- What you'll get from BMW K1 VIN check?
- Characters 1-3 of a BMW K1 motorcycle VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a BMW K1 motorcycle
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a BMW K1 motorcycle VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a BMW K1 motorcycle VIN.
- 10th Character in the BMW K1 motorcycle VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the BMW K1 motorcycle VIN — Plant Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW K1 motorcycle
- How to find a BMW K1's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW K1
What you’ll get from BMW K1 VIN check?
The below is an example of a BMW K1 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 being 1991, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the motorcycle.
- Body Class: The VIN may indicate that the motorcycle is classified as a Motorcycle - Standard, which suggests a particular style and intended usage.
- Engine Specifications: From the VIN, one can learn about the engine specifications, including a displacement of 986 CC (or 60.2 cubic inches), 95 horsepower, a four-cylinder layout, and it operates on a four-stroke cycle, pointing to its performance characteristics.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the motorcycle, as possibly indicated by the VIN, is gasoline, which informs on the engine’s compatibility and efficiency.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN might reveal that the motorcycle was manufactured in Berlin, Germany, giving insight into its origin and potentially affecting its design and engineering standards.
- Vehicle Type and Specifications: The VIN can possibly encode basic motorcycle model information, indicating that the model is a K1 from the K 589 series, which helps in identifying the exact model and its specifications.
- Safety Features: Through the VIN, one could learn about the inclusion of an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as a standard feature, underlining the vehicle’s commitment to rider safety.
How to decode a BMW K1 motorcycle VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW K1 motorcycle VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. This code forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a 17-character serial number used to identify individual motor vehicles. For the BMW K1, the WMI is integral in distinguishing it as a product of BMW, indicating its manufacturing origin and brand identity. The WMI not only verifies the manufacturer but also provides essential information regarding the country of assembly and the vehicle type. This standardized identification system is critical for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW K1 motorcycle
WMI: WB1
- Model Years Covered: 1991
- Example VIN: WB1053508M6365490
- Manufacturer Name: BMW
- Vehicle Type: Motorcyle - Standard
- City: Berlin
- State or Province:
- Country: Germany
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a BMW K1 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 BMW K1 motorcycle:
| Known VDS for a BMW K1 |
|---|
| 05350 |
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 BMW K1 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 BMW K1 motorcycle VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 1991 |
11th Character in the BMW K1 motorcycle VIN — Plant Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Berlin | Germany | WB1053508M6365490 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW K1 motorcycle
The final 6 characters in a BMW K1 motorcycle’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your motorcycle?
How to find a BMW K1’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW K1 motorcycle is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the steering head or the frame near the steering area of your BMW K1; this is a common place where the VIN is stamped or affixed.
- Check under the seat of your BMW K1, as manufacturers often place a VIN sticker or plate in this area for easy access.
- Look on the engine itself, as the VIN might also be stamped onto the engine casing of your BMW K1.
- For motorcycles like the BMW K1, the VIN can sometimes be found on the inside of the fairing; check around the headlight or in other accessible spots when you remove part of the fairing.
Don’t have your BMW K1’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW K1
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| vehicle_descriptor | WB105350*M6 |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Body Class | Motorcycle - Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 986.5012528 |
| Displacement (CI) | 60.2 |
| Displacement (L) | 0.9865012528 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 95 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Engine Stroke Cycles | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less) |
| Model | K1 |
| Model Year | 1991 |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Plant State | Berlin |
| Series | K 589 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WB105350*M6 |
| Vehicle Type | Motorcycle |
| vin | WB1053508M6365490 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any BMW K1 for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a BMW K1 motorcycle?
On most BMW vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a BMW K1 motorcycle's history for free?
Enter the BMW K1 motorcycle’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do BMW K1 motorcycle VIN numbers start with?
BMW K1 motorcycle VIN's start with WB1 for vehicles manufactured by BMW in Germany. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the BMW K1 motorcycle.
Decode a BMW VIN
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