You’re considering buying a used motorcycle, but you want to make sure everything is above board. Whether you’re buying from a private party or a dealer, you should still get a motorcycle history report to verify that the bike is not stolen, there’s not a lien you should know about, and everything is being represented accurately.
Instead of paying for a report, which can get expensive if you’re looking at multiple bikes, why not get one for free? It’s faster and easier to do than you might have thought possible! In this article, we’ll show you how.
What Is in a Motorcycle History Report?
One of the most compelling reasons to review a motorcycle history report before you finalize a purchase is to confirm the bike has a clean title. The last thing you want is to end up with a stolen motorcycle, one that has a lien attached to it, or one that has significant undisclosed damage.
There are different sections to the reports, and you’ll typically find the following information:
– Ownership history
– Liens and loans
– Last odometer reading
– Market value
– Vehicle specifications (including but not limited to fuel efficiency, maintenance, and warranties)
– Other specifications (weight, engine, length and width, etc.)
– Accident history (including serious repairs)
– OEM recalls
– Whether the motorcycle was used as a taxi, rental, etc.
Get a Free Motorcycle History Report in Two Easy Steps
Thanks to modern technology, you don’t have to wait in line at the DMV and pay to acquire detailed motorcycle history reports. Using the Internet, you can now use a VIN lookup service and get these reports for free. Just follow these two quick steps, and you’re done!
Step 1: Locate the Motorcycle’s VIN Number.
Short for Vehicle Identification Number, the VIN is a unique identifier assigned to your bike. Think of it as the motorcycle equivalent of a Social Security Number. The only difference is that, while Social Security Numbers are nine digits, a VIN has 17 characters, consisting of both numbers and letters.
Not sure how to find your motorcycle VIN number? Though there are variations on where the VIN is, for most models, you’ll be able to find it either at the steering column base, near the cylinders, or stamped on the frame.
Step 2: Go Online.
Several websites will allow you to check your motorcycle’s VIN free of charge. Once you have the VIN, you can go to VinFreeCheck or VINCheck, enter the VIN, and you’ll get a free report that includes collision reports, detailed history records, odometer readings, real-time market pricing, and more.
If you don’t have the VIN, you can simply enter the license plate on the website and access reports from there. However, you’ll have to pay for those reports, so we recommend taking the extra couple of minutes to locate the motorcycle’s VIN before proceeding.
Free Motorcycle History Reports Versus Paid Reports
Keep in mind that obtaining a free motorcycle history report will not always give you as much information as a paid report. However, this is a great first step to getting some background information about a motorcycle and its history. You can always purchase a more comprehensive report later if you decide you are serious about buying the bike.
We like the free options because you can evaluate and compare the histories of multiple motorcycles without paying upfront research costs. Once you narrow down your selection, you can always buy a report for your top choice.
Motorcycle Knowledge is Power
Being armed with information about a motorcycle before purchasing it can save you a lot of money and heartache down the (open) road. At Law Tigers, our team is composed of passionate motorcycle readers ready to help. To learn more, visit our website or give us a call at 1-888-863-7213.
