June 27 2013
Japan’s Motorcycle Manufacturers Opt for Voluntary Display of WMTC-Based Motorcycle Fuel Consumption Values
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.—Japan’s four domestic motorcycle manufacturers, who are also members of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA)—have adopted a voluntary initiative for the display of new, World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC)-based motorcycle fuel consumption values in motor vehicle catalogs and other materials, effective as of July this year, to complement Japan’s standard motorcycle test method-based values.*
The values to be displayed under this initiative are obtained by following the test methods stipulated in the WMTC prescribed in the relevant Global Technical Regulation established under the United Nations’ World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, also known as WP.29. WMTC procedure requires the use of a chassis dynamometer to measure vehicle emissions and calculate fuel consumption values based on the results.
The WMTC is a transient test cycle that includes startup, accelerations, decelerations, and other running modes. It was formulated to better reflect real-world on-road vehicle driving patterns.
Listings of WMTC-based fuel consumption values will cover those motorcycle models that have been type-approved by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on the basis of WMTC’s prescribed test methods. The listings will provide a further useful tool to assist motorcycle purchasers in their model choices.
* Japan’s standard, steady-state motorcycle test measures vehicle fuel consumption at 60 km/h for over-50cc motorcycles with rider and passenger, and at 30 km/h for 50cc-and-under motorcycles with rider.
