Which U.S. states are the most motorcycle-passionate?

Motorcycle riders are a passionate lot, as riding is more than a hobby we whip out, dust off and engage in occasionally. Riding is a deeply ingrained passion, a visceral need, a true lifestyle we embrace and participate in wholeheartedly. The freedom, the exposure, the community, the risk, it all makes for a total immersive experience we savor and live for.

To uncover where the passion runs deepest here in the U.S. of A., we recently came across an interesting study of the states with the most motorcycle registrations per capita. Compiled by motorcycle parts specialists Monster Fairings, the report analyzed some recent (2023) Federal Highway Administration motorcycle registration data, comparing both the total number of bikes on the road, and the total number of (known) bikes per 100K citizens. Examining over 8.7 million registrations nationwide, the study revealed which states are more saturated with motorcycle ownership and registration, which ones drive the biggest markets, and how geography, culture, and population shapes American’s moto passion.

The results were surprising, actually.

Joshua Placa last summer, on the Harley-Davidson Hydra Glide Revival.

So here’s the Top 10 Motorcycle States in the country (2023 results), from the standpoint of motorcycles owned/registered per 100,000 people in each. The list is dominated by the rugged individualism of the Midwest, New England, and the “Mountain West”, where open roads and a long/strong riding heritage rule supreme. Have a look, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

1. South Dakota- 8410
2. New Hampshire- 5600
3. Iowa- 4770
4. Maine- 4650
5. Wisconsin- 4630
6. North Dakota- 4570
7. Montana- 4510
8. Wyoming- 4420
9. Vermont- 3670
10. Minnesota- 3640

*Interesting observation: The national average for motorcycle ownership per 100K citizens in 2023 was 2640, which has been gradually shrinking over the past 30 years. But that’s another study for another day.

Rob Brooks chillin’ with an Indian Scout Rogue a couple of years ago.

Here’s a closer look at the Top 5, and some potential reasons why they dominate:

1. South Dakota is home to the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which single-handedly puts it in a league all its own. A combination of epic riding landscapes and this world famous event makes SD the undisputed motorcycle capital of America.
2. New Hampshire‘s shorter riding season doesn’t dampen the passion in the “Live Free or Die” state. Its gorgeous mountain passes and fiercely independent spirit result in one of the highest motorcycle densities in the country.
3. Just spitballing here, as I’ve never been to Iowa, but with a culture built around endless country roads and tight-knit communities, the state showcases how motorcycling can be an important part of everyday rural life, not just a “weekend warrior” hobby.
4. Maine, from its dramatic rocky coastline to its vast forests and ancient mountains, is a state offering breathtaking backdrops for motorcycle riding. Its top-5 rank proves a deep love for motorcycling up in the heart of New England.
5. Not really a surprise here, as Wisconsin is the birthplace and home of Harley Davidson and most recently, the North American home of Royal Enfield, the oldest motorcycle brand in the world. Moto heritage runs deep here, and combined with beautiful riding and a vibrant rally scene, Wisconsin certainly earns its place on the list.

Another interesting observation, is a look at the other end of the spectrum. The study pointed out the states with the fewest registered motorcycles per 100,000 citizens. One would think states like California and Texas, with their massive populations and numbers of motorcycles overall, would dominate the list. And yet their enormous populations dilute their per capita rankings, showing that higher populations don’t always equate to high moto culture density. Take a gander at this-

The 5 states with the lowest motorcycle density per 100K people:

1. District of Columbia- 690
2. Texas- 1290
3. Maryland- 1930
4. California- 2410
5. Utah- 3080

Ted and Dave thrashing some motorcycle tires up in the Pacific Northwest, another hotspot for motorcycling.

Here’s a few observations about this data that the FHA published in 2023:

*Density Defines Passion. The study proves that motorcycle saturation is found in states with smaller populations, and a strong cultural connection to riding, not just those with bigger markets.

*The Midwest is Moto Heartland. With four states in the top 10 (IA, WI, ND, MN), America’s interior is the beating heart of grassroots motorcycle culture.

*New England’s Riding Drive. Despite severely cold winters, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont all rank in the top 10, demonstrating an incredibly dedicated community of bikers.

*Big States, Lower Density. California may have the most registered motorcycles of any state in the Union, yet it ranks just 30th nationwide for per capita ownership. This again highlights the difference between a massive market and a saturated culture.

Phil G. rolling coastal at Daytona Bike Week, 2024.

So what do we make of this data dive? Passionate riders are in abundance in every state and region of America, of course. We certainly are down here in the Deep South. But if you want to find the country’s “motorcycle heartlands”, follow the open roads to the Midwest, the mountains of New England, and the wide open plains and badlands of the Mountain West. It’s here, in states ranging from South Dakota to New Hampshire, that motorcycles aren’t just transportation. They are a core part of identity and a celebrated way of life.

Our American passion for motorcycling is as diverse, vibrant, and enduring as the country itself. Let’s all go “RIDE LIFE”!

Rob

Sources:

Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2023, Table MV-1
IHS Markit Motorcycle Registration Analysis 2023
U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates (2023)

Explore the Southern Smokies with our friends at Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge! Tell them Road Dirt sent you.