Emissions
Notice to
Customers in California
California regulates motorcycle aftermarket parts that have the
potential to impact emissions. In most cases, the sale and use of
emissions related aftermarket parts on motorcycles is prohibited unless
it is either a "replacement part" as defined by California, or is a
specifically authorized use of that part as reflected in an Executive
Order ("EO Part.")
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) regulates aftermarket parts
and has promulgated regulations that essentially place all emissions
related aftermarket parts into three categories:
1. Replacement Parts:
Replacement Parts are aftermarket parts that ARB considers to be
functionally equivalent to the stock part they are intended to replace,
and therefore would not impact the emissions from these vehicles. These
parts are appropriate for sale and use on motorcycles used on or off
the public highways. For aftermarket exhaust systems and parts, there
are two applicable scenarios:
a. If the motorcycle’s stock exhaust system does not contain a
catalytic converter, then an aftermarket exhaust part is a replacement
part as long as the part does not remove or replace any emission
control equipment originally attached to the stock exhaust system, such
as oxygen sensors.
b. If the motorcycle’s stock exhaust system contains a catalytic
converter in the manifold section of the stock exhaust system, then an
aftermarket muffler positioned downstream from the catalytic converter
(i.e. cat-back) is a replacement part as long as the part does not
remove or replace any emission control equipment originally attached to
the stock exhaust system.
2. Executive Order Parts:
Executive Order Parts are aftermarket parts that ARB has evaluated and
determined do not adversely impact emissions, and thereby are granted
an Executive Order (EO), which allows the part to be sold and used on
specified motorcycles. Any aftermarket exhaust system that replaces or
otherwise impacts emission control equipment, including catalytic
converters, requires an EO to be sold and used on a motorcycle used on
or off a public highway.
3. Competition Use Only Parts:
Competition Use Only Parts may not be sold or used on a motorcycle that
is used on or off the public highways other than those motorcycles used
exclusively for competition. Competition Use Only Parts are aftermarket
parts that replace or otherwise interfere with the operation of an
emission control device, such as a catalytic converter or oxygen
sensor, and may be sold and used on a motorcycle that is used only for
closed course competition.
4. Basically 2008 and later 2-1 exhausts that replace the Cat are not
for sale or resale in California.
