Yamaha VIN Check
Yamaha Motor builds street bikes, scooters, ATVs, side-by-sides, and snowmobiles worldwide. Japan street machines commonly use WMI JYA; US ATV/UTV production in Newnan, Georgia uses 5Y4; Indonesia and Taiwan street bikes use MH3 and RKR.
Our decoder applies Yamaha’s Part 565 street VDS rules (category, displacement band, model ID, destination) plus a large factory-signature map, then enriches with NHTSA vPIC where available.
How to Read a Yamaha VIN
Start with the WMI (positions 1–3). For US street VINs, position 4 is category (V cruiser, R sport, S scooter, D dual-purpose), position 5 is displacement band, positions 6–7 are the model ID, and position 8 is destination (E 49-state, Y California/50-state). Position 9 is the ISO check digit, 10 is model year, and 11 is the plant.
Frequently Asked Questions — Yamaha VIN
What does JYA mean in a Yamaha VIN?
JYA is the Japan WMI for Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. street motorcycles and scooters.
Is 5Y4 a Yamaha VIN?
Yes. 5Y4 is Yamaha Motor Manufacturing in Newnan, Georgia — primarily ATVs and side-by-sides. It is not Polaris.
Does a Yamaha VIN encode paint or seat color?
No. Yamaha VINs do not encode paint, seat color, or accessory packages. Those come from dealer invoices or parts catalogs, not the VIN.
What does position 8 E vs Y mean?
On US street-legal Yamahas, E is 49-state (except California) and Y is California / 50-state emissions certification.
Where is the VIN on a Yamaha motorcycle?
Typically stamped on the steering head / head pipe and repeated on a frame label; also on the title and registration.