Motorcycle VIN structure
Motorcycle VINs follow the same 17-digit standard since 1981, but the 30-year year code cycle creates a generation trap: the letter B means both 1981 and 2011 — always cross-check the code against the bike's visible generation. Older bikes use shorter serials that no online tool accepts.
WMI — the first three characters
| Brand | WMI prefixes |
|---|---|
| Harley-Davidson | 1HD / 5HD (USA), 932 (Brazil) |
| Honda | JH2 (motorcycles; 1HF for US-built scooters/ATVs) |
| Yamaha | JY1/JY3/JY4 (motorcycles; 5Y3 for US ATV lines) |
| Kawasaki | JKA/JKB (motorcycles; JK8 for side-by-sides) |
| Suzuki | JS1 (motorcycles; JS2 for US-built) |
| Ducati | ZDM (Italy) |
| BMW Motorrad | WB10/WB20 (motorcycles) |
| Triumph | SMT (Thailand/UK) |
| KTM | VBK (Austria) |
| Indian/Polaris | 57T (USA) |
Model year — the 10th character
⚠️ The 10th-digit code repeats every 30 years. B = 1981 or 2011, K = 1989 or 2019. A 2011-letter on a visibly-2000s bike is NOT fraud — match generation first. See the full VIN year chart.
Options and packages
Motorcycle options (trim, colour, packages) are not encoded in the VIN. Build data lives with the marque's dealer network and owner portals.
Build sheet channels for Motorcycle
| Channel | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marque dealer | Free–varies | The standard channel for bike build data |
| NICB VINCheck | Free | Theft/salvage check for US bikes — complementary to decoding |
| State title history | Varies by state | Often the only history source for older bikes |
Full comparison across all brands: build sheet channels & prices.
Known decode traps
- Title year vs model year mismatches are common on imports; the VIN year code usually reflects the model year of the market it was built for.
- No-title bikes: the Vermont mail-in registration route is the community workaround — verify current rules.
- Pre-1981 bikes (13-digit and shorter serials) are rejected by every 17-digit tool — see the 13-digit guide.
Recalls and this brand
Motorcycle recall lookups via NHTSA cover 1981+ bikes; older machines predate the database.