Environmental & Political Watch*We don't often hear about a company working to combat noise pollution. But exhaust manufacturer FMF is doing just that with the introduction of its Q exhaust systems for dirt bikes. Billed as "the world's first two-stroke off-road silencers and four-stroke off-road mufflers that combine strong performance while minimizing noise output," the Q systems were designed to meet California's 2003 96-dB noise limit. In addition, FMF is teaming up with the land-use advocate Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) to educate off-road riders about the new laws. Don Emler, FMF's owner and president, said, "[We are] very happy to support the BRC in this program. By offering a quiet performance exhaust system and joining forces with the BRC, we expect an awareness and willingness by the riding public that will only benefit us all to keep areas open for motorized recreational use." Or, as the BRC's Don Amador put it, "Less sound equals more ground."
*Ever wonder why your fuel economy is so different from the mileage figures quoted by the EPA? The lab's testing procedures haven't changed in decades, says the Chicago Tribune, which may lead to the agency overstating fuel economy figures. For example, the EPA's highway test cycle simulates 48 mph, though posted speed limits across the U.S. have risen to 65 or even 75 mph. On the other hand, the EPA's city test cycle simulates a constant 20 mph, which most gridlocked urban drivers these days would kill to reach. Plus, the EPA testing is done on a chassis dynamometer, not on real roads, so a computer is calculating variables like climate conditions and the tires' rolling resistance. The agency did institute correction factors for its numbers-10 percent for city driving, 22 for highway-but that was back in 1985.