Question about my bikes VIN number?

Gandorlf
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Gandorlf
Hello all!

Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's worried me is the 10th digit is a 'W' indicating my bike is a 1998 model.

This is not a 1998 Kawasaki frame. No chance. I'm 100% certain it's the correct frame. No doubts at all.

The previous owner bought it from an established dealership in 2015 and was kind enough to give me all his paper work (receipt of purchase, servicing,
rebuild etc) so I checked them out and the VIN checks out (with the 'W').

I've done a background check and the bike hasn't been reported stolen or anything like that

So what's up with that? Have I got a shady bike or what? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks!
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Torco1
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Torco1 6/17/2016 4:54pm
6/17/2016 4:54pm
Brent
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Brent 6/17/2016 5:03pm
6/17/2016 5:03pm Edited Date/Time 6/17/2016 5:04pm
Gandorlf wrote:
Hello all! Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's...
Hello all!

Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's worried me is the 10th digit is a 'W' indicating my bike is a 1998 model.

This is not a 1998 Kawasaki frame. No chance. I'm 100% certain it's the correct frame. No doubts at all.

The previous owner bought it from an established dealership in 2015 and was kind enough to give me all his paper work (receipt of purchase, servicing,
rebuild etc) so I checked them out and the VIN checks out (with the 'W').

I've done a background check and the bike hasn't been reported stolen or anything like that

So what's up with that? Have I got a shady bike or what? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks!
How many digits in your Vin?

It should be 16 or 17 digits, like most Kawi four strokes

I've never seen a "W" on any aluminum framed KXF - there is an "M" however. I wonder if the frame has been replaced with a non standard frame?
Gandorlf
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Gandorlf 6/17/2016 5:17pm
6/17/2016 5:17pm
Brent wrote:
How many digits in your Vin? It should be 16 or 17 digits, like most Kawi four strokes I've never seen a "W" on any aluminum...
How many digits in your Vin?

It should be 16 or 17 digits, like most Kawi four strokes

I've never seen a "W" on any aluminum framed KXF - there is an "M" however. I wonder if the frame has been replaced with a non standard frame?
The VIN is 17 digits long as it should be. Honestly I'm so confused, when I use a VIN checker Motoxtombo suggested it comes up as a 1998 Kawasaki 250F, they didn't even manufacture KXF250's back then did they?

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Bennett59
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Bennett59 6/17/2016 5:26pm
6/17/2016 5:26pm
If it was a race bike from a team or so vin could be anything but 98 frames where green tube frames also not alum twin spar. Maybe right down the whole vin see if missing something
Gandorlf
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Gandorlf 6/17/2016 5:33pm
6/17/2016 5:33pm
Gandorlf wrote:
Hello all! Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's...
Hello all!

Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's worried me is the 10th digit is a 'W' indicating my bike is a 1998 model.

This is not a 1998 Kawasaki frame. No chance. I'm 100% certain it's the correct frame. No doubts at all.

The previous owner bought it from an established dealership in 2015 and was kind enough to give me all his paper work (receipt of purchase, servicing,
rebuild etc) so I checked them out and the VIN checks out (with the 'W').

I've done a background check and the bike hasn't been reported stolen or anything like that

So what's up with that? Have I got a shady bike or what? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks!
My thoughts exactly. I know a 90's Kawi frame and this ain't one of them. What I have is an aluminium frame.

Is it possible the frame has been re-stamped? Or like you say from a team?

Is it safe to share the whole VIN on here or is that a bad idea?
mmitoptech
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mmitoptech 6/17/2016 6:03pm
6/17/2016 6:03pm
Share the VIN, if you have the title!
Motoxtombo
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Motoxtombo 6/17/2016 6:23pm
6/17/2016 6:23pm
Take a photo of the vin stamped in the frame and post it here if you want,maybe its a miss stamped frame,does the frame vin match the paperwork exactly?
disbanded
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disbanded 6/17/2016 6:28pm
6/17/2016 6:28pm
This is exactly why I never research things
Sir Roostsalot 6/17/2016 6:43pm
6/17/2016 6:43pm
W is just M upside down, probably had a saki lunch.
Gandorlf
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Gandorlf 6/18/2016 2:14am
6/18/2016 2:14am
I'll go out to the yard in a bit and take a photo of VIN. The VIN matches the paperwork (I think, will confirm)
Gandorlf
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Gandorlf 6/19/2016 11:58am
6/19/2016 11:58am
Here's the VIN, matches paperwork.



