both have exceeded California emissions requirements which are among the most strict in the world. Both of these scooters will have dramtically lower emissions than a car. My guess is that the 125 will be slightly lower (it is a four stroke engine) but we're REALLY splitting hairs here."

In some measures, the Buddy (and all four stroke scoots) come out ahead of cars. Carbon dioxide emissions, for example, are determined almost entirely by the amount of fuel burned. Most other smog forming pollutants are permitted in higher quantities on motorcycles (and scooters consequently) than are permitted in cars. A brand new LEV Honda is going to offer lower emissions than any scooter, with the possible exception of carbon dioxide.

Why is this? Well, it's not just what you burn for fuel or even how much of it you burn. It also comes down to how precisely it's combusted and what you do to treat the exhaust that comes out. Automakers have resorted to sophisticated engine management systems (fuel injection, etc.) to get power and reduce emissions. They also employ several methods of cleaning things up between the engine and the end of the tailpipe.

However, if you want to look at cradle to grave energy usage, the Buddy should come out ahead. It requires less energy to produce and transport, and should be (at least in theory) more recyclable at the end of its life due to having so few systems and components. It also has a lighter footprint on the road. So you are doing your part to reduce traffic congestion and impact to the road surface itself.

thanks for all the great info.