Motorcycle Thefts

Motorcycle thefts in the U.S. have seen a significant decline since 2006, but at least some of that may be due to the decrease in the numbers of motorcycles produced and purchased. General economic malaise led to sluggish sales. In 2011 there was a slight uptick in sales, possibly relating to high gasoline prices.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau ("NCIB"), there were 236,054 motorcycle thefts from 2007 through 2010. In 2011, 46,667 bikes were stolen. Your bike is more likely to disappear during summer months than at other times of the year. In Arizona, motorcycles are popular. With 300 days of good weather in the central and southern part of the state (encompassing both the Tucson and Phoenix metro areas) biking represents an affordable mode of transportation as well as a popular recreational activity for scenic rides.

The NCIB provides data on motorcycle thefts by state. In 2005 Arizona was ranked 6th. Here are the 10 worst states for motorcycle thefts in 2011:

1. California (5,927)


2. Texas (3,950)


3. Florida (3,927)


4. North Carolina (2,466)


5. Indiana (2,114)


6. South Carolina(1,727)


7. Georgia (1,512)


8. New York (1,460)


9. Pennsylvania (1,455)


10. Maryland (1,445)

The top 4 states are the same, in the same order, as in 2005. So, where is Arizona? You'll notice that Arizona didn't make the top 10 for this period -- that's a good thing! Arizona actually came in at number 17 with 945 total motorcycle thefts for the year.

Minibikes, minicycles, mopeds, motorbikes, motorcycles, motorscooters, and multi-wheel vehicles were included in these statistics. Which were the most stolen makes of motorcycles during this period? Hondas topped the list. They were stolen almost four times as often that Harley Davidsons.