Are motorcycles easy to steal?

Harley® is the fifth most likely motorcycle type to be stolen. Thieves love to ride off on a Harley, but they're less likely to do so than other bikes for a couple of reasons: Harley® has upgraded their anti-theft technology, so bikes are harder to steal and easier for the owner to track if they are stolen.

Can a motorcycle be stolen easily?

As a motorcycle rider, you are passionate about your bike, which is why you probably want to do everything in your power to make sure it isn't stolen. The unfortunate reality is that motorcycles are stolen more frequently and less likely to be recovered than cars as they are often broken down and sold for parts.

Is it common for people to steal motorcycles?

According to National Insurance Crime Bureau statistics, motor vehicle thefts are on the rise, and among the vehicles being targeted are motorcycles. It's one thing to have your property stolen, but if it is something you love and have become attached to, that is a different story altogether.

What motorbikes get stolen most?

How do I keep my motorcycle from being stolen?

How To Steal a Motorcycle And How To Prevent It

Where do most motorcycle thefts occur?

Of motorcycles nabbed, most occurred in California (9,483), Texas (4,448), and Florida (4,223). As might be expected, the summer months tend to be when thefts occur with most in August (6,214) and July (5,855).

How do motorbikes get stolen?

The most common way of stealing a motorcycle is by lifting it off of the ground and loading into a van. Quick, easy, quiet, once the bike is in the van it's invisible, riding it comes with a greater risk of being caught. Plus you don't even need to know how to ride it.

What happens if I buy a stolen motorbike?

You have no legal rights to keep the bike. The general rule is that it remains the property of the original owner and the police can take the motorcycle from you to return it to the original owner or the insurance company if the owner has been paid out.

What do thieves do with stolen motorbikes?

Here's what once of the team had to say: “We are finding that, while most bikes are stolen purely to be stripped down and sold on legitimate websites such as eBay, or for export to other countries where they will be sold, certain models are attracting additional interest from theft groups.

What percent of motorcycles get stolen?

5. California

However, it also had the most thefts of any state, accounting for 17% of all motorcycle thefts in the U.S.

Do motorcycle covers deter theft?

Use a Cover

Putting on a cover is another simple way to deter thieves. If they can't see what kind of motorcycle you're using, they're less likely to target it. Having a motorcycle cover made from durable materials and built-in hardware for a security chain can also serve as an impediment.

Which motorcycles are least likely to be stolen?

A study by Progressive Insurance Companies confirms that cruiser-type motorcycles, especially small ones, are crashed and stolen less frequently than sportbikes.

What kind of people steal bikes?

Joyriders: Joyriders steal bikes for the sole purpose of riding the stolen bike for entertainment and will generally abandon the bike after using it. Most of these offenders are male and under the age of 16. Acquisitive: These thieves steal bicycles for financial gain and usually trade them for cash or goods.

Why is bike theft so common?

Another reason theft is so prevalent is that locks haven't kept pace with the times. The ones that do work can be so expensive or so heavy that they actually deter people from riding in the first place. GPS trackers can locate a stolen bike, but do nothing to stop thieves who only want to strip its parts.

How can I tell if the bike I bought was stolen?

Check the serial number

The serial number can be checked within databases like Bike Index or Bike Register, so if the bike has been registered as stolen you can then take steps to involve the police. If the serial number has been filed off or covered in any way, this is also a sure sign that the bike was stolen.

How do you see if a motorcycle is stolen?

To tell if a motorcycle is stolen, you can have your local DMV run a VIN inspection, use online VIN inspection databases, contact your insurance and have them search their database, contact shops where the owner supposedly had the motorcycle serviced, notice any hesitancy from the seller, and see if the situation is ...

How do I check a VIN number on a motorcycle?

You can find it on the steering neck. However, some VINs are etched on motor close to the bottom of the cylinder. To see it, sweep the handlebars to the left and observe the right-hand side of the motorcycle frame at the point where the head of the steering dives into the frame.

What is the best way to secure a motorcycle?

Use a chain lock through the back wheel (the front wheel can be removed). Secure your bike, with the lock taut to an immovable object such as a ground anchor or street furniture. This will stop thieves from cutting a lock trailing on the ground using an angle grinder.

How can I make my bike less attractive to thieves?

Some dirt or duct tape can make it look less attractive to the crooks. For bicycle protection tape your seatpost, handlebars, and various places on your frame to make your bike parts look worn and shabby.

How often are stolen motorcycles recovered?

What Are the Chances of Recovering a Stolen Motorcycle? Approximately 46% of stolen motorcycles are eventually recovered. The first few days after the theft are the most important in mounting a successful recovery effort.

How often are Harleys stolen?

Once your Harley is stolen, the chances you'll get it back are slim. Of the 41,674 bikes stolen in 2018, only 16,679 bikes were recovered. That means about 25,000 bikes never returned to their owners after they were stolen.

How many motorcycles are stolen in the US each year?

In 2020, 53,111 motorcycles were reported as stolen in the United States. This is an increase from the previous year, when 40,830 motorcycles were reported stolen.

What bike locks Cannot cut?

Is There a Bike Lock That Can't Be Cut? The Altor SAF and the Skunklock are the two most uncuttable bike locks on the market. Both of these locks employ anti-cut features that make them capable of defeating power tools. These two locks are the strongest and most unbreakable bike locks on the market.

How common is it to get your bike stolen?

A bicycle is stolen every 30 seconds in the United States. That's roughly two million bikes a year, totaling about $350 million . To give you some perspective, less than one million motor vehicles are stolen each year in America.

Are Harleys easily stolen?

Harley® is the fifth most likely motorcycle type to be stolen. Thieves love to ride off on a Harley, but they're less likely to do so than other bikes for a couple of reasons: Harley® has upgraded their anti-theft technology, so bikes are harder to steal and easier for the owner to track if they are stolen.