Motorcycle Thefts Rise in Kansas County

Authorities in Johnson County, Kan., say there’s been a rash of recent thefts of sports motorcycles there.

The bikes are aerodynamic machines known for their hunched-over seating position. Stunt riders like them because they’re light and easy to perform tricks. They can reach speeds up to 165 mph, and cost from $8,000 to more than $12,000.

In the last five months, Overland Park police say thieves took 29 sports motorcyles, compared with 19 thefts in all of 2009. In Lenexa, police report a dozen sports bikes stolen since April 15. And a section of Kansas City has reported seven of the bikes stolen in the last three weeks.

The Kansas City Star reports that nationwide, only about 30 percent for the sleek machines known as “crotch rockets” are ever recovered.

Information from: The Kansas City Star