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RE: Stolen Bikes...Which Models Have The Highest Risk
Here's an article I found:
Top 5 Most Stolen & Crashed Bikes, (Monday, June 27, 2005) [Excerpt from Ontario East RetreadsÂŽ July 2005 newsletter] The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies published a list of the top 5 most stolen motorcycles, and the top 5 most crashed bikes:
Most Likely to be Stolen 1) Suzuki GSX-R Series; 2) Yamaha YZF Series; 3) Honda CBR Series; 4) Suzuki Hayabusa; 5) Kawasaki Ninja Series.
Least Likely to be Stolen 1) Suzuki Savage; 2) BMW R1200C; 3) Honda Rebel Series; 4) Honda Shadow Series; 5) Yamaha V-Star.
Most Likely to be Crashed 1) Suzuki GSX-R Series; 2) Kawasaki Ninja Series; 3) Suzuki TLR; 4) Yamaha YZF Series; 5) Honda CBR Series.
Least Likely to be Crashed 1) Yamaha Virago Series; 2) Honda Rebel Series; 3) Suzuki Savage; 4) Harley-Davidson FXR; 5) BMW R1200C.
What I find interesting is that the most crashed bikes are all crotch rockets, while the least crashed are all cruisers. The reason why I think its interesting is because Iâve been reading several news articles over the past year reporting there is a growing problem of older Americans buying up big-twin bikes, and crashing them. Yet here, we have statistical data showing that itâs actually the crotch rockets, typically ridden by young riders that are most often involved in crashes. Progressive says that these statistics are based on claims data covering more than 2 million insured riders over the past three years. â Steve (Ontario East RetreadsÂŽ)
So.......... more crashed crotch rockets = higher demand for replacement parts = higher theft rate.
I now this doesn't answer your question as to WHICH Harley gets ripped off most often but thought it was interesting enough to share.
RE: Stolen Bikes...Which Models Have The Highest Risk
Thieves sell things with the highest demand. The majority of people who would buy a stolen bike are probably going to be young and they are going to have risky life styles and want the buzzy bikes. Except for the Buells, VRSCRs and a few other models, Harleys don't quite fit in that demand spectrum. When's the last time you saw an 18-24-year-old piloting a Road King, Heritage or Electra Glide?
I'd think the biggest demand for Harleys would be to strip them down and sell off the parts, primarily the engine and the expensive add-ons that Harley riders like to collect.
RE: Stolen Bikes...Which Models Have The Highest Risk
I saw a show on this last week. They claim, that the SE bikes ( who didn't know that ) any bike with custom paint, a bike with an aftermarket engine ( no vin numbers ) and basically anything that is easy to take ( in the dark, no locks, no alarm ) are hot targets. They actually showed 2 guys taking a large cruiser, forks locked, and dragging it up on a trailer. After seeing this, I understand the theory that if a theif wants YOUR bike, he WILL take it.....
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