Sanctions and logistics have disrupted deliveries to Russia from leading motorcycle manufacturers, impacting supply chains on a global scale. The U.S. company Harley-Davidson announced it would suspend exports to Russia, and Kyodo reported that Suzuki was not being supplied there. That pause extended to other makers as well, with Honda halting shipments and EU authorities blocking spare parts, motorcycles, and tires valued beyond 5,000 euros. BMW’s full model range fell under this restriction, meaning even the entry-level G310 was priced at about 5,500 euros in the EU market.
Honda’s Russian office told socialbites.ca that the company does not plan to withdraw from Russia, but acknowledged ongoing supply challenges. “Due to today’s supply chain disruptions, there may be delays in the delivery of products and spare parts, including guaranteed parts,” stated Honda’s press service.
Public responses from other European, American, and Japanese brands about potential resumption of deliveries, stock levels, and pricing remained unavailable at the time of reporting.
Dealers note that the price of motorcycles from globally recognized brands has surged, with some models doubling in value. “The final price of motorcycles has increased by 80–100% since late February,” observed Andrey Olkhovsky, managing director of the Avtodom group, which handles BMW Motorrad, Ducati, and KTM in Russia. He added that nearly the entire motorcycle lineup is still accessible through their network.
Sales for the year are expected to be lower than the previous year, though the drivers behind the slowdown go beyond motorcycles alone. The Russian market for new motorcycles had been growing in recent years. According to Avtostat, 18.4 thousand new motorcycles were sold in 2021, up 12.6% from the prior year, with a quarter-on-quarter rise in 2020 vs 2019.
Experts warn that continued bans on European, Japanese, and American imports could trigger a major shift in the Russian motorcycle scene. Dealers may increasingly rely on gray-market imports, while Chinese and Indian brands could gain share. Yet, it’s unlikely that lighter bikes could fully replace the demand for high-powered machines.
Analysts expect supply routes to shift—potentially through the UAE and Dubai, or via Kazakhstan. Independent engineer Alexander Astapov notes that if official channels dwindle, gray-market dealers will become more important. He also cautions about the exchange-rate outlook and purchasing power, suggesting motorcycles may become far pricier, especially for European and American marques.
Industry observer Ivan Vladimirov notes that foreign brand representation in Russia is adopting a wait-and-see stance, and for some brands, exiting the market would not constitute a global loss. He remarked that Harley-Davidson would not miss a beat if it left Russia since the brand accounts for less than 1% of its global volume there. For Honda, the local market is barely visible in terms of sales, yet the company might push to grow the motorcycle segment in Russia. BMW remains the strongest “expensive import” brand in the country, and its importance to the Russian market persists as long as supply holds.
Chinese brands like Lifan and Loncin, along with Indian brands such as Bajaj, are expected to expand their footprint as a result of the disruption. China, however, does not produce engines larger than 400cc for motorcycles, so the increased presence is likely to involve lighter models rather than high-displacement machines. In 2021, Bajaj ranked second in Russia’s motorcycle sales with 2.4 thousand units, trailing only BMW with 2.8 thousand.
Availability of motorcycle equipment could face even more severe challenges than bike supply itself. Much of what retailers sell—high-tech helmets, specialized riding boots, and other protection gear—currently comes from Europe, Japan, and the USA. Experts warn that the real bottleneck will be spare parts, oils, and tires, since Chinese production for genuine-size parts compatible with Harley-Davidson and BMW is limited. European and American products remain the dominant source for these needs, according to industry voices.