Get your motor runnin’

Article

California topped the nation in motorcycle thefts in 2005, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, but Texas had the dubious honor of coming in third place, with Florida falling in between the two as the state with the second highest number of stolen motorcycles. Arkansas, Oklahoma and Loui-siana placed in the middle of the pack of the 50 U.S. states for motorcycle thefts in 2005.

Nationally, 70,613 motorcycles were stolen last year—a slight decrease from the 71,108 nabbed in 2004—representing a loss of over $434 million to motorcycle owners and the insurance industry, the NICB said.

Seven motorcycle style definitions were used in the 2006 Mo-torcycle Theft Report:

• Minibike—Any motor-powered cycle with one or more of the following characteristics: less than 10-inch nominal wheel rim size; less than 40-inch wheelbase; a seat height of 25 inches or less measured from the ground to the top of the seat cushion.

• Minicycle—A small motor-powered cycle with all the capabilities, characteristics, and equipment of a motorcycle, and having an engine size of less than 90 cubic centimeters.

• Moped—A motor-powered cycle with or without pedals, with a 50cc piston displacement engine, capable of two brake horsepower, or a speed not exceeding 30 mph.

• Motorbike—A motor-powered cycle with or without pedals and a 50cc cylinder engine capable of 1.5 brake horsepower, but not exceeding 5 brake horsepower.

• Motorcycle—A motor-powered cycle, generally powered by a 90cc or larger engine, having one or two saddles or seats.

• Motorscooter—A low, two or three-wheeled motor-powered cycle, having smaller wheels and less power than a motorcycle, characterized by floor boards and a seat placed so that the operator does not straddle the engine.

• Multi-wheel—A three, four, or more-wheeled vehicle that was manufactured for on or off-road use.

Of the top three states, California in 2005 had 9,110 thefts and 9,231 in 2004; Florida had 6,324 2005 thefts and 7,107 in 2004; Texas had 5,755 motorcycle thefts last year, down from 5,884 in 2004.

Oklahoma came in at number 20, with 1,389 thefts in 2005, up from 1,145 in 2004. Arkansas followed at number 21 with 1,312 thefts last year and 1,215 in 2004. Number 28 Louisiana had 798 motorcycles stolen in 2005, down from 907 stolen in 2004.

LoJack Corporation, which provides tracking and recovery systems for mobile assets, reported that while thefts nationally are down slightly compared to 2004, over the past five years the number of stolen motorcycles has jumped dramatically. In 2000 only 30,000 motorcycles were taken compared with more than 70,000 in 2005, nearly a 135 percent increase. In the first six months of 2006, stolen motorcycles equipped with the LoJack For Motorcycles recovery system led police to uncover 37 theft rings and arrest 12 criminals.

“Today, one bike is stolen every 7.5 minutes in this country, which is an alarming number for anyone who owns a motorcycle,” said Richard T. Riley, LoJack Corporation’s president and COO said in the company’s announcement.

The NICB reports that recovery rates are in the 25-30 percent range nationally.

Sales are climbing

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.

Sales of motorcycles and scooters sales topped the one million mark for the third straight year in 2005, figures that were common in the 1970s. In a press announcement, the MIC said 1973 was a banner year for annual motorcycle sales, with more than 1.5 million bikes sold in the U.S. Sales also topped the one million mark in 1979, then cooled in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Among 12 leading motorcycle brands, sales of on-highway models for the third quarter of last year increased 16 percent compared to the same period in 2004. Between July and September 2005, scooter sales among these brands climbed 65 percent.

“Motorcycles and scooters have become far more mainstream, both an accepted form of transportation and recreation, and regarded as cool machines to own and collect,” stated Tim Buche, president of the Motorcycle Industry Council. “We don’t know from any formal study that $3 for a gallon of gas helped boost sales, but dealerships have been answering lots of mileage-related questions, and better fuel economy gives people yet another reason to buy and ride.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration reports that in 2004, there were 5,738,072 motorcycles registered nationally for private and commercial use. According to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, 109,528 motorcycles are registered in that state. Oklahoma had 81,693 motorcycles and 259 mopeds as of June 30, 2005, according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s annual report. In Texas, 325,105 motorcycles were registered in 2005, up 15.5 percent from 2004’s total of 281,530. The Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles reported 53,282 motorbikes registered there.

Professional thievery

Noting that motorcycle theft is big business for professional thieves, LoJack said it has found that so far in 2006 there has been an increased use of vans, often stolen ones, to steal motorcycles. Thieves may strip the motorcycles down for parts to resell or reuse to build other bikes. Expensive custom bikes often are actually made from stolen parts and aftermarket parts, LoJack said, and sold to unsuspecting buyers. Whole motorcycles may be resold with altered identification numbers, or exported out of the country.

With motorcyclists’ penchant for customizing their legitimately purchased rides, the NICB noted that it’s not uncommon for a bike’s base price to exceed $20,000 with aftermarket parts adding thousands of dollars more to the original cost. The group recommends the following tips for buying and insuring used motorcycles:

• Be wary of used cycles titled or registered as an “assembled vehicle.” If possible, have your insurer inspect the cycle prior to purchasing it.

• Verify that a previously driven cycle titled and registered as a popular brand name is not an assembled clone made from aftermarket parts.

• Look closely at used cycles for a title history that reveals numerous manufacturers’ statements of origin for major component parts.

• Watch for cycles alleged to be “all custom.” They could be assembled from stolen or altered aftermarket parts, especially chrome components.

• Be wary of cycles or major component parts that were allegedly acquired at a “swap meet.”

• Obtain an expert appraisal and/or insurance policy pre-inspection before purchasing and insuring a used cycle.

Top ten states for motorcycle thefts in 2005

State (# motorcycles stolen)

1. California (9,110)

2. Florida (6,324)

3. Texas (5,755)

4. North Carolina (3,053)