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Motorcycles, just like other types of vehicles, are assigned a unique vehicle identification number (VIN) when they are manufactured. 

The motorcycle VIN contains specs, dimensions, and other information about the particular bike. 


The VIN is used for title, registration, and insurance purposes, and can also be used to learn about the motorcycle’s history. 

Just like other types of vehicles, you can use the motorcycle VIN to run a VIN report to find information about the bike. 

How to Check a Motorcycle VIN

The first step to looking up a motorcycle VIN is finding it. 


There are a number of locations where you can find the VIN on the motorcycle itself as well as on your ownership paperwork.

The most common place you’ll find the VIN on a motorcycle is on the VIN plate affixed to the steering stem neck of the frame. 

Alternatively, you can check your title/pink slip or motorcycle insurance policy.

Motorcycle VIN Check Options

If your motorcycle has a modern 17-character VIN number, you can use it to run a variety of VIN checks. 

You can order a vehicle history report from some of the top VHR providers to find things like:

  • Ownership history. 
  • Title status. 
  • Salvage and junk vehicle data.
  • Odometer discrepancies. 

Learn more about vehicle history reports here.

You can also decode a motorcycle VIN to find things like:

  • The year, make, model, and series of the bike. 
  • Where the bike was manufactured. 
  • Specs for the engine and transmission.
  • Additional features and information for the specific bike.

Finally, you can run a VIN check to see if the motorcycle is stolen. 

How do I check if a motorcycle is stolen by the VIN?

One way to use a motorcycle VIN is to check if the bike has ever been reported as stolen, stolen and recovered, or salvaged. 

This can come in handy if you are interested in buying a used motorcycle. 

To check if a motorcycle has been reported as stolen, visit NICB’s VINCheck Lookup and enter the 17-digit VIN: https://www.nicb.org/vincheck 

How can I check a motorcycle VIN number for free?

If you’re ordering a comprehensive vehicle history report, there will typically be a fee ranging from about $5 to $30 per report. 

However, there are some vehicle history report providers that allow you to run a report for free when you sign up for an account. 

Other ways to check a motorcycle VIN for free include: