Motorcycle VIN Location Guide: Find It on Any Bike

Unlike cars, motorcycles don't have a dashboard VIN. Here's exactly where to look on cruisers, sportbikes, and ATVs.

On a car, finding the VIN is easy—just look through the windshield. On a motorcycle, it's a scavenger hunt. Manufacturers hide them behind wire harnesses, under heavy rust, or tucked beneath fairings.

Finding the VIN is the first step to buying a bike. If you can't find it, or if it looks tampered with, do not buy the bike.

Here are the 4 most common spots to check.

Common VIN Locations

The Steering Head (Neck)

This is the standard location for 90% of street bikes.

Where to look:Turn the handlebars all the way to the left. Look at the vertical metal tube (the "Neck") where the front forks connect to the main frame.

What to look for:A metal plate riveted to the frame OR the numbers stamped directly into the steel.

Look at the right side of the steering neck tube, just below where the handlebars connect to the frame.

Common on:Harley-DavidsonHondaYamahaKawasakiSuzuki

The Front Down Tubes

If the steering neck is clean, look lower.

Where to look:Follow the frame rails down from the handlebars towards the engine.

What to look for:A sticker or plate attached to the vertical frame rails, often near the radiator or exhaust headers.

Common on:Older CruisersATVsDirt Bikes

Under the Seat or Airbox

On modern scooters and some sportbikes with heavy plastic fairings, the frame is hidden.

Where to look:Pop the seat off. Look for a sticker on the sub-frame or on the plastic panels covering the airbox.

Pro Tip

On scooters, the VIN sticker is often hidden in the underseat storage compartment. Check the walls and floor of the storage area.

Common on:ScootersVespaHonda RuckusSome Ducatis

Motor Mounts or Swingarm Pivot

Less common, but some manufacturers stamp the VIN near structural mounting points.

Where to look:Check where the engine bolts to the frame, or near the swingarm pivot point on the frame backbone.

Common on:Custom BuildsOlder European BikesSome ATVs

Critical Warning

Frame VIN vs. Engine Number

Motorcycles have two serial numbers. Confusing them is a common mistake that can lead to buying a bike with a hidden history.

FRAME VIN (Use This)

• 17 characters
• Stamped on the FRAME
• Usually on steering neck
• The bike's legal identity
• Use for history checks

ENGINE NUMBER (Not This)

• Variable length
• Stamped on ENGINE CASE
• Near cylinders or crankcase
• May be from a different bike
• Engine swaps are common

THE ENGINE SWAP TRAP

On a used bike, the engine might have been swapped. If you check the engine number instead of the frame VIN, you aren't checking the bike's actual history. Always use the number on the FRAME (steering neck) for your history check.

Red Flags

Red Flag: Missing or Scratched VINs

If the VIN plate is missing, scratched off, or painted over so heavily you can't read it: Walk Away.

Thieves often grind off VIN numbers to sell stolen bikes. Buying a bike with a defaced VIN is a felony in many states, and the bike can be seized by police immediately—even if you paid for it legitimately.

Signs of VIN Tampering:

• Grind marks or scratches on the steering neck
• Fresh paint or welding near the VIN area
• VIN plate with loose or mismatched rivets
• Numbers that don't match between locations

Found the VIN? Run It Immediately.

Check if the bike has been reported stolen, salvaged, or has open recalls.

CHECK MOTORCYCLE VIN

Brand Guide

Brand-Specific VIN Locations

Harley-Davidson: Always on the right side of the steering neck (stamped) AND on the front down tube (sticker).

Ducati: Often dot-peen stamped on the right side of the steering head, sometimes covered by clutch cables.

Honda / Yamaha (Sportbikes): Right side of the steering neck, but often hidden slightly by the fairing stay bracket.

BMW: Left side of the steering head on most models. Also on a sticker under the seat.

Indian: Right side of steering neck, similar to Harley. Also on a plate on the frame backbone.

Triumph: Steering head, right side. Modern bikes also have a sticker visible through the fairing.

Pro Tip

If you can't find the VIN on a specific model, check the owner's manual or search "[Year] [Make] [Model] VIN location" online. Forums often have photos showing exact locations.

Next Steps

Found It? Decode It.

Now that you have the 17 characters, make sure they match the seller's title exactly. One wrong digit can mean buying a bike with a lien or a salvage history.

Decode Your Motorcycle VIN

Enter the VIN to check recalls, specs, and verify it hasn't been reported stolen.

Related: Learn more about motorcycle VIN decoding and safety checks on our Motorcycle VIN Check page →

Where to Find the VIN on Any Motorcycle