Usually, yes — but it comes down to state law and dollar value. In the US, theft charges are generally split into misdemeanor (petty) theft and felony (grand) theft based on the value of what was stolen. Every state sets its own felony threshold, commonly somewhere in the range of a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars. Since even a rough used motorcycle is typically worth well over those thresholds, stealing one is charged as felony grand theft or grand larceny in most cases.
Several states also have specific vehicle-theft statutes that treat stealing any motor vehicle — motorcycles included — as an automatic felony regardless of value. Related conduct can stack additional charges: VIN tampering, chop-shop operation, or moving a stolen bike across state lines, which can bring federal charges into play.
That said, "usually a felony" is a general statement, not legal advice — thresholds, charging decisions, and penalties vary a lot by state and case, so check your state's law for specifics.
For riders, the takeaway is blunt: felony charges haven't stopped thieves yet. Locks, alerts, and a hidden tracker that hands police a live location do more for you than the penal code ever will.
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