Free Honda VF500F Motorcycle VIN Decoder

How to decode a Honda VF500F motorcycle VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Honda VF500F motorcycle VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code assigned to automotive manufacturers, forming the initial section of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code is fundamental in identifying the vehicle’s country of origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. For a Honda VF500F, the WMI provides crucial data about the motorbike, including its manufacture under the Honda brand, and signifies it as a product with specific characteristics defined by its origin and company standards. This identifier is invaluable for registration, identification, and regulatory purposes, giving every vehicle a unique and traceable footprint in the automotive world. Hence, the WMI serves as a global standard for simplifying the classification and recognition of motor vehicles universally.

List of WMI Codes for a Honda VF500F motorcycle

WMI: JH2

• Model Years Covered: 1985-1986
• Example VIN: JH2PC1203FM105973
• Manufacturer Name: Honda
• Vehicle Type: Motorcyle - Dual Sport / Adventure / Supermoto / On/Off-road
• City: Kumamoto
• State or Province: Kikuchi
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Honda VF500F motorcycle VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a Honda VF500F motorcycle:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Honda VF500F motorcycle VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the Honda VF500F motorcycle VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Honda VF500F motorcycle VIN — Plant Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Honda VF500F motorcycle

The final 6 characters in a Honda VF500F motorcycle’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a Honda VF500F VIN reveal?

The below is an example of a Honda VF500F Motorcycle’s available specs based on its VIN, referencing the motorcycle in the table below:

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1985, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN may identify the vehicle as a Motorcycle with a Sport body class, indicating the design and intended use of the motorcycle.
• Engine Specifications: The engine’s specifications could be indicated, including a 498 cc displacement, 66 hp, and a 4-cylinder configuration, which highlights the motorcycle’s performance capabilities. The fuel type could be specified as Gasoline, offering insight into fuel compatibility.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN might reveal manufacturing details, including the city of Hamamatsu, the state of Shizuoka, and the country Japan, giving a glimpse into the vehicle’s origin. The plant company name, such as HAMAMATSU FACTORY, may further pinpoint the manufacturing facility.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN could suggest that the motorcycle falls into Class 1A, indicating it has a gross vehicle weight of 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less), which impacts its categorization for licensing and regulation.
• Model Identification: The model, identified possibly as VF500F, is provided by the VIN, offering essential details for identifying the motorcycle model and its specifications.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Honda VF500F