ISO 6460-1:2022

Overview

ISO 6460-1:2022 - Motorcycles - Measurement method for gaseous exhaust emissions and fuel consumption - Part 1: General test requirements - defines the fundamental requirements for measuring gaseous exhaust emissions and determining fuel consumption of motorcycles equipped with spark‑ignition engines (four‑stroke or rotary piston). It establishes test conditions, measurement accuracy, equipment and procedures used when performing emissions and fuel‑consumption testing for laboratory test cycles and constant‑speed tests (used together with ISO 6460‑2 and ISO 6460‑3).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability: applies to motorcycles as defined in ISO 3833 with spark‑ignition engines; two‑stroke and compression‑ignition engines are excluded in this edition.
• Test procedures: requirements for average emissions during standardized cycles and for idling and constant‑speed measurements.
• Measurement systems (CVS): permitted flow measurement principles include critical flow venturi (CFV), positive displacement pump (PDP) and subsonic venturi (SSV); procedures for closed and open CVS configurations are described.
• Analytical equipment: specifications for analysers and methods for measuring CO, CO2, NOx, total hydrocarbons (THC), methane (CH4) (using GC‑FID or NMC‑FID) and calculation of non‑methane hydrocarbons (NMHC).
• Fuel consumption methods: two accepted approaches - the carbon balance method (fuel consumption calculated from exhaust carbon analysis) and direct fuel flow measurement; includes procedures and annexed equipment guidance.
• Calibration, accuracy and checks: analyser calibration, CVS system checks, dilution factor determination, and instrument accuracy requirements.
• Fuel and fuel analysis: methods to determine hydrogen/carbon and oxygen/carbon ratios from fuel composition; support for oxygenated fuels (e.g., E5/E10) in emissions and fuel‑consumption calculations.
• Normative and informative annexes: include fuel flow measurement equipment, sample record forms, leakage checks, dilution factor determination and calculation principles.

Practical applications and users

ISO 6460-1 is intended for:

• Motorcycle manufacturers and engine developers (R&D and certification testing)
• Automotive and emissions test laboratories (type approval and compliance testing)
• Regulatory bodies and conformity assessment organizations defining test protocols
• Component and emissions systems suppliers validating catalysts, sensors and after‑treatment Practical uses include type‑approval testing, fuel‑consumption claims, emissions benchmarking, and laboratory setup and quality control.

Related standards

• ISO 6460 series (see Parts 2 and 3 for cycle and constant‑speed details)
• ISO 3833 (vehicle category definitions)
• ISO/IEC Directives (editorial and procedural context)

Keywords: ISO 6460-1, motorcycle emissions testing, gaseous exhaust emissions, fuel consumption, CVS system, carbon balance method, GC‑FID, NMHC, CFV, PDP, SSV.