What is really meant my euro 2 and euro 3 emmisions?

Question

when a bike is listed as being inline with euro 2 or 3 emissions what does this actually mean if i was to buy a bike in either of these catagories next year???

Answer 1

Euro 2 emission standards came into effect for newly registered vehicles in Europe 1996.
Euro 3 emission standards came into effect for newly registered vehicles in Europe in 2000.

The Euro 3 standards require the vehicle to emit less of the legislated pollutants than allowed under Euro 2.

Some other countries (e.g. India, China, Iran) are following the European standards, but with different introduction dates.

A vehicle classified as Euro 2 can be sold new and registered in countries that currently require Euro 2.
A vehicle classified as Euro 3 can be sold new and registered in countries that currently require Euro 3.
To sell/register a new vehicle in Europe today it must meet Euro 4 standards.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_emission_standards for details of the standards.