Mythbusters Explain Details Behind Cars Vs Motorcycles Experiment

Tonight on the Discovery Channel, the Mythbusters will attempt to answer a question as old as time. Which vehicle is better for the environment. Cars or Motorcycles?

MythBusters' Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage discussed the new experiment at a Comic-Con panel in San Diego. Savage said that the experiment was fun, but that it was also consists of "some of the most complicated data we've ever crunched on the show."

From a press release:

"The MythBusters crew teamed up with vehicle emissions expert Kent Johnson of the University of California, Riverside (UCR) to analyze a full range of pollutants: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and nitric oxides. In the three-day experiment, they tested three pairs of motorcycles and cars from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s."

So which vehicle is greener? Cars or motorcycles?

The Mythbusters didn't want to give away any answers, but they did drop a few interesting clues.

According to Johnson, cars have reduced emissions over the last three decades while motorcycle emissions have stayed the same.

Johnson also said that his prediction was wrong by a factor of three.

"Our best guess was off by a factor of three," Johnson said. "That's why this data could contribute to science. Researchers could be adjusting their inventory models to reflect the true differences between motorcycles and cars, and it would probably identify that additional regulatory measures may be necessary to maintain air quality standards in certain districts, depending on the number of motorcycles versus cars."

I always thought that motorcycles were more environmentally friendly, but this last interview has given me some doubts. I guess I'll find out tonight. Will you be watching Mythbusters?