- Check the Serial Number. The obvious starting point to find the date a bike was made is the serial number. ...
- Use Online and Offline Literature. At some time, every old bike was the latest model, and with that usually comes marketing, catalogs and bike manuals.
- Look at Specific Parts. Although the frame will be the most recognizable element of the bike, the parts can help date the bike too.
- Ask the Seller or Owner. It may seem obvious, but if you bought your bike second hand it’s worth getting in contact with the owner.
- Bring It to a Bike Shop. In addition to their professional knowledge, people working in bike shops often have an interest in bikes that goes beyond a day job.
- Post Online. The place where you can find even more expert knowledge than your local bike shop is online. ...
- This standard applies to vehicles built in or after 1981. ...
- Note: VINs do not include the letters I (i), O (o), Q (q), U (u), Z (z) or the number 0 for model year identification.
How do I know what year my motorcycle was made?
How do I know which year my motorcycle was made? Like cars the two wheelrs also come with a VIN (vehicle identification number) however its mentioned as serial number in some cases. Its VIN for Honda scooters. Unfortunately in two wheelers we can only find the year of manufacture.
How do I find out what year my car is?
The following information about vehicle identification numbers (VIN) affixed to the chassis will help determine the vehicle year. As noted, the vehicle’s year is identified by a letter or number in the 10th position from the left in the VIN.
How do I Find my Dirt Bike Engine and year?
Your dirt bike engine and part information source. What year is my dirt bike? The frame is easy. Find the VIN number stamped on your frame. The VIN is located on the front part of your bike just below the bars. COUNT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 10 CHARACTERS. Compare the 10 th character of your VIN with the chart below.
How do I find out what year my ATV is?
Determine the year, make and model of most popular ATVs, motorcycles and Scooters. Provide us with your VIN and we’ll give you with the World Manufacturer Identifier, Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS), Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code, Manufacturer Identifier and Sequential Number of production.
What VIN digit is the year?
10th characterThe 10th character of the VIN indicates the model year.
How do you read a motorcycle VIN number?
The first three characters are the world manufacturer identifier (WMI), the next six are the vehicle descriptor section, and the last eight are the vehicle identifier section.
How do I find the manufacture date of a VIN?
You can find your vehicles build date by looking at your VIN number located on the drivers side door frame in a month/year format or by standing outside the driver-side windshield and looking through the lower corner of the windshield on the dashboard. The 10th digit of your VIN will determine your vehicles year.
Can I look up a motorcycle by VIN?
You can access the same data through an online motorcycle VIN search. It's the most effective way to uncover information that isn't readily observable and may ultimately impact your decision to buy.
How do I decode my bike VIN?
The first three characters identify the location of the assembly and the name of the company. The next figures and letters determine the trim, the type of the engine and fuel, the model and the make. Manufacturers are allowed to use various combinations of symbols in the part of the code that is called VDS.
Where can I check a motorcycle VIN number for free?
Other Free Sources on Motorcycles and Motorcycle VINNICB.org.NHTSA.IIHS.Motorcycle review sites, like Cycle World.NADAGuides.Manufacturers' websites.Local dealerships.Owner manuals.
How do I read a VIN number?
Decoding your VINThe first character tells you where in the world the vehicle was built. ... The second character denote the manufacturer.The third character tells you the vehicle type or division.The fourth through the eighth characters tell you the vehicle brand, body style, engine size and type, model, and series.More items...
How do you decode a 10 digit VIN number?
How to decode a VIN?Digits 1 through 3 combined is the WMI, (World Manufacturer Identifier).Digits 4 through 8 represent the vehicle descriptor section.Digit 9 is a check digit.Digits 10 through 17 is the Vehicle Identifier Section.The 11th digit is the manufacturer's plant code.More items...•
What year was manufacture?
The manufacture year, thus, refers to the actual year when the car was built. This can be found in the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN that consists of the month and year of manufacture. It is located near the engine and is made up of up to 17 digits.
