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How to read a KTM VIN# (See Post #1)

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324K views 67 replies 30 participants last post by  johnrepsol111  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
A recent posting with the question of what bike an owner had based on his VIN number, reminded me that I had for some time planned to write an explanation regarding how you can decipher the 17 letters/numbers that make up a KTM VIN#.

I have added what I put together here as a file of 3 separate pages.

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is now a world standard and is found on all vehicles. But each manufacturer has a few differences regarding how they add their info to the number. Therefore you should only use what I have here penned to decipher a KTM VIN#.

Feel free to comment, correct or ask questions and I will try to answer. (Keep in mind that I am not an employee of a KTM outfit. My KTM knowledge comes solely from 11 years of using only KTM bikes for my son's racing. I function as his main sponsor, mechanic, driver, pit crew, and more.)

NOTE: To be able to see the three documents in a readable size just click on one of them and then click again.

Also note that I have used information that is freely available on the net, combined info from a few sources, and added some of my own knowledge/what I have learned. If someone feels that by doing this I have used the information they have provided I am happy to give them credit for it. But what you see here is written by me for the sole purpose of helping KTM owners and there is no financial gain for me from this.

Feel free to copy/distribute/give away what I have here produced without asking me for acceptance or giving me any credit. (If this info helped you and you meet me at some place feel free to offer me a beer...)

NOTE! I have upgraded the attached documents to include more info:
Image
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#3 ·
A resent posting from a new member that has purchased a bike believing it was a different year to what it actually is reminded me of this: The 10'th number in the VIN# is the model year, NOT the year of manufacture. KTM starts producing their new models in the year before and sell them from approx August the year before the model year (so you can buy the first examples of the 2020 model in approx August 2019). The only way to figure out what year your bike was manufactured is by checking the little "clock" that you find on the motor casing. On the 125sx it is found around the gear lever, but I have no idea where it is on other motors. But even then it becomes a little of a guessing game as this identification only tells us when the casings were made, not when the motor was assembled...
 
#4 ·
After giving advice to a member with a 1992 KTM bike I learned that KTM still used their own frame numbering system (and not the world standard VIN#) in 1992. I had been told they finished using it in 1989. But obviously not! I will at some stage make the changes to page 3. This only means that if you have a 1992 or older KTM your number will start with the year being the first two numbers followed by the month being number 3 and 4 and there being no VIN# (9202-xxxxxx being manufactured in February 1992). Then again... there is always a chance that KTM carried on using the old system for bikes that had not changed since 1987, but any new models that were introduced from late 1987 all got a VIN#...
 
#6 ·
Hi, I am looking at buying a KTM 690 duke from 2015, according to dealer and registration papers... However, the VIN is saying it is a 2014 model? - registration papers says September 2015, and I was hoping it could be an early 2016 version engine, but i guess not :)

The VIN is VBK LDT402 EM 761378 - I looked at above attachment, but didn't find much info, except it is a 2014 model...

Any further info would be really apprciated :)
 
#7 ·
Yep. This was put together mainly for the off road bikes. But I have it in my "Things To Do" list to also include the KTM Road Bikes. Just need to get around to it...

I would expect that yours is a 2014 model that was road registered September 2015.
 
#13 ·
As KTM does not provide any insight in to how they come to each individual VIN# (When I wrote this VIN# help thread I spent many hours trying to decipher what the changes in the VIN# meant.)

If I was to have a guess I would say EX stand's for Enduro Cross and A indicates that your bike has the "A" version of the motor. (motor with start numbers 793 manufactured in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023. The 2017, 2018, 2019 motor had the start numbers 792. The 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 motor number started with 777. 2012 motor has the start number 772. In 2011 the only engine that had 772 as start number was the 350SXF as it was then the new motor that KTM had developed and only used in SX. And why am I telling you all this? Often when the engine has an upgrade that changes it's characteristics (more power, major update in one or more parts etc.) KTM will show this in the VIN# by updating digit 6. But that is often as result of improvements in the motors HP, new gear box, changes in main parts in motor. As you would have understood, this also makes KTM to change the 3 first numbers in the motor number. So if I was to have a second guess I would say that the "A" in your VIN# most likely has been there from the first 350f engine (as I have a suspicion that the upgrades that changed the three first numbers in the motor number were not directly related to the engine power and so the "A" has stayed. But if you know of a change in the 6'th number on a 350f, then feel free to correct me.
 
#16 ·
With KTM now having factories in China. India, Indonesia and Brazil It is probably time for me to update the KTM VIN# decoder... but here what I can tell you: MD2JGJ406NCXXXXXX
M: Manufacturer and country of manufacture (These 3 combined will tell us who and where) At this stage we have reason to believe that "M" means India.
D: Manufacturer and country of manufacture (These 3 combined will tell us who and where)
2: Manufacturer and country of manufacture (These 3 combined will tell us who and where)
J: Type of bike. No idea what J and G mean at this moment. Will try to find out.
G: Type of bike. No idea what J and G mean at this moment. Will try to find out.
J: Level of upgrade in motor power. In older bikes J meant first upgrade in power... but not sure here.
4: 4 stroke
0: Highway use
6: Check digit
N: Year of bike: 2022
C: Assembly plant: China (at this stage an educated guess only)
 
#18 ·
Welcome to the forum!
Your VIN# tells us as following:
VBK: KTM, Austria
MXJ: Motocross Dirt Bike. Yours is a 250SX/MX
2: 2 stroke
0: Highway use (early bikes were multipurpose and even if the bike was a MX bike in 1994, we would hardly consider it as such today... so this bike would have had lights fitted also from factory.
5: Check digit
R: Year of manufacture/assembly1994
M: Assembly plant Mattighofen in Austria
303960: Production serial number.
 
