Motorcycle VIN Decoder & Lookup: VIN check any bike, scooter, or ATV
Motorcycle history report by VIN number
How to use the VIN Decoder
- Type your motorcycle’s VIN into the Enter VIN number field.
- Click Decode VIN.
What is a motorcycle VIN number?
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Decoding the motorcycle VIN number
Motorcycle VIN numbers use the same format as car VINs: a combination of 17 characters that can be separated into multiple sections for decoding. Let’s look at the different sections of the vehicle identification number:
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first 3 characters of a VIN represent the WMI code that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a motorcycle:- The 1st character shows the country in which the motorcycle was built. Characters in this spot range from numbers to letters, and each country has a unique character representing it.
- The 2nd character shows the brand’s name. For example, "Y" stands for "Yamaha," "S" for "Suzuki," "K" or "S" for "Kawasaki."
- The 3rd is the manufacturer’s division or motorcycle’s type (ATV, scooter, superbike, dirt bike, etc.).
Vehicle Description Section (VDS)
The next 5 characters create the Vehicle Description Section, revealing most details about the motorcycle. The VDS reveals the brand, engine size, type, and frame style. The meaning and placement of characters in this section depend on the manufacturer.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
The Vehicle Identifier Section consists of the last 8 characters and tells us the model year, assembly plant, and unique serial number of a motorcycle.When buying a used motorcycle, you can always check the 10th character, which reveals the model year: "1", "2", and other upcoming numbers represent years "2001", "2002", etc. The letter "A" stands for "2010" while "B" is "2011", etc.
Check digit
The security check digit is necessary to ensure the VIN is legitimate. This digit results from a special mathematical operation that puts all other VIN characters into a formula. The VIN number is incorrect or fake if the result doesn’t match the check digit. VIN decoders perform this operation during a VIN check.How to find my motorcycle’s VIN
VIN number locations on motorcycles differ by manufacturer, but you should find them near the headstock (steering neck), on a frame rail, or, on rare occasions, on the bottom of the engine.Don’t forget to check the motorcycle’s registration and insurance papers because they also include the VIN. Make sure numbers in documents and on the motorcycle match.
What information do the VIN Decoder and motorcycle history report provide?
- Mileage rollbacks
- Theft records
- Damages (sometimes with photos)
- Registration and inspection dates
- Owner changes
- Motorcycle’s title info
- Specific model problems and recalls
What is the difference between a free motorcycle VIN check and a full history report?
Why is checking the motorcycle VIN number important?
Motorcycles crash, get stolen, scammers tamper with their mileage, and more. No one wants to overpay for damaged goods. More importantly, you want to make sure the bike you’re buying is safe, and a motorcycle VIN check will help you.
While a free motorcycle VIN check helps to determine that the VIN is genuine (and confirms other basic details), a full history report reveals various legal and physical issues and lets you evaluate potential expenses.
Many used motorcycle buyers are seduced by the low prices of motorcycles with salvage titles. Experts agree that buying a damaged bike is fine if you know what the damage was and, if it’s repaired – how good the repairs are. Replacing damaged parts and panels is easy, but frame damages are the worst and often not worth repairing.
Frequently asked questions
Car history report
Avoid costly problems by checking a car's history. Just enter the VIN and get a full report.
Trusted by 6,000,000+ people across 38 countries
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