How do I get a free VIN check?
You can get a free VIN check at the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), VehicleHistory.com or iSeeCars.com/VIN. Just pop in your car's digits and these sites will do the VIN lookup and give you information on the vehicle.
How many digits is a motorcycle VIN?
17-digitSince 1981, American motorcycles have been assigned standardized 17-digit VIN codes. Both alpha and numeric characters can be used. The resulting VIN encodes information for identifying the vehicle.
What is the best free VIN decoder?
Top 5 Best Free VIN DecodersWhen to use a free VIN decoder? ... First Place – myfreevin.com. ... Second Place – vindecoderz.com. ... Third Place – decodethis.com. ... Fourth Place – vindecoder.net. ... Fifth Place – vinformer.su.
What do the numbers on a motorcycle mean?
In other words, the larger this second number is, the taller your motorcycle tire will be. For example, a tire that is written 130/90 means that it has a width of 130 mm and it is 90 percent as tall as the given width. When you calculate 90 percent of 130, that means it is 117 mm tall.
What does the 8th digit in a VIN number mean?
Digits in position 4 through 9 make up the Vehicle Description Section (VDS). The fourth through eighth digits describe your vehicle's model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code.
How can I tell what model my bike is?
0:100:19FAQ: Where can I find the model number of my bike? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe model number can be found on the down tube of your bike above.MoreThe model number can be found on the down tube of your bike above.
How many numbers in a VIN for a motorcycle?
17 charactersWhether it's associated with a motorcycle, dirt bike, ATV, or car, each VIN is 17 characters long, and alpha-numeric, which means that they use the numbers 0 through 9 and the letters A through Z.
Where Can I Find My ATV Vin?
ATV VINs are often stamped into the side or front frame rails. Here are some examples:KYMCO ATV VIN Location – This KYMCO MXU300 VIN is located on...
Where Can I Find My Motorcycle Vin?
Motorcycle VINs are usually stamped into the steering neck of the motorcycle. This is located just behind the front forks, behind the headlight (if...
Where Can I Find My Scooter Vin?
Many scooter VINs are stamped into the frame rails. Often times you will have to remove scooter bodywork to locate the VIN. We have seen many scoot...
Where Can I Find My Side by Side Vin?
Many Side by Sides have the VIN stamped into the frame rail. Check the front and rear wheel wells along the right or left side.KYMCO UTV VIN Locati...
Where can I find my Motorcycle VIN?
Motorcycle VINs are usually stamped into the steering neck of the motorcycle. This is located just behind the front forks, behind the headlight (if equipped).
Where can I find my Scooter VIN?
Often times you will have to remove scooter bodywork to locate the VIN. We have seen many scooters with VINs stamped into the left side frame rails and some with them stamped into the right side frame rails. Additionally, many scooters include an identification plate or sticker that will aid in scooter identification.
Where can I find my Side by Side VIN?
Many Side by Sides have the VIN stamped into the frame rail. Check the front and rear wheel wells along the right or left side.
What does the second character mean on a motorcycle?
The second character, when combined with the first character denotes which country the motorcycle was manufactured in. It’s not uncommon to find a BMW motorcycle made in Mexico or a Japanese ATV made in Canada. The third character is used by powersports manfacturers to identify the vehicle type.
When did the VIN start?
Note: In 1981, the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated a standardized 17-character VIN. The letters I, i, O, o, Q, and q are never to be used so as to avoid confusion with numerals 1 and 0.
Where are ATV VINs stamped?
ATV VINs are often stamped into the side or front frame rails. Here are some examples:
What does the M on a 2000 Yamaha YZ125M mean?
Likewise, if you own a 2000 Yamaha YZ125M the M at the end of the model name indicates it was sold as a 2000 model. Please note that the year of manufacture, (stamped into the frame or printed on a sticker affixed to your vehicle), does not necessarily denote the model year. It is not uncommon for a motorcycle to be manufactured ...