tcannon521 6/19/2016 1:25pm
6/19/2016 1:25pm
Pet peeve:

Vin = Vehicle Identification Number

When you say Vin Number it doesn't make sense Cool
Gandorlf
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Gandorlf 6/19/2016 3:24pm
6/19/2016 3:24pm
tcannon521 wrote:
Pet peeve:

Vin = Vehicle Identification Number

When you say Vin Number it doesn't make sense Cool
Sorry dude, I'm new to the forums Smile I'll take a mental note!
TW85
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TW85 6/19/2016 3:36pm
6/19/2016 3:36pm
The 10th digit should be a 9 for a 2009 model year bike. That's not something that changes between manufacturers, it is always done that way. Like you said W would indicate a 1998 model year...something doesn't make sense to be honest.

TripleFive 6/19/2016 4:36pm
6/19/2016 4:36pm
The W stands for World Trade Center Building 7.

Open your eyes, sheeple.

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Beast666
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Beast666 6/19/2016 5:18pm
6/19/2016 5:18pm
That VIN is not a standard VIN as the 9th digit is a check digit and can only be 0-9 or X The first 5 digits look to be correct digits 6-8 do not look proper as it should be MWC not 250.

It is possible that the frame was replaced and that is a mfg assigned VIN on the frame if so the title should have a notation that states that the VIN has been changed.
Kartwheel84c 6/19/2016 5:33pm
6/19/2016 5:33pm
VIN numbers can not be changed with a replacement frame. The dealership has to stamp the same number into the replacement frame as the original and you have to show proof that the original frame was destroyed.

I agree that there seems to be something odd going on with that frame as the VIN format is not dictated by the manufacturer, its a governmental regulation.
Kx125rider 6/19/2016 6:04pm
6/19/2016 6:04pm
disbanded wrote:
This is exactly why I never research things
Haha! Me either
FGR01
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FGR01 6/19/2016 8:04pm
6/19/2016 8:04pm
Check OP's location. Great Britain. Many of you are applying United States VIN standard format rules to a non-US Spec bike.
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Beast666
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Beast666 6/19/2016 11:38pm
6/19/2016 11:38pm
Gandorlf wrote:
Hello all! Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's...
Hello all!

Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's worried me is the 10th digit is a 'W' indicating my bike is a 1998 model.

This is not a 1998 Kawasaki frame. No chance. I'm 100% certain it's the correct frame. No doubts at all.

The previous owner bought it from an established dealership in 2015 and was kind enough to give me all his paper work (receipt of purchase, servicing,
rebuild etc) so I checked them out and the VIN checks out (with the 'W').

I've done a background check and the bike hasn't been reported stolen or anything like that

So what's up with that? Have I got a shady bike or what? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks!
Try to get a new frame out of Honda you have to submit to them proof of the old VIN or engine number then they will send a replacement with a new Mfg. Issued number that is reported to the DMV.
Beast666
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Beast666 6/19/2016 11:41pm
6/19/2016 11:41pm
Gandorlf wrote:
Hello all! Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's...
Hello all!

Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's worried me is the 10th digit is a 'W' indicating my bike is a 1998 model.

This is not a 1998 Kawasaki frame. No chance. I'm 100% certain it's the correct frame. No doubts at all.

The previous owner bought it from an established dealership in 2015 and was kind enough to give me all his paper work (receipt of purchase, servicing,
rebuild etc) so I checked them out and the VIN checks out (with the 'W').

I've done a background check and the bike hasn't been reported stolen or anything like that

So what's up with that? Have I got a shady bike or what? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks!
Kawasaki VIN meet ISO standards so they are all the same format worldwide.
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FGR01
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FGR01 6/20/2016 12:41pm
6/20/2016 12:41pm
Gandorlf wrote:
Hello all! Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's...
Hello all!

Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's worried me is the 10th digit is a 'W' indicating my bike is a 1998 model.

