U.S. Motorcycle Thefts Decreased in 2017

Thefts down 5 percent from 2016

DES PLAINES, Ill., June 6, 2018 — The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released its annual report on motorcycle thefts in the United States for 2017. A total of 44,268 motorcycles were reported stolen in 2017 compared with 46,467 reported stolen in 2016—a decrease of 5 percent.

Download the complete report and an infographic.

After several years of consecutive declines, motorcycle thefts increased in 2015 and 2016. However, 2017’s result may signal a resumption of the downward trend.   

The top 10 states with the most reported motorcycles thefts in 2017 were California (7,532), Florida (4,323), Texas (3,525), South Carolina (1,732), North Carolina (1,632), New York (1,547), Missouri (1,409), Georgia (1,235), Indiana (1,204), and Arizona (1,057).

The top 10 cities for motorcycle thefts in 2017 were New York (980), San Diego (846), Los Angeles (833), Las Vegas (583), Miami (575), San Francisco (568), Houston (424), San Antonio (413), Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (350), and Philadelphia (342).

The top 10 most stolen motorcycles in 2017 by manufacturer were American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (8,781 thefts), Yamaha Motor Corporation (7,298), American Suzuki Motor Corporation (5,530), Harley Davidson, Inc. (5,138), Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (5,101), Taotao Group Co. Ltd (2,305), KTM Sportmotorcycle AG (722), Genuine Cycle (532), Ducati Motor Holding (520), and Kymco U.S.A., Inc. (484). 

The most motorcycle thefts occurred in July and August with 4,951 each. The fewest in December (2,494), which continues to reflect a weather-influenced pattern that is consistent with previous years.