Thieves Are Less Interested in Motorcycles, Report Reveals

United States motorcycle thefts dropped 2.3 percent in 2008 compared to the year before, a new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) revealed today. A total of 60,763 motorcycle thefts were reported last year, down 2.3 percent from the 62,206 reported in 2007 and down 4.8 percent from the 63,828 reported in 2006, the research shows. July and August had the biggest number of thefts, opposed to December, January and February which had the lowest.

Although causes for this decline aren't mentioned - is it the economic recession or the good job policemen are doing? - the report included a total of 684 motorcycle brands, with Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Harley-Davidson the most attractive when it comes to the bikes thieves prefer to steal.

Wondering what are the states with the highest theft rate? The survey says California, Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Indiana reported no less than 38.9 percent of the total figures. On the other hand, California, Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Maryland are the top five states when it comes to recovery of stolen motorcycles.

"While overall thefts are down, recoveries are down as well, mirroring a trend that began in 2006 when the national recovery rate for stolen vehicles fell below 60 percent (59.0) for the first time in more than 10 years," the report shows. "With bikes costing $20,000 and more, baby boomers and younger easy riders should take the time to learn how to protect their bikes."

Although official figures are not available at this point, the National Insurance Crime Bureau says car thefts have dropped as well in the United States.