Nationwide, motorcycle thefts are on the rise. Every year, thousands of riders roll back to where they left their bike, only to find a busted lock, a torn-up chain, and nothing left but the ghost of what was once their pride and joy. More and more riders are left staring at an empty parking spot where their steel used to be. That gut-punch of rage, loss, and helplessness? It hits nearly 5,000 bikers a month across the U.S. Motorcycle theft has nearly doubled since 2000 (with 54,736 reported thefts in 2022), which comes out to some lowlife swiping a bike roughly every 9.6 minutes – at a loss of $325 million annually.
When more bikes hit the streets, more thieves come crawling out to snatch them—that’s just how it goes. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), bike sales jumped nearly 4.7% in 2023 and have been climbing for the past few years. After a slump caused by a weak economy, riders are finally back in the saddle, and with that, thefts are gearing up to rise too. More registrations mean more targets, and these lowlifes are always looking for an easy score.
Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Harley-Davidson top the list of most-targeted makes. Thieves know what they’re after, and they’re getting bolder. While about 40% of stolen bikes are recovered, that still means thousands of riders never see their machines again. Compared to cars, bikes are an easier target—lighter, easier to move, and packed with resale value.
Motorcycle thefts hit hard in the warmer months, with July and August taking the top spots for stolen rides, while colder months like December and February see a dip in the action.
California, the land of sun and stolen steel, leads the pack in thefts with a staggering 9,838 bikes swiped in 2022. That’s nearly a third of all the bikes snatched in the country. To fight back, California’s cracked down hard—passing laws that make it illegal to own “pigtails,” those dirty little tools that let thieves bypass your ignition. And Ohio’s no stranger to motorcycle crime either. While the numbers for 2022 and 2023 are a bit murky, the state still ranked among the top 10 for motor vehicle thefts in 2022 with nearly 30,000 stolen rides.
Here’s how to keep your ride safe and sound – straight from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:
- Lock your ignition and always take the key. Most bikes get swiped when the ignition’s off but not locked.
- Secure the forks or disc brakes with heavy-duty locks and make ’em pop with bright, bold tags.
- Add an audible alarm to your bike that’ll scream when some punk gets too close.
- When staying at a hotel, find a security camera and park where it can keep an eye onyour bike. If not, park close to your room.
- Lock bikes together when riding with others and leaving them parked.
- Flying solo? Lock your bike to something solid—like a light pole or anything that can’tbe easily ripped apart.
- Keep watch on your bike—especially at public events. Check it often, especially afteryou leave, to spot any shady characters.
- In a garage? Block your bike with cars, close the door, and lock that sucker tight.
- Keep your title at home, not in your bike’s storage. Don’t make it an easy target.
- Carry your registration and insurance card with you when you ride—always.
- Mark your bike uniquely and take photos. If it gets stolen, law enforcement can track itwith your proof.
- Don’t spill personal details on where you live, work, or ride. Keep your private life onlockdown.
- Don’t wait until your bike’s gone before you start thinking about insurance. If you’ve never had to file a theft claim, now’s the time to take a good hard look at your coverage. You don’t wanna be the fool caught empty-handed when the worst happens. Too many riders lose big because they didn’t have enough protection. Check your policy limits—make sure you’re covered for more than just the basics. A common cap is between $15,000 and $30,000, but let’s be real, if you’ve thrown a bunch of cash into custom parts, accessories, and performance upgrades, your bike could be worth way more than that. If you’re rocking a $15,000 policy, don’t be surprised when you get screwed if you ever need to file a claim.
- Make sure you’ve got proof of your ride’s worth. Receipts for those custom parts, chrome, and upgrades? Keep ’em. Photos? Take plenty and keep ’em ready to send in. The more you can show, the better your chances when dealing with an insurance adjuster.
Selling your Bike?
- Don’t hand over the title until the check clears. Thieves use fake IDs, so verify payment first and mail the title later.
- Ask the buyer for their name, address, date of birth, and driver’s license number—and make sure it matches the ID before handing over the keys.
- Be cautious of out-of-state IDs—thieves love using them to dodge the heat.
- Don’t let anyone take a one-way ride on your bike. Verify they own the vehicle they arrivedin, and it should be worth as much or more than your bike.
- Check their license for a valid motorcycle endorsement—if they don’t have it, walk away.
- Don’t rush giving the title. Get a signed document showing price and payment details. Sendthe title once the check clears.They say if a thief wants your bike bad enough, he’ll find a way to take it—locks won’t stop the hardcore ones. But here’s the thing: locks are your first line of defense. They’ll only slow down the punks looking for an easy steal, and the harder you make it for ’em, the better your shot at finding your bike right where you left it. Make ’em work for it, and maybe they’ll think twice before messing with your ride. And hey, while you’re at it, make sure you’ve got insurance that’ll back you up if things go south. You don’t wanna be left paying for a bike you’ll never see again. Keep your ride protected—physically and financially.