This is not a 1998 Kawasaki frame. No chance. I'm 100% certain it's the correct frame. No doubts at all.

The previous owner bought it from an established dealership in 2015 and was kind enough to give me all his paper work (receipt of purchase, servicing,
rebuild etc) so I checked them out and the VIN checks out (with the 'W').

I've done a background check and the bike hasn't been reported stolen or anything like that

So what's up with that? Have I got a shady bike or what? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks!
Beast666 wrote:
Kawasaki VIN meet ISO standards so they are all the same format worldwide.
"Compatible but somewhat different implementations of these ISO standards have been adopted by the European Union and the United States of America..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number



GouldRacing25
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GouldRacing25 6/20/2016 12:57pm
6/20/2016 12:57pm
tcannon521 wrote:
Pet peeve:

Vin = Vehicle Identification Number

When you say Vin Number it doesn't make sense Cool
Gandorlf wrote:
Sorry dude, I'm new to the forums Smile I'll take a mental note!
Pet peeve:

I hate when people feel the need to post some useless crap when someone is looking for help.

You clearly know what he's asking for so who cares!
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TailSoHard
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TailSoHard 6/20/2016 1:46pm
6/20/2016 1:46pm
I check ORV VINs all day long. Some follow the 10th digit rule, but not all of them do. Easiest way to do it is to call a Kawasaki dealer and have them run the VIN through their dealer system. Takes 5 minutes tops.

The only thing I can think is that they omit some characters from VINs in order to avoid any confusion when reading them (like "O", "I", "S", etc.). This means that they could potentially be back at the "W". The computer system we use will automatically populate what make/model a bike is when the VIN is entered. Some bikes will enter in as a 1985 instead of a 2005 because they have the same 10th digit. So, since it's been almost 20 years since 1998, it makes sense that they would have made the full revolution around the alphabet and are back at "W" again. But I could be wrong... that's just what I've been told over the years.
TailSoHard
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TailSoHard 6/20/2016 1:51pm
6/20/2016 1:51pm
Gandorlf wrote:
Hello all! Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's...
Hello all!

Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's worried me is the 10th digit is a 'W' indicating my bike is a 1998 model.

This is not a 1998 Kawasaki frame. No chance. I'm 100% certain it's the correct frame. No doubts at all.

The previous owner bought it from an established dealership in 2015 and was kind enough to give me all his paper work (receipt of purchase, servicing,
rebuild etc) so I checked them out and the VIN checks out (with the 'W').

I've done a background check and the bike hasn't been reported stolen or anything like that

So what's up with that? Have I got a shady bike or what? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks!
Correcting myself, they use numbers too. So I have no idea now lol



Beast666
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Beast666 6/20/2016 1:59pm
6/20/2016 1:59pm
Gandorlf wrote:
Hello all! Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's...
Hello all!

Last month I picked up a lovely 2009 KX250F, due to boredom (poor weather) I decided to look up my bikes VIN number. What's worried me is the 10th digit is a 'W' indicating my bike is a 1998 model.

This is not a 1998 Kawasaki frame. No chance. I'm 100% certain it's the correct frame. No doubts at all.

The previous owner bought it from an established dealership in 2015 and was kind enough to give me all his paper work (receipt of purchase, servicing,
rebuild etc) so I checked them out and the VIN checks out (with the 'W').

I've done a background check and the bike hasn't been reported stolen or anything like that

So what's up with that? Have I got a shady bike or what? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks!
Beast666 wrote:
Kawasaki VIN meet ISO standards so they are all the same format worldwide.
FGR01 wrote:
"Compatible but somewhat different implementations of these ISO standards have been adopted by the European Union and the United States of America..." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/06/20/140334/s1200_VIN.jpg[/img]
"Compatible but somewhat different implementations of these ISO standards have been adopted by the European Union and the United States of America..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number



If you look further down that link it shows that the 10th digit is standard worldwide. If the vin is valid it would be 9 for an 09 model year.
aFACEdismembered 6/20/2016 2:03pm
6/20/2016 2:03pm
tcannon521 wrote:
Pet peeve:

Vin = Vehicle Identification Number

When you say Vin Number it doesn't make sense Cool
ATM machine
Hot Water Heater

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