BY: Blake Bos
Source: fool.com
United States - As of the most recent report by the Department of
Transportation, there were 8,410,255 motorcycles registered in the
United States by private citizens and commercial organizations in 2011.
To put this staggering number into perceptive, out of every 36 people
you meet in the U.S., one of them probably has a motorcycle. For ranking
purposes, we won't be looking at total bikes in a state, but rather
people per motorcycle (the lower the number, the more common bikes are).
So what states in America have the most die-hard moto-enthusiasts? 3.
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain -- Iowa
Iowa is now home to the production of the famous Indian motorcycle. Image: WikiCommons
Iowa comes in third with 18 people for every motorcycle, beating the national average by 55%. In 2011 the state had 172,929 motorcycles registered, representing 2.1% of all motorcycles in America. Iowa is also home to production of Polaris' (NYSE: PII ) Victory and Indian brands, and has the famous Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally. This Midwest state's wide-open spaces make for a perfect landscape for Polaris' and Harley-Davidson's (NYSE: HOG ) famous cruisers. 2. Live free or die -- New Hampshire
The 90-year-old Laconia Motorcycle Week. Image: WikiCommons
New Hampshire comes in second with 17 people for every motorcycle beating the national average by 50%. In 2011 the state had 79,266 motorcycles registered, representing 0.94% of all motorcycles in America. New Hampshire also happens to be one of 31 states without a mandatory helmet law.
The state is also home to Laconia Motorcycle Week, which dates back to the early 1900s and is one of the countries oldest rallies. Some sources quote attendance as high 300,000-400,000 bikers for this rally, and it is frequently ranked as one of the best rallies in the country.
The combination of no helmets, great natural terrain, and the famous Laconia Motorcycle Week make New Hampshire a top spot for motorcycle enthusiasts.
1. Under God the people rule -- South Dakota
416,272 riders made there way to Sturgis in 2011. Image: WikiCommons
South Dakota comes in first with 12 people for every motorcycle beating the national average by 66%. In 2011 the state had 69,284 motorcycles registered, representing 0.82% of all motorcycles in America. South Dakota is famous for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which attracted 467,338 riders in 2013.
With 77% of surveyed riders riding a Harley-Davidson, this event is crucial for Harley to not only show off its newest products, but also to monitor its core customer. Investors in Polaris and Harley Davidson would do well to monitor how their brand's present themselves at Sturgis to see if they're gaining market share or losing it.
Since South Dakota hosts the country's largest motorcycle rally and has a small population, it's no surprise this rather thinly populated state takes the No. 1 spot.
Wrapping up the 50 top states In 2011 the Department of Transportation began more accurately collecting data for states, so for the first time motorcycle enthusiasts can truly see in which states they have the greatest chance of passing by a fellow rider. For the motorcycle companies this data gives them valuable information on where they can most easily reach the greatest amount of riders and customers.
For a complete list of the most popular states for bikes, please scroll down.(click to orig. article)
It might not be a bike, but you don't want to regret not reading this You don't know it yet, but you probably spent $1000's more than you should have on your vehicle. In fact, the auto industry can be such a dangerous place for consumers that our top auto experts are determined to even the playing field. That's why they created a a brand new free report on the car-buying secrets you must know. The advice inside could save you thousands of dollars on your next car, so be sure to read this report while it lasts. Your conscience, and your wallet, will thank you.
Iowa comes in third with 18 people for every motorcycle, beating the national average by 55%. In 2011 the state had 172,929 motorcycles registered, representing 2.1% of all motorcycles in America. Iowa is also home to production of Polaris' (NYSE: PII ) Victory and Indian brands, and has the famous Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally. This Midwest state's wide-open spaces make for a perfect landscape for Polaris' and Harley-Davidson's (NYSE: HOG ) famous cruisers. 2. Live free or die -- New Hampshire
The 90-year-old Laconia Motorcycle Week. Image: WikiCommons
New Hampshire comes in second with 17 people for every motorcycle beating the national average by 50%. In 2011 the state had 79,266 motorcycles registered, representing 0.94% of all motorcycles in America. New Hampshire also happens to be one of 31 states without a mandatory helmet law.
The state is also home to Laconia Motorcycle Week, which dates back to the early 1900s and is one of the countries oldest rallies. Some sources quote attendance as high 300,000-400,000 bikers for this rally, and it is frequently ranked as one of the best rallies in the country.
The combination of no helmets, great natural terrain, and the famous Laconia Motorcycle Week make New Hampshire a top spot for motorcycle enthusiasts.
1. Under God the people rule -- South Dakota
416,272 riders made there way to Sturgis in 2011. Image: WikiCommons
South Dakota comes in first with 12 people for every motorcycle beating the national average by 66%. In 2011 the state had 69,284 motorcycles registered, representing 0.82% of all motorcycles in America. South Dakota is famous for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which attracted 467,338 riders in 2013.
With 77% of surveyed riders riding a Harley-Davidson, this event is crucial for Harley to not only show off its newest products, but also to monitor its core customer. Investors in Polaris and Harley Davidson would do well to monitor how their brand's present themselves at Sturgis to see if they're gaining market share or losing it.
Since South Dakota hosts the country's largest motorcycle rally and has a small population, it's no surprise this rather thinly populated state takes the No. 1 spot.
Wrapping up the 50 top states In 2011 the Department of Transportation began more accurately collecting data for states, so for the first time motorcycle enthusiasts can truly see in which states they have the greatest chance of passing by a fellow rider. For the motorcycle companies this data gives them valuable information on where they can most easily reach the greatest amount of riders and customers.
For a complete list of the most popular states for bikes, please scroll down.(click to orig. article)
It might not be a bike, but you don't want to regret not reading this You don't know it yet, but you probably spent $1000's more than you should have on your vehicle. In fact, the auto industry can be such a dangerous place for consumers that our top auto experts are determined to even the playing field. That's why they created a a brand new free report on the car-buying secrets you must know. The advice inside could save you thousands of dollars on your next car, so be sure to read this report while it lasts. Your conscience, and your wallet, will thank you.
