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The motorcycle industry faces unique challenges
with the advent of more stringent emissions and as the market, apart
from the niche performance or touring products, is a very cost sensitive
market. Further the market requirements can differ very significantly
on a geographic basis.
In Europe, the EURO III emission constraints
are to be introduced in 2006/2007. The key marketing requirements
in Europe are performance and functionality, with the expectation
that the emission satisfy the requirements. Fuel economy is helpful,
but not a major consideration to the owner. The majority of the
European motorcycle fleet is 4-stroke, with 2-stroke retaining popularity
in the 50cc category where the power advantages of the 2-stroke
engine are significant compared to a 50cc 4-stroke engine, and in
the very high performance application such as motorcross.
Technologies introduced in recent years in
the European market include catalyst aftertreatment, direct injection
for 2-stroke, and Port Injection for 4-stroke. As the emissions
standards and infield conformity become more stringent it is anticipated
that there will be a general move to Engine Management Systems in
order to comply
In India and parts of SE Asia, fuel economy,
cost of operation and cost of purchase are most critical, with the
customer typically being prepared to trade off performance for fuel
economy. The majority of the motorcycles are 4-stoke, with 2-stroke
favoured for the auto-rickshaw and some of the more performance
orientated two wheeled products.
Direct injection is scheduled to be released
in 2005 in India for the 2-stroke Autorickshaws. Whilst most of
the Indian OEM's are assessing PFI for 4-stroke engines, there is
not an immediate push for widespread introduction of PFI as it does
not offer significant FE advantages over the lean calibrated carbureted
engine. There is a growing interest in DI for 4-stroke as DI can
offer a 10 to 15% FE advantage over the carbureted engine.
Given that the levels of technology currently
called for in the motorcycle application trail those developed and
productionised for the automotive industry, the application limitations
in both engine displacement, power to weight requirement and cost
precludes the automatic transfer of automotive technologies to the
typical motorcycle application as often specific simplification
and cost reduction will be required.
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