Like car manufacturers, Yamaha also uses unique VIN numbers to identify vehicles. A VIN number contains vital information about the vehicle, such as the motorcycle’s country of manufacture, year of production, model type, and more. In this article, we’ll tell you where to find a Yamaha VIN number, provide a step-by-step guide to decode Yamaha VIN numbers, and how to get a Yamaha vehicle history report.
Yamaha VIN Decoder
[1]Enter Yamaha VIN [2] Find detailed information.
How to decode a Yamaha VIN number
Count the digits in your Yamaha VIN number and see how many there are in this VIN code. If it’s a standard 17-digit VIN number, congrats, you can easily and quickly decode the VIN. However, if it’s a 9-digit VIN code, you have a lot of searching to do.
17-digit VIN number Decoder (Post-1981)
There are two ways to decode a Yamaha VIN number: manually or automatically. While it’s possible to manually decode a Yamaha VIN number, it can be time-consuming and difficult. To simplify the process, we suggest you consider using a Yamaha VIN decoder tool, which can quickly provide detailed information about the motorcycle based on its VIN number.
I suggest using a VIN check service because decoding a Yamaha VIN can be challenging. To properly decode it, you’ll have to search for accurate references online. Since Yamaha doesn’t provide an official VIN lookup tool, determining trustworthy websites becomes crucial. Then, each of the 17 digits carries distinct information, making it necessary to decipher them individually. For example, the initial three digits denote the WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier), which requires consulting a specific table to identify the manufacturer and country of origin. Considering the complexity of decoding 17 digits, it’s not a simple task.
However, utilizing BeenVerified, a reputable people search tool supported by Bumper and the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, streamlines this process. With just one click, you can access all the essential information associated with the VIN code.
- Go to BeenVerified VIN check.
- Enter the VIN number and search.
- Wait for a while and you’ll receive a detailed vehicle history report.
Or you can use the Yamaha club VIN lookup. You’ll have an overall idea about the Yamaha VIN check, but this tool doesn’t support a 9-digit Yamaha VIN lookup. You have to pay $29.99 for one report.
How to decode Yamaha VIN number manually
Determine what your VIN means by the order of the characters.
- The first character will tell you where your motorcycle is made.
“1” or “4” signifies it is American-made; “2” means Canada; “3” means Mexico; and Japan, Korea, England, Germany, Italy and Brazil are “J,” “K,” “S,” “W,” “Z” and “9,” respectively. - The second character represents the manufacturer. All Yamaha bikes should have “C” or “Y” there.
- Find the third digit, which identifies the division that manufactured it.
- The fourth to eighth digits identify the features of the bike.
- The ninth digit is a security key to ensure that the VIN is valid.
- The 10th digit indicates the model year.
- Digit 11 is the plant where the bike was assembled; digits 12 to 17 signify the order in which the bikes came off the assembly line.
Here are the VIN decoders for the 10th digit in the VIN = Year model
| 1980 – A | 1990 – L | 2000 – Y | 2010 – A | 2020 – L |
| 1981 – B | 1991 – M | 2001 – 1 | 2011 – B | 2021 – M |
| 1982 – C | 1992 – N | 2002 – 2 | 2012 – C | 2022 – N |
| 1983 – D | 1993 – P | 2003 – 3 | 2013 – D | 2023 – P |
| 1984 – E | 1994 – R | 2004 – 4 | 2014 – E | 2024 – R |
| 1985 – F | 1995 – S | 2005 – 5 | 2015 – F | 2025 – S |
| 1986 – G | 1996 – T | 2006 – 6 | 2016 – G | 2026 – T |
| 1987 – H | 1997 – V | 2007 – 7 | 2017 – H | 2027 – V |
| 1988 – J | 1998 – W | 2008 – 8 | 2018 – J | 2028 – W |
| 1989 – K | 1999 – X | 2009 – 9 | 2019 – K | 2029 – X |
By following these steps, owners can decode their Yamaha motorcycle’s VIN number and gain valuable insights into its history and condition.
9-digit VIN number decoder (Pre-1981)
It’s really hard to find a Yamaha VIN decoder for 9-digit VIN. Yamaha VIN codes had 9 numbers at that time and there were no VIN check services supporting 9-digit VIN checks. But don’t worry, after searching on a number of websites and forums, I finally found a 9-digit Yamaha VIN decoder!
