Kick start my heart … but don’t steal my ‘bike’

A refrain from an old tune by Motley Crew probably sums up the feelings of motocycle enthusiasts who have been caught in the web of rising thefts in recent years. The National Insurance Crime Bureau just released its latest figures, by state, on the number of motorcycles stolen in 2005. Nationally, 70,613 motorcycles were stolen last year–a slight decrease from the 71,108 stolen in 2004, the NICB said. That number represents a loss of over $434 million to motorcycle owners and the insurance industry.

Although our neighbors out west in sunny California ranked number one with the most motorcycles stolen, the Midwest did appear in those states listed in the top 20. Ohio had the dubious honor of coming in fifth place, with Indiana just squeaking into the top 10 at number nine. Michigan and Missouri fell into the top 20 taking the 14th and 15th spots. Michigan’s total number of thefts for 2005 was 1,832, while Missouri had 1,783 motorcycles stolen last year.

LoJack Corporation, which provides tracking and recovery systems for stolen mobile assets, reported that while thefts nationally are down slightly compared to 2004, over the past five years the jump in the number of stolen motorcycles has been dramatic. In 2000 there were only 30,000 motorcycle thefts compared with over 70,000 in 2005, nearly a 135 percent increase. And, LoJack’s motorcycle recovery systems have led police to uncover 37 motorcycle theft rings and arrest 12 criminals. Today, one bike is stolen very 7.5 minutes in this country, which is an alarming number for anyone who owns a motorcycle, LoJack Corporation president and COO said.

It’s true that in 2005 for the 13th year in a row, motorcycle and scooter sales increased over the previous year, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. Sales of all types of two-wheelers jumped to 1,116,000 in 2005, a 5 percent increase over 2004 figures.

So, is it the growing popularity of motorcycles that is responsible for the dramatic jump in thefts over the last five year? Could the fact that well-heeled baby boomers from all walks of life are now spending big chunks of change to purchase these motorcycles as their latest toy be a part of the equation? And why aren’t theft prevention systems working? The experts can only speculate.

The entire report, including theft prevention tips, and types of bikes included in the theft numbers, is highlighted on pages 48 and 49 in this issue. Read it and you be the judge.

Topics Auto