What is a Motorcycle Engine Number?

Every rider who just restored their motorbike must be familiar with the nine-digit number called the engine number. But have you ever wondered what is a motorcycle engine number? And why it important? 

The motorcycle engine number is the nine-digit number engraved on your motorbike crankcase by the manufacturer. Engine number helps to identify the authentic motorbike and parts for your motorbike. Motorbike engine number also allows manufacturers to recall motorbikes and their engines if something is wrong. 

Let’s look at what it means for you and what you can do about it.

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned to know about your motorbike engine number clearly. 

What is a Motorcycle Engine Number?

You may find the specific number on your crankcase and wonder what this number is and why it’s there. 

The nine-digit number engraved on your motorbike crankcase is the engine number. Which your motorbike manufacturers engraved on your motorbike crankcase to identify the authentic motorbike engine and its parts. 

In the later section, I’ve mentioned how you can find your motorbike engine number and the difference between VIN and engine number. 

Why a Motorcycle Engine Number ? 

You may be wondering why the heck manufacturers engraved nine-digit numbers on your motorbike crankcase.

Engraved nine-digit engine number on the crankset helps manufacturers to identify the authentic engine with a fake one. The nine-digit number also allows you to find genuine parts in the market and helps the manufacturer recall specific models if something is wrong with the production line. 

In simpler words, if motorbike riding is your hobby and you’re looking for third-party motorbike parts, then you may need a motorbike engine number. 

What Happens if Your Motorcycle Doesn’t Have an Engine Number ? 

So far, you understand what a motorcycle engine number is and why there is a motorcycle engine number. But have you wondered what happens if your motorcycle doesn’t have an engine number? 

Experts recommend scrutinizing the crankcase, and if you can’t find it, you should consider looking into a motorbike manual. And if you still can’t find out, you need to consider asking your motorbike seller. It’s because no engine number on a motorbike engine is a sign that your motorbike engine is stolen or tempered.

You should also consider looking for a motorbike VIN if you can’t find a motorbike engine number engraved on the crankcase. 

Where You Can Find a Motorcycle Engine Number ? 

So far, you understand what’s motorcycle engine number is and why it’s there. But you still can’t find the nine-digit number? 

Unlike VIN numbers, you can find a motorcycle engine number engraved on the crankcase, either above it or directly on it. Sometimes due to dust buildup on the crankcase, you can’t find the motorcycle engine number. In that case, it’s better to look in the motorbike manual. 

If the dust is the buildup on your motorcycle engine, you may find it challenging to find the engine number. 

Always remember, a motorbike engine number is a nine-digit number, and any number which isn’t nine-digit isn’t a motorcycle engine number. 

You may also need to clean the crankcase if dust is built upon it to clearly look at the engine number. So stop looking for motorbike engine numbers on plates or stickers.

You’ll indeed find the engine number in your motorbike manual if you can’t find anything on the crankcase.

If you lost your motorbike manual, then you can visit emanualonline.com, where you can find any motorbike and model manual. 

Nowadays, manufacturers make motorcycles with fairings and extra body panels. And if your motorbike has a fairing and additional panel, be ready to remove all of them to see the nine-digit number. 

Worry not! Your motorbike manual can guide you to find the nine-digit number. Honestly, the manual helped me earlier in finding the engine number. 

You may also love to read my previous post, where I’ve discussed how motorcycle engines get hot. Click here to read.

What Does a Motorcycle Engine Number Look Like?

So far, you understand what a motorcycle engine number is and how you can find it. But have you ever wondered, what does the motorcycle engine number look like?

A motorcycle engine is a nine-digit number, but some manufacturers also incorporate some letters between the numbers. This is to identify the engine size, the number of cylinders, and the manufacturing date. Experts always recommend not counting the letters in the number for accurate identification of the motorcycle engine number. 

Many riders were confused when they saw the 17 digit number, which is nothing but a nine-digit number when all the letters were removed. 

Are Motorcycle Engine Numbers and VIN the Same? 

While finding the motorcycle engine number, you may encounter the motorcycle VIN number. But have you ever wondered how VIN and motorcycle engine numbers are different? 

Motorcycle engine numbers and VIN are two different things and also work differently. The motorcycle engine number helps identify the engine in the motorcycle, while VIN helps identify your bike. VIN also helps to identify what motorbike you’re riding on the production line. 

Many riders are still confused by chassis and frame numbers. Both chassis and frame numbers are the same, and motorbike manufacturers use chassis or frame numbers to indicate the VIN. 

Last night, I searched for the VIN number for my younger KTM, and they also mentioned the VIN as a chassis or frame number. 

Now think how new riders are confused by this wordplay. That’s why I honestly believe that the manufacturer should mention the VIN next to the chassis or frame number. 

The VIN on a motorbike indicates the same as a car. Through the VIN number, you find the manufacturing details of your motorbike, including date, month, year, and production line. 

Believe me, the VIN number will definitely help you find the latest model manufactured in the market. 

Another difference between engine number and VIN is finding the VIN in multiple locations on your motorbike. 

And it would be better to ensure that all VIN is the same. And if they aren’t the same, then your motorbike is likely to be stolen or tempered. 

In the practical world, you can’t find the VIN of every motorbike. Still, it’s better to know what VIN is and how to identify the real motorbike with the stolen one. 

Also, if you’re looking to buy new motorbike parts, you should consider looking at your motorbike VIN. 

You may find a VIN detector or coder online to help you identify your motorbike or production line. 

Frequently Asked Question:

Final Verdict: 

What is a motorcycle engine number? The motorcycle engine number is the nine-digit number engraved on your motorbike crankcase by the manufacturer. 

Engine number helps to identify the authentic motorbike and parts for your motorbike. Motorbike engine number also allows manufacturers to recall motorbikes and their engines if something is wrong. 

You can find the engine number engraved on your motorbike engine. In contrast, you can find the VIN number in multiple places on your motorbike. 

And if you can’t find it, then you should consider looking at the motorbike manual. Also, don’t let anyone confuse you between VIN and engine number.