Go to Yamaha 9-VIN decoder, enter your 9-digit VIN number without dashes (-), stars (*) or spaces and search.
Keep in mind that the accuracy of the output depends on the quality of the database it relies on. Older data might contain errors, and the developer (guggen75) of this tool noted that Yamaha may not have corrected data for all older models. It’s evident that Yamaha’s internal records for older models are less comprehensive compared to the information gathered externally by enthusiasts through research and documentation. While Yamaha is working on restoring lost data, there is still much missing or wrong.
You can also check these sites to find more information about your Yamaha motorcycle. They are great sites for RD/RZ250-350.
If you’re looking for a specific part for an older Yamaha model, this tool can help. Yamaha motorcycles made before 1981 use part numbers where the first three digits show the model that part was originally used on. Since Yamaha often uses the same parts, matching the part number to a particular model helps find more options for that part. According to the tool developer, this method is handy when searching for parts in salvage yards.
The tool’s tables link the first three digits of a Yamaha part number to the model it was first used on, covering all Yamaha models from the start of production to 1993.
The final method to decode a 9-digit Yamaha VIN is to ask a knowledgeable Yamaha dealer. The dealer may help you look this up.
Where is Yamaha’s VIN number?
Yamaha motorcycles have a VIN code that is placed on non-removable parts of the bike, and it’s important for potential buyers to verify its authenticity before purchasing.
If there are any scratches or deformations on the code, it’s recommended to use the Yamaha motorcycle VIN decoder to ensure that the number is genuine. If the code is missing or doesn’t exist, it’s best not to purchase the bike even if the price seems too good to pass up.
To locate the VIN on your Yamaha bike, there are three main places to check.
The first is on the right side of the head pipe or steering tube, where you will find a shorter code for models produced prior to 1982 and a 17-character code for models produced after 1981. The code is stamped vertically.
The second place to check is on the left side of the steering tube, where a printed card with the code and additional information can be found.
The third place to check is on the case of the motor, typically located next to or behind the clutch cover on the right side of the motor. The code is on a small pad that is facing upwards. For Yamaha XJ550 models, the code is placed left to right, while on other models, it’s front to back.
Regardless of the location, a vintage Yamaha VIN decoder can decipher any code.
Why do you need to decode a Yamaha VIN number?
It’s always good to have detailed information before making a decision, especially when buying a used one. Checking a Yamaha VIN number not only lets owners learn about the vehicle but also verify the motorcycle’s history and condition, and avoid buying a stolen motorcycle.
Luckily, we can check Yamaha VIN numbers online easily and quickly.
The benefits of running a Yamaha VIN check
- Get a build sheet of the Yamaha
- Ensuring the motorcycle is not stolen
- Verifying the motorcycle’s history and condition
- Identifying potential issues
- Making informed purchasing decisions
In summary, knowing how to decode Yamaha VIN numbers can help owners better understand their motorcycle, avoid potential issues, and make informed decisions about maintenance and repairs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, decoding the Yamaha VIN number can provide valuable information about a motorcycle’s history and specifications. Understanding the meaning of the 17-digit code can help Yamaha owners make informed decisions about maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this guide, Yamaha owners can easily decode their VIN numbers and gain a better understanding of their bikes. It’s essential to ensure the authenticity of the VIN number before purchasing a Yamaha motorcycle, and potential buyers should be wary of any missing or altered codes. Overall, knowing how to decode a Yamaha VIN number is a crucial skill for any Yamaha motorcycle owner or enthusiast.
FAQ
Pre-1981 Yamaha VINs consist of 9 digits, while post-1981 Yamaha motorcycle VIN codes are unique17-digit serial numbers.
References: https://forums.finalgear.com/threads/pre-1981-yamaha-vin-decoder.27584/
There’s no guarantee you’ll find the information you’re looking for with the tools discussed in this article. They all source their information from publicly available data sources, such as county, state and federal courts, government departments, and police records, and those sources may contain incorrect or incomplete data. It’s illegal to use these tools to make decisions about employment, admission, consumer credit, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. Read the Fair Credit Reporting Act to learn more....About this article
29 Revisions
Reviewed by BeenVerified
About this article
29 Revisions
Reviewed by BeenVerified
