motorcycle theft

Motorcycle Theft in 2014

Motorcyclists have a lot of things to worry about. They have to survive potholes, slicks spots, road debris and wildlife crossings. They have to survive highways full of texting teens, road-rage speed demons, and fatigued mothers driving 2-ton SUV’s with distracting children. With all these worries, motorcycle theft may be the last thing any biker wants to think about.

So how worried should a motorcyclist be about their pride and joy? Well, it depends.

The NICB “Motorcycle Theft and Recovery Report” has been released for 2013, which can shed some light on motorcycle theft predictions for 2014. Here are some of the findings:

  • There were 45,367 motorcycle thefts in the United States in 2013.
  • The warmest months were also the months with the most thefts: July, August, September, and June were the top four, in that order.
  • 2,060 U.S. counties reported motorcycle thefts in 2013; among them, Los Angeles County, California, ranked first by number of motorcycles stolen, while Fairfax County, Virginia, ranked first in theft rate by population (measured by number of thefts per 10,000 citizens).
  • The top five brands stolen in 2013 were unchanged from 2012. Of the five, though, Harley-Davidson is the only one to show an increase in thefts (up 4 percent).
  • The top five cities for motorcycle thefts are New York, Las Vegas, San Diego, Indianapolis and Los Angeles. The top four are unchanged from 2012; Los Angeles replaces Miami in the fifth slot.

If this list of facts causes some bikers to fret, we have a cure for that. Check out our previous post on protecting that pony from motorcycle theft:

Motorcycle Security: Protecting Your Ride

Motorcycle Security: Protecting Your Ride

There are all kinds of thieves in all kinds of neighborhoods. There are professional motorcycle thieves, career criminals looking for a getaway ride, as well as your run-of-the-mill hoodlums in search of a free joy ride. Don’t let your motorcycle fall prey to these bike-poachers. Read these motorcycle security tips and you’re sure to keep those precious wheels safe and sound.

Leave the Title at Home. Don’t store your title on the bike.

Mark your bike. Personalize your bike and then photograph it to make it easier for police to spot in the event of a theft.

Lock it in the Garage. When at home, keep the motorcycle in the garage and lock the door.

Lock the ignition. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, most bike thefts occur when the ignition is shut off, but not locked. So lock your ignition and remove the key.

Lock the forks. Lock the forks or disk brakes with locks that have large, brightly colored tags. (The bright colors will prevent you from forgetting they are there, which could result in an embarrassing situation)

Travel in packs. If riding in a group, motorcycles can be locked together when parked.

Lock to an object. If you’re riding solo, then look for a solid, stationary object that can’t be dismantled such as a rail or light post.

Park in camera’s view. If using a parking lot, parking garage or hotel parking area with security cameras, then locate a camera and park the bike within view.

Get an alarm. This will draw attention to the thieves, and can be triggered if the bike is moved, lifted or flipped. Or, if you’re a cheapskate, you can just get the alarm sticker. Few thieves will take the chance.

Get smart. GPS locators and other hidden devices have been available for some time, and can even be adapted to smartphones, tablets and computers. The latest Scorpio Ride “Core” system can be installed inconspicuously inside the bike and added as an app to your cell phone. The box plugs into the battery and relays information such as location, tire pressure, and even a perimeter check to your phone. In the event of theft, a pin code is made available to share with police so they can track the location.

By using one or all of these security precautions, your motorcycle will be one tough cookie to steal. Never leave that bike out for easy pickin’s and as always, enjoy the ride!