Unfortunately, motorcycle thefts keep climbing. According to the recently-released National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) Theft Report, close to 55,000 motorcycles were reported stolen in 2022. That’s a 7 percent increase from 2021, marking a three-year run of rising thefts.

As expected, with more riders out on the road, summer months ranked at the top of the list. Thefts climbed steadily from a low of 2,879 in February, peaking in July at 6,394. Moreover, motorcycle thefts surpassed the monthly average during the warmer season from May through October.

Californians again led the pack in reporting the most motorcycle thefts with 9,838 stolen bikes in 2022, accounting for 30 percent of all motorcycle thefts in the United States. Reporting less than half of California’s total thefts, Florida’s and Texas’ riders experienced the second and third most motorcycle thefts during the same period with 4,563 and 4,145 reports, respectively.

States with the most reported motorcycle thefts:

The top 10 states for motorcycle thefts made up 60 percent of the 54,736 motorcycle theft reports in the U.S. in 2022. As reports of stolen motorcycles rise, more than 40 percent are recovered thanks to the efforts of law enforcement agencies.

“While we witness the rise in vehicle thefts year after year, we are encouraging all owners, and especially motorcycle riders to take great care in protecting their property,” said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of NICB. “Even though you can’t completely control when criminals target you or your vehicle, you can help deter would-be thieves by taking proactive, easy, and effective steps to prevent these thefts.”

According to the report, the motorcycle brand most likely to be stolen was Honda, followed by Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki and Suzuki. However, NICB didn’t give any details about the most sought out type of bike/model by thieves.

The NICB recommends the following tips to protect your motorcycle from bad actors:

• Be cautious when parting with your ride; park in well-lit areas, lock your ignition and remove your keys.
• Lock your bike even when stored in a garage. Investing in an alarm system can significantly deter potential thieves.
• Keep your title secure. Don’t store it in your motorcycle’s storage compartment.
• By placing unique markings on your motorcycle and documenting them, if your bike is ever stolen, you can use these markings to identify your property.
• Always keep an eye on your vehicle while leaving it idle. Riderless, running motorcycles are prime targets for thieves.

If your motorcycle is stolen, the NICB strongly encourages you to immediately call law enforcement and your insurer. NICB data shows that reporting a vehicle as soon as possible after it is stolen increases the chance of recovery.