Suzuki Tops Most, Least Stolen Lists

Fast moving, high-powered sports motorcycles known familiarly as"crotch rockets" are the most likely to be stolen and crashed,according to a study of an insurers data.

The research was conducted by Mayfield Village, Ohio-basedProgressive, which said it examined claims data on more than 2million motorcycles. As of last year, there were 7 millionmotorcycles registered in the nation. Progressive is the nation'slargest motorcycle insurer, according to the company.

In first place for bikes likely to be stolen was the SuzukiGSX-R Series. It also topped the list for cycles most likely to becrashed, Progressive said.

Rick Stern, motorcycle products manager at Progressive,explained that for motorcyclists who buy a variety of machine thatis often stolen or often involved in crashes, the rates may behigher. The insurer wanted to inform bikers so they could makebetter more informed insurance purchases, he said.

He said the sport bikes on the list for likely stolen andcrashed are generally machines with a high horsepower-to-weightratio with a large amount of plastic components.

The other motorcycles on the most stolen list were: 2. YamahaYZF series, 3. Honda CBR Series, 4. Suzuki Hayabusa and 5. KawasakiNinja Series.

Others in the most likely crashed were: 2. Kawasaki NinjaSeries, 3. Suzuki TLR, 4. Yamaha YZF Series and 5. Honda CBRSeries.

Progressive also compiled a list of bikes least likely to bestolen and least likely to be crashed. Mr. Stern said thesevehicles were generally smaller cruising bikes equipped with lesspowerful engines.

Cruisers, he said generally "wouldn't be as aggressive as ridersof sports bikes" and appeal to a different demographic segment.

Listed as least likely to be stolen were: 1.Suzuki Savage, 2.BMW R1200C, 3.Honda Rebel Series, 4. Honda Shadow Series and 5.Yamaha V-Star.

Among the least likely to be crashed were: 1. Yamaha ViragoSeries, 2. Honda Rebel Series, 3.Suzuki Savage, 4.Harley-DavidsonFXR and BMW R1200C