How to Check the Manufacturing Date of a Motorcycle?
2 Answers
The methods to check the manufacturing date of a motorcycle are: 1. Check the certificate of conformity, which contains the exact manufacturing date; 2. Look at the nameplate on the frame, which displays the manufacturing date as a specific year and month. A motorcycle is a two or three-wheeled vehicle driven by a gasoline engine and steered by handlebars to control the front wheel. It is lightweight, flexible, and fast, widely used for patrol, passenger and cargo transportation, and also serves as sports equipment. Broadly speaking, motorcycles are categorized into street bikes, road racing motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, cruisers, and touring bikes, among others. A motorcycle consists of five main parts: the engine, transmission system, running gear, braking system, and electrical instrumentation equipment.
After riding motorcycles for so many years, I believe the key to checking the manufacturing date lies in the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), usually found on the front fork or the metal frame under the seat. The 10th character in this VIN, whether a letter or a number, represents the year; for example, M stands for 2021, N for 2022, and so on. I often input this into the manufacturer's official app to verify, avoiding mistakes. Once, I spotted an inconsistency in a used bike's date, immediately uncovering a scam and preventing a loss. Knowing the date helps calculate the bike's operational age, directly linking to maintenance frequency: after 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers, it's time to replace the chain or brake pads to avoid mid-ride failures. Making it a habit to check every time, along with verifying the registration or warranty documents, ensures the motorcycle remains reliable for years, extending its lifespan while saving money and ensuring safety.
