The coronavirus pandemic has halted motorcycle manufacturing in the USA and Europe with BMW Motorrad the latest to temporarily stop assembly lines.

BMW Motorrad has halted manufacturing at its Spandau factory n Berlin, but we believe G 310 production is continuing in the TVR plant in India.

The company has also closed its Munich HQ and two museums.

In Australia, BMW’s GS Safari has been postponed from this month until May 24-29.

GS Safari in doubt

A spokeswoman says the event will “most definitely go ahead in May”, but we think that’s unlikely given the pandemic expected to be at its peak then.

Click here for other motorcycle event cancellations.

Manufacturing halt

Harley’s Pilgrim Rd engine factory

Several motorcycle factories have closed across Europe while Harley-Davidson joined the temporary closure to clean its factories after a worker tested positive at their Milwaukee engine plant.

Ducati has extended its factory closure until March 25 and Brembo and Yamaha have closed their European factories until next Monday.

Moto Morini, KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas had already closed their factories in Italy and Austria.

The Piaggio Group – owner of Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Vespa – closed its factories last weekend for a “deep clean” and returned to production this week.

Meanwhile, MV Agusta in Lombardy, the epicentre of the Italian coronavirus contagion, continues with a reduced workforce.

All these manufacturing halts may not have an immediate effect on motorcycle supplies, but could result in longer term delays, especially on spare parts.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com