News The most stolen motorcycles in France in 2023 are...(top 10)

The theft of motorcycles and scooters remains a major scourge for users, so much so that Mutuelle des Motards has observed a 6% increase in the cost of unrecovered motorcycle theft over the last five years. This increase is attributed to the growing value of motorcycles and their improved technology.

Ranking of the most stolen motorcycles: high-tech bikes, prime targets

Updated every year, the report inevitably changes. Gone are the Honda X-ADV and PCX, which occupied the top two spots in 2022. Here's the sad list of the ten most coveted motorcycles by thieves last year.

1. BMW R 1250 GS
2. Yamaha Ténéré 700
3. BMW R 1250 RT
4. Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
5. Yamaha Tracer 7
6. Yamaha MT-10
7. Yamaha MT-07
8. Yamaha MT-09
9. Honda CRF1100 Africa Twin
10. Triumph Street Triple 765

Yamaha owners on the front line

Yamaha motorcycles are among the most sought-after, but not always
for positive reasons...

As a result, the most popular motorcycles for thieves are a big hit with riders, but it's mainly Yamaha owners who pay the price. As there isn't room for everyone, Ducati, Kawasaki, KTM and Suzuki don't feature on this list.

In 2023, the frequency of motorcycle and scooter thefts increased by 1.8% compared to 2022. Increasingly expensive technological content (OLED screens, LED headlights, radars, inertial units, noble materials such as carbon or magnesium) is not helping to curb this trend.

La Mutuelle des Motards in a preventive role

Wouldn't this ranking give ideas to criminals? The AMDM anticipates, stressing that the publication of this ranking is not intended to stigmatize the motorcycles mentioned, but rather to “raise awareness and encourage increased vigilance”. She adds, “We firmly believe that information is the first line of protection.”

Mickaël Beurrier, Operations Manager at Argos, points out that thefts are increasingly professional, often intended for resale or export. That's why La Mutuelle des Motards urges two-wheeler owners to redouble their vigilance and apply the basic principles:

• Increase the number of roadblocks to delay theft: use mechanical anti-theft devices, park your motorcycle in a locked garage or guarded parking lot.
• Block the steering: this is mandatory to establish the offence and receive compensation.
• Secure your motorcycle to a fixed point: with an SRA-certified mechanical anti-theft device.
• Install a GPS tracker: to increase the chances of finding your motorcycle in the event of theft.
• Choose a visible parking area: to deter thieves.

Mickaël Beurrier, Argos Operations Manager
Theft by “abduction” is currently the most widely used method. This involves lifting the 2-wheeler and loading it into a utility vehicle. This practice enables the vehicle to be stolen very quickly. Even if there is a physical anti-theft device, criminals are equipped with portable tools to neutralize it or cut the anchoring point. Depending on the distance involved in concealing the stolen 2-wheeler, thieves will use the “2-wheeler push” technique, with one accomplice - often on a scooter - pushing the other onto the stolen 2-wheeler. Keeping up with technological developments, thieves are adapting by using an electronic box for models fitted with OBD plugs to bypass the immobilizer.

Although we're well-informed, the fact remains that stealing a two-wheeler is easier than stealing a car, and no method can guarantee total protection against thieves.

In the event of theft, it's crucial to record and photograph the evidence, and to report it immediately. Currently, the recovery rate for stolen motorcycles and scooters is 28%, and is rising slightly thanks to new tracking technologies. An ounce of hope to end this brief...