#21 ·
Welcome to the forum.

Your VIN# tells us as following:
VBK: KTM, Austria
EXJ: Enduro Cross Dirt Bike. Yours is a 250EXC
2: 2 stroke
0: Highway use (early bikes were multipurpose and even if the bike was a EXC bike in 1993, we would hardly consider it as such today... so this bike would have had lights fitted also from factory).
7: Check digit
P: Year of manufacture/assembly1993 (then again... P can also mean 2023, but if that was the case you would not have asked for what bike you have...)
M: Assembly plant Mattighofen in Austria
303010: Production serial number.

Regarding ordering parts... you will struggle to find any new OEM parts for your bike sadly, as KTM does not make them for 30 year old bikes anymore. Best I can do is give you KTM Worlds parts list for all the KTM's. KTM Motorcycle OEM Parts, KTM World as sometimes a few years younger bikes will use same parts. Good Luck!!
 
M
#23 ·
VBKEXE4003M133393 can someone help me please. i have had this bike for so many years and now I have moved it's been sitting for a while. I have taken it to shops, and they say I need a new carb. But i cant find any thing on this bike. I have looked throw the ktm parts and the closest thing to the carb i have is $1,500. Is it worth even trying to save it at this point.
 
#24 ·
Welcome to the forum.

Let's dive straight in to the VIN# on your bike.
Your VIN#: VBKEXE4003M133393
VBK: KTM Austria
EX: Enduro Cross
E: The upgrade version of your bike (Note that this one does not start with A, and so it is a little of a guessing game. But the next version would be F).
4: Four stroke
0: Highway use. (You can get bike road registered, it has lights, or option to add lights)
0: Check digit
3: Year of manufacture/assembly. Your bike is assembled in 2003
M: Assembly plant Mattighofen
133393: Bike serial number

Regarding your dilemma about what to do with the bike. It is 20 years old and sounds like it has not had a hard life. There is an upsurge in classic bikes/Veteran racing where you race against bikes of similar age. Have a look on the web what similar bikes sell for today and you might get a surprise...
 
#30 ·
VBK: KTM and Austria
RFA: Sorry, no idea what RF stands for. But I expect the A indicates an early version of this model.
4: 4 stroke
0: Highway use (has lights and speedo)
8: Check Digit
7: Assembled in 2007
M: Assembly plant Mattighofen Austria
183994: Bikes serial number
 
#32 ·
VBK: KTM and Austria
XWM: Your bike is a 2014 KTM 300 XC-W
2: 2 stroke
3: Off Road use
8: Check digit
E: Year of manufacture. In this case 2014
M: Assembly Plant Mattighofen Austria
346680: Bikes production serial number.
 
#34 ·
Sorry about delay.

VBK: KTM and Austria
MX: Motocross
M: As this letter goes up it indicates upgrades for the bike and also often more Hp
2: 2 stroke
3: Off Road
3: Check Digit
D: Year of manufacture. Either 1983 or 2013. (You should easily be able to figure out this one...)
M: Assembly plant: Mattighofen.
289664: Bikes production serial number.
 
#44 ·
VB: Austria
K: Manufacturer (KTM)
MX: Motocross
N: A little upgraded MX since first came on the market.
2: 2 stroke
3: Offroad
6: Check Digit
361729: Bikes serial number.
3: Manufactured 2003
M: Manufactured in KTM's factory (Mattighofen)

If you are looking for how to know what racing the bike is made for, that info is part of the motor number under the left side of the cylinder.
 
C
#46 ·
Also u wouldn’t happen to know what carb it has on it ? It a Klein or whatever def not a mikuni as soon as I turn the gas it it free flows out a hose coming off bowl thinking the needle isn’t sealing properly? I wanted to find a carb kit for it any knowledge on that I would be super grateful. Thanks again man
 
#49 ·
2 is the year of the motor (2002). 548 is the model of the motor, and 02715 is the serial number of your motor. But then it gets tricky... as the 548 motor came out in 2004 and lasted to 2007... The cylinder was either a 250 or a 300cc. This should be stamped/engraved on the cylinder head or the cylinder.
 
C
#48 ·
I seen a post above with the same “mxn” part does that means it’s a 450? Like his was? I know nothing bout this bike all i
Know is it’s fast a hell and seems big. I was told it’s a 300 but idk so model, motor size, and ya I think I should be able to figure carb situation if u could let me know those thanks buddy
 
#54 ·
Codylee9551 said:
Can you help me decipher my vin?

VBKMXJ209SM305443
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum.

Let's dive in...

VBK: Austria and KTM
MX: Motocross
J: As numbers/letters go up it indicates upgrades since first version.
2: Two stroke
0: Highway use (has/had lights)
9: Check digit
S: Year of bike: 1995
M: Assembly Plant (Mattighofen Austria)
305443: Bikes serial number
 
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