Michigan bikers prefer to hit the road on a hog
More Michigan bikers own a Harley-Davidson than any other motorcycle brand, according to the latest state registration data. Honda trails Harley-Davidson by 30 percentage points.
Currently, Michigan has about 220,000 registered motorcycles. Motorcycles are defined as motor vehicles with two or three wheels in contact with the ground and a saddle or seat for the rider, excluding tractors.
Which states have the highest rate of motorcycle ownership?
Montana has the highest ratio of registered motorcycles compared with the number of residents. In 2021, there were about 34,000 motorcycles for every 100,000 people, according to federal statistics. South Dakota, home to a massive annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, ranks second at almost 25,000 motorcycles per 100,000 people.
Michigan residents are less likely to own motorcycles compared with other areas in the U.S. — about 2,500 motorcycles for every 100,000 residents. Nationwide, there were 9.8 million registered motorcycles — roughly 3,000 per 100,000 residents.
Find a motorcycle endorsement class
Licensed drivers can start the process of getting a motorcycle endorsement by taking an approved motorcycle rider education course. Classes are offered by public sponsors like the Detroit Metro Motorcycle Safety Consortium at local community colleges or private locations like motorcycle dealerships.
Licensed drivers who are 18 years and older can opt to take a Rider Skills Test at a driver testing business if they have a temporary instruction permit. To obtain the permit, riders need to successfully pass a vision test and a written knowledge exam at a Secretary of State’s branch office.
Motorcycles can be hard to spot on the road. Safety experts caution drivers to take extra care at intersections, know their blind spots and leave more room for braking when driving behind a motorcycle.
Statewide, motorcycle crashes and fatalities have been climbing. There were 3,175 crashes involving motorcycles in 2021, up 17% from 2019, according to data from the Michigan State Police. Fatalities increased by 36%, with 166 motorcycle drivers or their passengers dying in 2021 compared with 122 in 2019.