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 has led to sluggish sales.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau ("NCIB"), there were 253,037 motorcycle thefts from 2006 through 2009. Your bike is more likely to disappear during summertime 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 with 2,464 motorcycles stolen. Here are the 10 worst states for motorcycle thefts for 2006 through 2009:

1. California (29,593)


2. Florida (24,015)


3. Texas (23,124)


4. North Carolina (12,723)


5. Ohio (8,501)


6. Indiana (8,354)


7. South Carolina(7,953)


8. Maryland (7, 361)


9. Georgia (7,455)
10. New York (7,345)

The top 5 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 11 with total motorcycle thefts for that period noted at 7,238.

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 more than 4 times as often that Harley Davidsons.

From 2006 through 2009 the recovery rate nationally for stolen motorcycles was 35.7% Arizona ranked 8th for recoveries during that time, with a recovery rate of about 38%.