BMW Stops Selling Gasoline Motorcycles (Temporarily)
Updated: Sep. 26, 2023
The company's voluntary stop sale notice has shocked bikers around the world.
In a statement made to Web Bike World on September 13, BMW announced it will temporarily stop selling most of its motorcycles in North America. Here’s everything we know about the “stop sale” decision so far, including which models are affected, why they are no longer being sold, if they can still be ridden safely and when they may be available for purchase again.
Which BMW Motorcycles Are No Longer for Sale?
In their official statement (published in full below), BMW explains the stop sale affects “all new and pre-owned BMW motorcycle models in dealer inventory, except for the CE 04.” The CE 04 is BMW’s only electric motorcycle model, so this affects all of BMW’s gasoline motocycles.
Why Is BMW No Longer Selling Gasoline Motorcycles?
The company points to the motorcycles’ evaporative system as the reason for the decision, saying these systems “may not have been produced to material specifications.”
Though BMW doesn’t specify the issue, experts at Web Bike World, Electrek and BMW Owners News interpreted this to mean numerous generations of BMW gasoline motorcycles don’t comply with Canadian and American emissions standards.
Can I Still Use My BMW Gasoline Motorcycle?
Per the company’s statement, “[t]his temporary stop sale is not safety related and BMW owners may continue to ride their motorcycles as normal.” The company’s explicit mention of the safety has further fueled suspicions the problem involves damage to the environment.
Will BMW Ever Sell Gasoline Motorcycles Again?
Probably. BMW described the stop sale as “temporary” and “voluntary.” This means presumably BMW will begin selling their gasoline motorcycles again, once it fixes the unspecified issue with the evaporative systems. The company did not announce how long that might take.
What Is the BMW CE 04?
It’s currently BMW’s only electric motorcycle available in North America, though it will soon be joined by the CE 02.
Electrek calls the 31 kW (42 hp) bike a “maxi-scooter” distinguished by its “futuristic design,” which notably forgoes the “typical deep step-through frame of most scooters.” It can reach speeds of up to 75 mph and has been available in North America for roughly two years now.
Should I Switch to an Electric Motorcycle?
Perhaps. While an electric vehicle may not be right for every rider, they do provide safer and cleaner fuel sources for casual motorcyclists.
Electrek points out while electric bikes can suffer from “a battery fire here or there … gasoline-powered cars and motorcycles are the cause of magnitudes higher vehicle fire numbers.” Plus, they release no harmful particulates or carcinogens into the air. So, if you’re still itching to buy a BMW motorcycle, maybe now is the perfect time to make the switch.
Read BMW’s Official Statement
From Web Bike News:
“BMW of North America is dedicated to providing vehicles to our customers that meet their expectations. To ensure that our vehicles are of the highest industry standards, BMW performs ongoing testing and evaluation.
“Following a recent quality analysis, BMW is pursuing measures to further evaluate the material used in a component of its motorcycle evaporative system, which may not have been produced to materials specifications.
“As a result, BMW of North America is issuing a temporary, voluntary stop sale for all new and pre-owned BMW motorcycle models in dealer inventory, except for the CE 04.
“This temporary stop sale is not safety related and BMW owners may continue to ride their motorcycles as normal.”
