Americans reported 46,667 motorcycle thefts in 2011, a 6% decrease from 49,791 stolen motorcycles in 2010, reports the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Despite the drop in reported thefts, the non-profit organization representing nearly 1100 property and casualty insurance companies says the theft rate still averages out to one motorcycle stolen every 11 minutes in the U.S. The numbers were published in the NICB’s 2011 ForeCAST Report which examined theft reports as well as recoveries.

California led all states in reported motorcycle thefts with 5927 bikes stolen in 2011, unsurprising considering the size of the motorcycle market in the Golden State. Other states with a large number of motorcyclists such as Texas (3950) and Florida (3927) also had more high numbers of reported thefts. At 21, North Dakota had the lowest number of reported motorcycle thefts of any State, including D.C. and Puerto Rico. Continue Reading »

American Suzuki is posting $4.2 million in race contingency for the 2012 U.S. road racing and motocross season.

The contingency program is open to amateur and professional racers riding 2011 or 2012 Suzuki GSX-R600, GSX-R750 or GSX-R1000 sportbikes and RM85/85L, RM-Z250 or RM-Z450 motocross racers.

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MV Agusta has released U.S. pricing information for its new F3 675 supersport and limited edition Serie Oro variant, but those looking for the Brutale 675 naked version may be disappointed.

The 2012 MV Agusta F3 675 will be available at American dealerships for $13,498 while the Serie Oro version will be more than twice the price at $27,900. The extra$14,402 gets you golden frame plates, swingarm, air intakes, wheels  and chain, minimalist graphics, as well as radially-mounted Brembo monobloc calipers, fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension and steering damper and lighter carbon fiber components. MV Agusta will only produce 200 units of the F3 Serie Oro.

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The U.S. motorcycle industry saw a 4.6% decrease in year-on-year sales over the first six months of 2011, thanks mostly to a 17.3% drop in ATV sales. Motorcycle and scooter sales however saw a 1.7% bump in the first half .

Unfortunately, most of that gain in two-wheeled vehicle sales was due to a strong first quarter that saw a year-on-year increase of 7.2%. Second quarter motorcycle and scooter sales totaled 156,215 units, down 1.6% compared to 158,686 units sold in the second quarter 2010.

Compiled by the Motorcycle Industry Council, the figures represent sales over the six months ended June 30, 2011, from 19 reporting manufacturers: Aprilia, Arctic Cat, BMW, Buell, Can-Am, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husaberg, Kawasaki, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Polaris, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Victory and Yamaha.

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