Motorcycle Thefts Drop by 13% in 2009

April 13, 2010

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The number of motorcycle sales dropped in 2009 and so did the number of motorcycle thefts.

The latest report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) shows that motorcycle thefts declined by 13 percent in 2009, continuing a downward trend in thefts. A total of 56,093 motorcycles were reported stolen to law enforcement in 2009, down from 64,492 reported in 2008.

While overall thefts of passenger vehicles and light trucks are down, so are vehicle sales. Motorcycle sales between 2008 and 2009 were down 40.8 percent, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association also reported a 47.4 percent decrease in motorcycle production in 2009 from 2008 figures.

The top five motorcycles stolen last year were: (1) Honda, 13,688; (2) Yamaha, 11,148; (3) Suzuki, 9,154; (4) Kawasaki, 5,911; and (5) Harley-Davidson, 3,529. Combined they accounted for 43,430 thefts, or 77.4 percent of the total.

The top five states with the most motorcycle theft activity were: (1) California, 6,273; (2) Texas, 5,526; (3) Florida, 5,009; (4) North Carolina, 3,045; and (5) Georgia, 2,067. These five states accounted for 21,920 thefts, or 39 percent of the total.

The summer months of July (6,319); August (6,079); and June (5,672) saw the most theft activity while the fewest thefts were recorded during the winter months of December (2,927); February (3,100); and January (3,570).

To view the complete motorcycle theft report, visit: www.nicb.org.

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau