BMW Motorrad Lifts Stop-Sales Order

UPDATE (October 2, 2023): BMW Motorrad has now lifted the stop-sale order that affected new and used motorcycles in its dealerships. It says that “the engineering division has concluded our testing and evaluation and have determined that the voluntary stop-sale measures can be lifted.”

We just got word that BMW Motorrad has issued a stop-sale order for some of its motorcycle models in North America. Apparently the problem relates to the evaporative system in all new internal combustion machines as well as used bikes in dealer inventory.

Not to worry, however; although details remain vague, it looks like BMW owners can still ride their machines. According to the official statement, the issue at hand is with materials used in said system rather than faulty manufacturing, as some have suspected:

“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 material specifications.”

Related: Will Exhaust Emissions Limits Kill Motorcycling?

As it stands, the stop sale order is “temporary and voluntary,” but BMW has said that it does affect “all new and pre-owned BMW motorcycle models in dealer inventory, except for the CE 04. The CE 04 is an electric, so obviously it is without any emission equipment.” No other models or further details were given, though the brand goes on to state that the issue is not safety related, and that “owners may continue to ride their motorcycles as normal.”

As a refresher, the evaporative system (also known as evap) is designed to catch unburned vapors and redirect them back to the engine or exhaust catalyst to burn more completely rather than releasing into the atmosphere.

The entire official BMW response follows:

“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 material 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.”