[4DThinker]

My Black Burgman 650 is supposedly a 2004 model. But the plate below the glove box lists 11/03 as the manufacturing date. Nowhere on the bike can I find anything like AN650K4 or such. So how can I know if this is a 2004 or a 2003? It does sort of explain why my scoot was marked down so much... the dealer may have had it in stock for more than a year.

Also, my insurance company only asked for the VIN number, and was able to tell ME what make and model the scooter was from that. Anyone know where (on the internet) us commoners can enter a VIN number and see what info it contains?

Dave B.

 

[billmeek]

Dave,

The black color was only available in 2004. Here's some info on VIN numbers :

http://www.autoinsurancetips.com/vin.htm

 

[4DThinker]

Thanks, Billmeek.

It was not on the scoot, but it does say "Model 23099 AN650K4" on the inspection certificate.

The VIN does not decode properly after the first few digits according to the site you mentioned. I'm guessing motorcycle VINS might be different than car VINS, and there may be a difference between US VINs and Canadian ones. The best I can tell so far is that it's a Japanese Suzuki. My insurance agent knew more than that.

Dave B.

 

[billmeek]

Try this one then :

http://www.vehicleidentificationnumber. ... ntent.html

or better yet :

http://www.suzukicycles.org/_misc/identification.shtml

 

[4DThinker]

Thanks.

Apparently the 10th digit is the model year, and mine is "4" for 2004.

Now does anyone want to guess what the "23099" number on my inspection certificate stands for?

Dave B.

 

[billmeek]

No idea Dave. But you might be able to find it at :

http://www.tc.gc.ca/en/menu.htm

 

[Brian]

My Black Burgman 650 is supposedly a 2004 model. But the plate below the glove box lists 11/03 as the manufacturing date.

That would make sense; anything produced that late in the year (November) would be a "next year's" model.

I can remember when the "new models" of cars always came out in September of the previous year, and the dealers would all have big "new model introductions" with balloons, bands, hot dogs, and such. Lately it seems like some brands are bringing out new models even earlier than that, but much of the fanfare is gone.

 

[Sails]

I was just in at a Nissan dealer looking at their new M45 and it is a 2006 model, it is only the beginning of 2005!

 

[Brian]

I was just in at a Nissan dealer looking at their new M45 and it is a 2006 model, it is only the beginning of 2005!

:shock: Now that is early. It's just ridiculous what the marketing folks have done to what should be simple: if it's delivered in 2005 it's a 2005; if it's delivered in 2006 it's a 2006.

What next, a 2010 model delivered in 2007?

 

[4DThinker]

:shock: Now that is early. It's just ridiculous what the marketing folks have done to what should be simple: if it's delivered in 2005 it's a 2005; if it's delivered in 2006 it's a 2006.

What next, a 2010 model delivered in 2007?

Possibly. But my 2004, made in 2003, was purchased in 2005. Am I a time traveler?

Dave B.

 

[Brian]

...my 2004, made in 2003, was purchased in 2005. Am I a time traveler?

No, but if you had a 2005 model, made in 2004, and purchased in 2003 that would be something!