VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) Information This information is about USA released Kawasaki dirt bikes. It may not apply to some models made before the early 1980's. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is stamped into the frame's head tube, which is located behind the headlight / front numberplate. The VIN code is 17 digits long. The first digit is the country code, which is J for Japan. The second digit is the company code, which is K for Kawasaki. The third digit is the vehicle type or manufacturing division. I have seen "A" on various KDX and KX models. The fourth through eigth digits show various features and styles of the vehicle. An example is "DXMD1" for the 1991 - 1994 KDX250's. The ninth digit is a VIN accuracy check digit. As stated on the back of some manuals, "This digit in the frame number changes from one machine to another." The tenth digit is the model year. This does not indicate that the bike was manufactured that calendar year, but that model year. To help prevent confusion, the letters I, O, Q, U and Z are not used. For example, is that the letter "I" or the number "1", is that the letter "Z" or the number "2"? Below is a list of letters and numbers, along with the matching year: A = 1980 B = 1981 C = 1982 D = 1983 E = 1984 F = 1985 G = 1986 H = 1987 J = 1988 K = 1989 L = 1990 M = 1991 N = 1992 P = 1993 R = 1994 S = 1995 T = 1996 V = 1997 W = 1998 X = 1999 Y = 2000 1 = 2001 2 = 2002 3 = 2003 4 = 2004 5 = 2005 6 = 2006 7 = 2007 8 = 2008 9 = 2009 The list then repeats with A = 2010 and so on
