Last month, BMW made a notable announcement through a statement to Web Bike World. The announcement outlined details regarding their decision to temporarily halt the sale of specific motorcycle models. In this context, we will delve into what is presently known about this “stop sale” determination, encompassing the impacted models, the rationale behind the halt in sales, whether the motorcycles remain safe for riding, and the anticipated timeline for their reintroduction into the market.
Which BMW Motorcycles Are Temporarily Unavailable for Purchase?
In their comprehensive official statement (provided in its entirety below), BMW clarifies that the “stop sale” directive pertains to “all new and pre-owned BMW motorcycle models in dealer inventory, except for the CE 04.” It’s noteworthy that the CE 04 represents BMW’s sole electric motorcycle model, meaning this suspension of sales encompasses the entirety of BMW’s gasoline-powered motorcycles.
Why Has BMW Suspended the Sale of Gasoline Motorcycles?
The primary impetus behind this decision, as outlined by the company, centers on the evaporative systems integrated into the motorcycles. BMW states that these systems “may not have been produced to material specifications.” While the exact nature of the issue remains unspecified by BMW, industry experts from Web Bike World, Electrek, and BMW Owners News have construed this as indicating that numerous generations of BMW gasoline motorcycles fail to meet the emissions standards set by both Canada and the United States.
Can I Still Operate My BMW Gasoline Motorcycle?
According to the official statement released by the company, “[t]his temporary stop sale is not safety related, and BMW owners may continue to ride their motorcycles as usual.” The company’s explicit emphasis on safety has heightened suspicions that the issue is related to environmental impact.
Will BMW Resume the Sale of Gasoline Motorcycles?
Most likely. BMW has characterized the stoppage in sales as “temporary” and “voluntary.” This implies that BMW intends to resume the sale of gasoline motorcycles once it addresses the undisclosed problem related to the evaporative systems. However, the company has not provided a timeline for when this resolution might be achieved.
What Is the BMW CE 04?
The BMW CE 04 is currently the sole electric motorcycle offered by BMW in North America, although it will soon be accompanied by the CE 02. Described as a “maxi-scooter” by Electrek, this 31 kW (42 hp) bike boasts a futuristic design, notably departing from the conventional deep step-through frame typical of most scooters. It can achieve speeds of up to 75 mph and has been available in North America for approximately two years now.
Should I Consider Switching to an Electric Motorcycle?
It’s a possibility worth considering. While electric motorcycles may not be suitable for every rider, they do present a safer and cleaner fuel alternative for casual motorcyclists. Electrek highlights that although electric bikes may encounter “a battery fire here or there,” gasoline-powered cars and motorcycles contribute to significantly higher vehicle fire incidents. Additionally, electric motorcycles do not emit harmful particulates or carcinogens into the air. If you’re contemplating a BMW motorcycle purchase, now might be an opportune time to transition to electric.
The specific reason behind this temporary stoppage revolves around the motorcycles’ evaporative systems. According to BMW, these systems might not have been manufactured to the required material specifications. While the exact issue was not delineated by the company, experts from various quarters have interpreted it as a potential non-compliance with Canadian and American emissions standards across multiple generations of BMW gasoline motorcycles.
Despite the stoppage, BMW has clarified that this is not a safety-related concern. Owners of BMW gasoline motorcycles are permitted to continue using their bikes as they normally would. However, the explicit mention of safety has led to speculation that the problem may be associated with environmental impacts.
Looking ahead, BMW has characterized this halt in sales as temporary and voluntary. This suggests that the company plans to resume the sale of gasoline motorcycles once the undisclosed issue related to the evaporative systems is rectified. However, BMW has not provided a timeline for when this might occur, leaving enthusiasts and industry observers awaiting further updates on this intriguing development.
