Last Updated on January 3, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim
Yes, like other vehicles motorcycles also have VIN numbers. VIN number is a 17-digit number and it helps to identify a vehicle. The VIN number consists of numbers and letters.
Key Takeaways
- A VIN number contains various information like model, year of a motorcycle, manufacturer, engine size, country of origin, etc.
- You can find the VIN number of your motorcycle on the frame of the motorcycle
- Some motorcycles have their VIN number on the engine or other parts of the motorcycle
- The first three characters of the VIN identify the manufacturer of the vehicle
Vin Numbers
| Characters | Description |
| 1 | Country |
| 2 | Manufacturer |
| 3 | Vehicle type |
| 4 | Body type |
| 5 | Engine |
| 6 | Series |
| 7 | Restraint |
| 8 | Model |
| 9 | Check digit |
| 10 | Model Year |
| 11 | Plant |
| 12-17 | The serial number of the vehicle |
What Are The Vin Numbers?
According to the acronym, it is the vehicle identification number and it is a unique code for any vehicle. In particular, this code is used for mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, towed vehicles, and individual motor vehicles.
It is also an international code that is used in much of the world. In particular, the first three characters make up a certain code indicating the country of manufacture of the vehicle.
The chassis number is part of the entire vehicle identification number. That is why each of these numbers is often considered to be the same. The rest of the characters in this code allow the identification of the main unique characteristics of each vehicle.
The VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number and is located on the frame of your motorcycle.
Motorcycle VIN numbers are very important in identifying the bike. You can easily find out what kind of motorcycle it is, learn about its specifications, and check the insurance information.
The first three letters indicate the manufacturer of the bike, followed by a number that indicates its model year. The last letter indicates the country where it was manufactured.
VIN numbers are so important in the motorcycle industry. The VIN is a unique identification number that uniquely identifies each and every motorcycle in the world and helps law enforcement officers in case of an accident or theft.
The VIN number consists of 17 characters including letters, numbers, and symbols – A-Z; 0-9; and “-” (dash).
Motorcycles are the most popular type of vehicle in the United States. If you own one, you will need to know your VIN number. There are various reasons why you need to know this number. It could be because someone has stolen your motorcycle or it is essential for some other reason such as buying a replacement part.
What are the Differences Between a Manufacturer’s and a Retailer’s VIN Number?
A VIN number is a 17-digit number that is assigned to either a vehicle manufacturer or its distributor. By law, it is required to be on the vehicle’s chassis.
Differentiating between manufacturers and distributors can be difficult by just looking at the VIN number since they both have 17 digits. To distinguish between them, you need to look at what comes before the 7th digit which indicates the manufacturer of this vehicle.
Manufacturers use “1” as their first digit while distributors use “0”.
- When a new car goes into production, the manufacturer creates a unique set of numbers which are referred to as the VIN. At this point, the VIN is used as a serial number for the particular car. But when a car leaves the factory, it then undergoes lots of changes before it finally gets to you and your family.
- The vehicle gets its first set of changes after it has been sold and begins its life as a retail vehicle (called the RIN).
- Manufacturer VIN numbers can be up to 17 digits long
- There is no hyphen in the VIN numbers – A-16-7
- The first letter of the second word of the VIN number determines the country of origin – W = U.S., O = Canada
- The middle letter determines whether it is for passenger cars or commercial use – R = passenger car, C = commercial use
- The vehicle identification number VIN is a 17-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to a particular vehicle. This includes the 10 digits in the serial number and the 3-digit production sequence, which starts from 0001.
- The retailer’s VIN is assigned when they buy a car from an auto dealer, and it is unique to that dealership only. The retailer’s VIN can vary from its manufacturer’s VIN.
When a car is sold, the manufacturer and the retailer both assign a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to it. This number (or code) is unique and identifies the vehicle to dealerships and customers.
The VIN number is also used for identification purposes at many junctions along the way during production, distribution, and sales. It helps make sure that cars are not stolen or diverted from one dealer to another.
The retail VIN number is usually a sticker or embossed label on the front of the vehicle’s windshield. The manufacturing VIN number, which is also referred to as a serial number, is found on the vehicle’s title.
How Does the VIN Number Make It Easier for Motorcycle Owners to Return Their Vehicles?
The VIN number is a 17-digit alphanumeric identifier that is used for the identification of an automobile. The VIN number allows the seller to know whether the vehicle they are selling has been titled, stolen, or salvaged.
Motorcycle owners have an easier time returning their bikes when they have the VIN number since they do not need to go through the hassle of looking up their status in any database.
The name VinSeller was coined because it helps buyers and sellers by providing a platform where sellers can sell their items using their VIN numbers.
How Does the Department of Motor Vehicles Check if Your Vehicle Has an Out-of-State or Foreign VIN Number?
One way to do this is by running an online search and cross-checking the VIN number against a list of known out-of-state and foreign VIN numbers.
An alternative method for checking an out-of-state or foreign VIN number is using the “Export Vehicle Identification Number” tool on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website.
When you use this tool, it will help you to get a list of all the state and federal VINs that are listed in your vehicle’s title or registration. You can then check these numbers against the list of out-of-state and foreign VINs to see if your vehicle has one.
What is Your State’s Law Regarding Tagging When You Sell a Vehicle with an Out-of-State or Foreign VIN Number?
In some states, it is illegal to sell a vehicle with an out-of-state or foreign VIN number to a buyer. In other states, there are no specific laws prohibiting this practice.
In order to avoid legal complications, make sure you know the law in your state before you sell a vehicle with an out-of-state or foreign VIN number.
In most states, it is illegal to sell a vehicle with an out-of-state or foreign VIN number if the buyer is not a registered owner of that VIN at the current time. This means that if someone bought your car knowing that it had an out-of-state or foreign VIN number and then sold it without registering the car in their name, they would be breaking the law. Some of these states
This is a question that many sellers face when they sell a vehicle with an out-of-state or foreign VIN number. While there is no law in regard to this, there are some practices that can come into play.
It is important to know your state’s law and what you should do if you run into trouble.
References:
https://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/shopping-guides/where-is-the-vin-on-a-motorcycle
https://itstillruns.com/read-motorcycle-vin-number-5003783.html
Hi, I’m Leepu Da Maxim, a dedicated car enthusiast with over 10 years of experience in this field, and I’m thrilled to share my passion and expertise with fellow car enthusiasts like you. My journey began in my hometown West Jordan, Utah, where my fascination with the mechanics and design of cars sparked at a young age. Over the years, this passion has evolved into a commitment to providing accurate, insightful, and engaging information about all things automotive through CarsAmazing.
