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Motorcycles & scooters

Motorcycle VIN search

Used bikes change hands often, crash more easily and get stolen more than cars. A motorcycle VIN search decodes the bike and checks its title brands, salvage-auction sales, theft-related records and recalls, so you know what you're buying before you hand over cash.

Search a motorcycle VIN

Works for any 17-character VIN: street bikes, cruisers, dual-sports and scooters from 1981 on.

Free preview first. Full report $19.99 one-time.

Where to find a motorcycle VIN

  • Steering head (neck): stamped on the frame where the forks attach. This is the main location on most bikes.
  • Frame sticker or plate near the steering head or on a frame downtube.
  • Engine case: carries a separate engine number. On many bikes it shares part of the VIN.
  • Title and registration, which must match the frame exactly.
Ground-down, re-stamped or uneven characters on the steering head, or a frame sticker that's missing or replaced, are red flags for a stolen or rebuilt bike.

What a motorcycle VIN tells you

PositionsMeaning
1–3World manufacturer identifier (WMI): country and maker, e.g. JH2 = Honda motorcycles, 1HD = Harley-Davidson
4–8Model, engine size, body or frame type
9Check digit that validates the VIN
10Model year
11Assembly plant
12–17Production sequence number

What the history report checks

  • Title brands from NMVTIS: salvage, junk, rebuilt, flood and others
  • Insurance total losses and salvage-auction sales, often with photos of the damage
  • Odometer readings at title events
  • Recalls for the model from NHTSA
  • Title history across states

Before you buy a used motorcycle

  1. Match the VIN on the steering head with the title and the seller's ID.
  2. Run the VIN and look for salvage sales or total losses. Many crashed bikes are bought at auction and rebuilt.
  3. Check open recalls with the dealer, since recall repairs are free.
  4. Inspect the frame, forks and triple clamps for bends or weld repairs, and take a test ride.

Frequently asked questions

Can I check a motorcycle's history by VIN?
Yes. Motorcycles from 1981 onward have a 17-character VIN, and title brands, salvage-auction records and recalls are tracked by VIN the same way as for cars.
Where is the VIN on a motorcycle?
Usually stamped on the steering head (the frame neck) and on a sticker nearby. The engine has its own number.
Does the report show if a bike was stolen?
The report includes theft-related title records where states report them. For a definitive answer on a bike you're about to buy, also check the free NICB VINCheck service and ask the police if anything looks off.