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More motorcycle factory closures during pandemic

MV Agusta RVS#1 RVS heritage f4 testing
MV Agusta factory

The list of motorcycle factory closures due to the coronavirus pandemic is growing daily with MV Agusta and Indian Motorcycles finally joining.

The MV factory on the shores of beautiful Lake Varese in Lombardy, an early epicentre of the virus in Italy, had been continuing with a reduced workforce.

Now they have announced that from tomorrow (26 March 2020) will cease all activities until the production ban is lifted, whenever that might be.

Polaris is closing all its five factories in the USA, plus factories in Mexico and Poland.

The Piaggio Group had temporarily closed over a recent weekend for cleaning, but has now closed until April 3, affecting production of Moto Guzzi, Aprilia and Vespa.

They join other Italian motorcycle, car and automotive component factories in shutting down.

Other automotive factories have closed across Europe and Asia and Harley-Davidson in the USA has closed its factories.

Harley-Davidson 115th anniversary 110th 105th
Harley’s Pilgrim Road factory where a worker tested positive

What closures mean to riders

Motorcycle factory closures may not have a huge impact on the supply of models as demand will also be down.

However, it could impact the supply of spare parts.

The closure of component factories such as Brembo will also hamper the supply chain and the production of many models such as BMW and Triumph.

Not that we may be able to lawfully ride soon, anyway.

Restrictions seem to be tightening daily as the coronavirus infection rate soars.Virus closures

Surely it’s time to act responsibly and safeguard the health and livelihoods of ourselves and others.