Why do Suzuki cars have different codes?
Suzuki has assigned international market codes to their vehicles for the purpose of differentiating models produced for a specific market. Generally models with different codes will have unique specifications.
Honda Motorcycle VIN Number Year Code Explained
The tenth character of the VIN within the Vehicle Indicator Sect (VIS) of the VIN, denotes the motorcycle’s model year. The characters used to identify the year in the VIN use both letters of the alphabet except I (i), O (o), Q (q), U (u) and Z (z) and numbers from 1-9.
Honda Motorcycle VIN Decoder Year Chart
See our motorcycle VIN decoder year chart below to find out what year your Honda motorcycle is
Where do you find the VIN number on a motorcycle?
Now that you know everything about VINs where on earth do you find it? The VIN location is generally the same for motorcycles and dirt bikes - on the steering neck - though some are located on the motor near the bottom of the cylinders. Turn the handlebars to the left and look on the right side of the frame where the steering head goes through the frame. It's etched on the metal vertically.
How many characters are in a motorcycle identification number?
Now you know everythinhg there is about the Vehicle Identification Number for your motorcycle, dirt bike or ATV - and probably more than you need to know! However, when the time comes, and eventually it will, you'll save a lot of time and in the event you're buying a used bike those 17 characters provide you with the necessary information needed to make an informed buying purchase.
What is the country code of a motorcycle?
So for example, the first character is the country code. The United States is "1" or "4," Canada is "2" but England is "S" and Germany "W." The second digit is the manufacturer. Kawasaki of course gets "K," Honda "H" and Suzuki "S," for examples. The third character IDs what the vehicle is. Motorcycles typically get "1" or "A" though two dirt bikes on display at MotoSport got a "1" the other a "2."
What does a VIN tell you about a used motorcycle?
Additionally, if you are selling or buying a used motorcycle, dirt bike or ATV the VIN tells you or a prospective buyer if the bike has been in an accident, rebuilt or even stolen, among other information.
What is a VIN number?
In many respects, the VIN is the ID for your motorcycle, dirt bike or ATV. This is also true for cars. All vehicles require a VIN. The VIN appears on registrations, titles and even insurance cards but if you're like many people those papers are somewhere in some room inside some box in your house.
What is the 9th digit of a VIN?
The ninth digit is an accuracy check and verifies the previous characters as authorized by the manufacturer. The 10th digit is a year code, the 11th is a factory code and finally the 12th to 17th digits represent the serial number. You can order a VIN check through DMV.org for $25, useful for past accident history, ...
What does the 9th digit mean on a motorcycle?
The ninth digit is an accuracy check and verifies the previous characters as authorized by the manufacturer.
What year is bikepedia useful?
Bikepedia is also useful, but mainly for confirming when you think you know a year, and only goes back to 1993. This would also include fan websites, such as for: Mongoose - uses design features and serial numbers to date.
What to say when someone gives you a bike?
However if someone gives you a bike, they might say "I remember my dad riding this to work in the 80s while I was at school".
What is the serial number of a Brompton?
For example, a Brompton uses YYMMXXX as their serial code, so a Brompton with a serial number of 1306 123456 was manufactured in 2013.06 or June 2013. Surly is another manufacturer who uses date codes, this time in their stamped frame numbers.
What is a bike head badge?
Headbadges: most early bikes had actual "badges", often quite detailed and fancy, made of metal, then plastic, and finally just using decals on the headtube. Most bikes lost their metal badges in the 60's and early 70's, although some brands still have actual badges to this day, but in general a real badge indicates an earlier model bike.
Who uses date codes?
Surly is another manufacturerwho uses date codes, this time in their stamped frame numbers.
Can a 531 decal be from the 70's?
So a frame with an original 501 decal can 't be from the 70', 531 decal doesn't help as much because of the range of years produced. Also, see Decals. *Decals: style/design, amount, placement, color, etc. can help not only determine models, but also year of manufacture.
