Phasing out the 2-smoker?!!

**inlinefour** · 6th October 2006, 12:49

After scoring a good original and road legal 2-smoker yesterday (RD250LC) I have been informed by three independant sources that in 2007 there will be a ban on registering any 2 stroke motorcycles in New Zealand. Also if your 2 smoker's rego lapses, your unlikely to get it back on the road. Just a friendly reminder to all here that this looks like it might be happening, although I can not find any official statement on the net (I must admit that I did not search for very long). So all of you that have a 2 smoker in the garage, shed or even in the house and want to make it road legal in the future. Might want to get it sorted sooner rather than later? I'm doing my bit for the environment, bugger these liberal tree hugging, possum kissing greenies...

**xwhatsit** · 6th October 2006, 12:59

I would say that if you'd already had it registered, or it had been produced before a certain date, you could re-register it if the registration lapsed, much like there are special exemptions on older bikes w.r.t. headlights and indicators etc.

It does seem a little bizarre though, that they'd ban 2-strokes... it seems odd to ban an actual engineering technology outright, even if it does produce a lot of emissions. One would think that with modern advances in technology there is still room to produce a relatively clean 2-stroke. Hell, what about all the lawnmowers/outboards etc out there? Why not ban rotaries while you're at it? No offense to you or your independant sources, but I'll be interested to see the official verdict if/when it comes out.

Very interesting.

**GR81** · 6th October 2006, 13:01

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

...Why not ban rotaries while you're at it?...

if only!

**WRT** · 6th October 2006, 13:01

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

Why not ban rotaries while you're at it?

Now your talking!

**WRT** · 6th October 2006, 13:01

Originally Posted by GR81

if only!

LOL - beat me by seconds!

**Str8 Jacket** · 6th October 2006, 13:05

WTF! If this is true how the hell am I gonna be able to sell my bike next year! I hope this isnt true!

**inlinefour** · 6th October 2006, 13:06

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

I would say that if you'd already had it registered, or it had been produced before a certain date, you could re-register it if the registration lapsed, much like there are special exemptions on older bikes w.r.t. headlights and indicators etc.

It does seem a little bizarre though, that they'd ban 2-strokes... it seems odd to ban an actual engineering technology outright, even if it does produce a lot of emissions. One would think that with modern advances in technology there is still room to produce a relatively clean 2-stroke. Hell, what about all the lawnmowers/outboards etc out there? Why not ban rotaries while you're at it? No offense to you or your independant sources, but I'll be interested to see the official verdict if/when it comes out.

Very interesting.

Yeah, I'd like to be able to see bikes not having their rego cancelled if not put on excemption. I don't think getting upset about it will help as their are and allways will be idiots passing idiotic laws in NZ. Yes I would also be interested in reading something official. One of the sources was a dealer, I suspect they'd be in the know eh. However I'll be happier than a pig in shit if I'm wrong...

**ManDownUnder** · 6th October 2006, 13:11

Does anyone have anything in writing to back this up?

Sounds bloody wierd to me.

**Str8 Jacket** · 6th October 2006, 13:13

Originally Posted by inlinefour

Yes I would also be interested in reading something official.

Same. Im not gonna stress about it till then. But if it were true it would also mean that Street Magics would have to be off the road if it were true, it all just doesnt seem quite right. *keeping my fingers crossed*

**Motu** · 6th October 2006, 13:21

It's for Kalifornia,but ultimatly their legistation filters down to the rest of the world....it's all about emission control,and it all comes from Kalifornia.Europe is seeing a move back to 2 strokes,riders have realised the upkeep on a modern competitive 4 stroke is just too much if you don't have factory backing.The noise issue too - believe it or not 4 stroke MX ers are noisier than the 2 strokes.

I think your sources have been reading posts on Thumper Talk,this is not America.....the land of the free,where you can't buy or ride a 2 stroke.

**inlinefour** · 6th October 2006, 13:27

Turns out no one knows much about it, was put through to a "warrent specialist", who was quite unsure herself as well. Ater spending some time on hold and listening to the crap music, I was put through to Colin Hainsworth, who knows about these things (perhaps). He was not there and I had to leave a message on his answerphone and hopefully he will get back to me. For those getting upset, don't worry, if your bike is legal, there is no issue with keeping it that way. However having an old collectable 2 smoker and getting it back on the road, could become an issue in future, or not. All depends on what the LTSA says, or if they even know...

Originally Posted by Motu

It's for Kalifornia,but ultimatly their legistation filters down to the rest of the world....it's all about emission control,and it all comes from Kalifornia.Europe is seeing a move back to 2 strokes,riders have realised the upkeep on a modern competitive 4 stroke is just too much if you don't have factory backing.The noise issue too - believe it or not 4 stroke MX ers are noisier than the 2 strokes.

I think your sources have been reading posts on Thumper Talk,this is not America.....the land of the free,where you can't buy or ride a 2 stroke.

I'm hoping your right Motu, as I'm sure is everyone else.

**ManDownUnder** · 6th October 2006, 13:28

Originally Posted by Motu

I think your sources have been reading posts on Thumper Talk,this is not America.....the land of the free,where you can't buy or ride a 2 stroke.

No - this is the land of the bound... we clearly need to add fibre to Aunty Helen's diet

**Damon** · 6th October 2006, 13:55

Me Mum works for the LTSA so i've emailed her to find out, will let you know

**Motu** · 6th October 2006, 13:56

No,bound to follow the rest of the world - Kalifornia says no 2 strokes....Honda will make no more 2 strokes as their major market will no longer allow them.....NZ gets no more Honda 2 strokes....and in retrospec passes a no 2 stroke law.