Notre grande enquête : Observatoire du Vol GeoRide 2026

Our major survey: the GeoRide Motorcycle Theft Study 2026

Protect my motorcycle with GeoRide

Par ThomasMarch 31, 20266 min

Since 2018, GeoRide has been protecting the two-wheelers of tens of thousands of riders in France and across Europe. Today we are publishing the results of the Observatoire GeoRide du Vol 2026, GeoRide's 2026 motorcycle theft study, the largest independent survey ever carried out among GeoRide users.

More than 4,600 riders answered our survey between December 2025 and March 2026. Within that sample, 385 faced an attempted or an actual theft. Their answers paint an unprecedented picture of motorcycle theft in France, and of what happens when a connected solution is there to change the odds.

51.7%: in more than 1 theft alert out of 2, the theft never happened

This is the central finding of the study. Of the 385 victims in our sample, 199 motorcycles simply never moved: the GeoRide alert, the alarm going off or sometimes just a light switching on was enough to send the thief packing. Unlike a classic lock, GeoRide users do not have to put themselves in danger: knowing their motorcycle will be located lets them act calmly, with no confrontation.

And for the motorcycles that were actually moved, real-time GPS location and GeoRide's 24/7 post-theft assistance make it possible to act fast and recover them.

51.7%

The key figure

In more than 1 theft alert out of 2, the theft simply never happened.

Out of 385 theft alerts recorded in our sample, 199 motorcycles were never moved. The GeoRide alert, the alarm going off or sometimes just a light switching on was enough to send the thief packing.

199

The theft never happened. GeoRide acted upstream.

For these 199 riders, the threat was neutralised before the thief even went through with it. For the insurer, that is as many potential claims that never existed.

Without GeoRide

24.3%

national recovery rate

The theft has already happened. Out of 100 stolen motorcycles, 76 are lost for good.

Source: Argos 2025 barometer (the French insurers' vehicle theft body)

With GeoRide

51.7%

of thefts stopped before they started

The theft simply never takes place. And for the motorcycles that are actually stolen, GeoRide steps in to recover them thanks to real-time GPS location and 24/7 post-theft assistance.

Source: Observatoire GeoRide du Vol 2026

And when the theft does happen anyway, GeoRide recovers the vast majority of stolen motorcycles thanks to real-time GPS location and 24/7 post-theft assistance.

The Argos rate measures recovery after the theft has taken place. GeoRide acts upstream: in more than 1 case out of 2, the theft simply never happens.

Beyond recovering stolen motorcycles, which we have always done, the study taught us that GeoRide is above all a deterrent. In more than half of cases, the theft simply never takes place. Unlike a classic lock, GeoRide users do not have to put themselves in danger: knowing their motorcycle will be located lets them act calmly, with no confrontation.

4 incidents out of 10 do not exist as far as the insurer is concerned

This is one of the study's most striking lessons. 40.3% of incidents handled by GeoRide users generate no claim at all with their insurer. Out of 385 victims, 155 made no declaration.

The explanation is simple: when the theft is prevented or the motorcycle recovered quickly and undamaged, the policyholder has no reason to file a claim.

69.3%

Thefts prevented, not declared

The motorcycle never moved. The alarm going off was enough to send the thieves packing. No damage, no claim.

13.0%

Recovered, not declared

Motorcycle recovered thanks to GPS. Damage below the excess: the policyholder prefers to pay out of pocket.

1.6%

Lost, not declared

A single case. Marginal.

This is not a gap in cover

You might think these non-declarations hide an insurance problem. It is quite the opposite.

90.6%

of those who did not declare are properly covered against theft.

95.8% of them are prevented thefts. The motorcycle simply never moved. Not declaring is a rational choice, not an oversight.

The figures confirm it: 96% of the victims in our sample are covered comprehensively or third party plus theft/fire. With reasonable excesses: 63% have an excess of €500 or less.

Type of cover

84.6%

11.4%

2.7

84.6% Comprehensive

11.4% Third party + theft/fire

2.7% Third party only

1.3% Other

96% covered against theft

Amount of the excess

< €250

20.1%

€250-500

43.0%

€500-1,000

14.1%

€1,000-2,000

2.0%

Don't know

18.1%

63% excess ≤ €500

Every GeoRide alert that stops a theft is one claim fewer. 96% of our users who were targeted are covered comprehensively or for theft/fire. They pay their premium. GeoRide makes sure they never need to use it. For the insurer, the saving is huge: premiums collected, files that never exist.

When do riders actually file a claim?

We put the question directly to the 4,600 respondents: at what repair cost do you file a claim with your insurer?

From the first euro

36.1%

From €250

24.4%

From €500

29.6%

From €1,000

7.3%

€2,000 and above

2.3%

64% of riders only file a claim from €250 upwards.

The excess creates a natural buffer zone below which the policyholder prefers to absorb the cost. To test that hypothesis, we put two concrete scenarios to our respondents.

Two scenarios, two behaviours

Scenario A: motorcycle recovered undamaged

"Your motorcycle is stolen. GeoRide finds it in less than 24 hours, with no damage at all. Do you file a claim?"

55%

Do not file

45%

File anyway

Scenario B: motorcycle recovered with damage

"Same situation, but with minor damage. Do you file a claim?"

43%

Depends on the excess

57%

File a claim

The result leaves no room for doubt: even with damage, 43% of riders make their decision depend on the amount of the excess. When the motorcycle comes back intact, more than 1 in 2 does not file at all.

The 3 reasons for not filing a claim

60%

No damage

Motorcycle recovered intact. No loss, no claim.

21%

Fear of a premium penalty

Worry about a premium increase or being dropped by the insurer.

19%

Repairs < excess

The amount does not justify a claim.

A national picture that reinforces these conclusions

24.3%

National recovery rate for stolen two-wheelers in 2025. Without GeoRide, 3 motorcycles out of 4 are lost for good. Source: Argos 2025 barometer

These results take on their full meaning against the reality of theft in France. According to the Argos 2025 barometer, the number of stolen two-wheelers remains high, with 15,975 thefts recorded over the year.

The picture is simple: without GeoRide, the rider loses the motorcycle and the insurer pays out. With GeoRide, thefts are prevented, motorcycles recovered, damage kept down.

24.3% of stolen motorcycles are recovered in France. For the remaining 75.7%, the insurer pays out and the rider loses the motorcycle. GeoRide turns that reality around: thefts are prevented, motorcycles recovered, damage kept down. For insurers, those are direct, measurable savings, with every single alert.

About

The Observatoire GeoRide du Vol 2026 is an anonymous survey carried out among a sample of more than 4,600 GeoRide users between December 2025 and March 2026. Among the respondents, 385 had been the victim of an attempted or an actual theft. The results presented here reflect the answers of that sample.

GeoRide has been protecting and connecting two-wheelers since 2018. With the GeoRide 3s, GeoRide offers advanced protection: underground radar detection, automatic phone recognition and 24/7 anti-theft cover.

Sources: Observatoire GeoRide du Vol 2026 · Argos 2025 barometer (France Assureurs) · Mutuelle des Motards, the French motorcyclists' insurer