Want to know what year and where your motorcycle was made? Since Triumph organizes their parts by serial numbers and aftermarket parts are organized by year models it can be tedious to determine the correct parts for your motorcycle. This Triumph VIN explanation will guide you in the right direction. A full explanation and verification of the information below can be obtained through the NHTSA website.
By Mike Grage, Customer and Technical Support at Modern British Iron
Table of Contents
VIN Numbers Established
In 1981 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standardized the vehicle identification number format for all engine powered wheeled vehicles sold in the USA. This 17-character numbering system contains a lot of useful information for owners, and for parts and service personnel. There are four sections to a VIN number and I will explain it all to you in Triumph terms. Other manufacturers of cars and motorcycles use the same system with different codes. I can’t explain them all and keep this blog less than a mile long, but you can look yours up on this government website: https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder
Please note that this blog is addresses the large production North American VIN codes. There are some differences in VIN codes for small production NA, the UK, and the EU.
Triumph VIN Explanation
Overview
The first three characters are the world manufacturer identifier, the first character indicates the country and the second and third indicate manufacturer. The next six are the vehicle description section. The last eight are the model year, plant it was produced in and the last six are the actual serial numbers.
Drill Down
The first three characters are the world manufacturer identifier, the 1st character indicates the manufacturer’s home country (S indicated UK, 1 indicates USA, 2 indicates Canada, and J indicates Japan). The 2nd and 3rd indicate manufacturer (MT is Triumph Motorcycles, HD is Harley-Davidson, GC is Chevy Truck). So, any Triumph motorcycle will have SMT for the first 3 digits.
Physical Characteristics
The fourth character that indicates the physical characteristics of the model line also changes with significant engine design changes. For example, the air-cooled vertical twin models like the Bonneville, Scrambler, and America will also have 9 in this position. The liquid-cooled vertical twin models like the Street Twin, T120, and Scrambler 1200 will have a D in this position. Since two models can have the same fifth and sixth character, we will combine them to indicate the models. Here are a few of the model codes for Triumph motorcycles.
- 905 = America
- 920 = Thruxton
- 910 = Bonneville T100 air-cooled
- D10 = Bonneville T100 liquid-cooled
- D40 = Bonneville T120
- 925 = Scrambler air-cooled 865cc
- D44 = Scrambler 900cc liquid cooled
- D51 = Scrambler 1200 XE
- D45 = Scrambler 1200 XC
- D20 = Thruxton 900cc liquid cooled
- D52 = Thruxton 1200 TFC
- D42 = Bonneville Bobber
- D53 = Bonneville Bobber Black
- D51 = Scrambler 1200 XE
- A08 = Daytona 675R
- L03 = Street Triple R 675
- B03 = Thunderbird Storm
- B05 = Thunderbird Commander
- B07 = Thunderbird LT
- D31 = Street Twin 900
- C00 = Rocket III 2300cc
- C06 = Rocket III Touring 2300cc
- G10 = Rocket 3 GT 2500cc
- 399 = Adventurer
- E62 = Tiger 900 GT
- E67 = Tiger 900 Rally
- L10 = Trident 660
Engine Code
The 7th character is the engine code. Needless to say, this character will change with significant engine changes. Air-cooled and liquid-cooled are different, same with EFI or carburetor. The character used in this position is manufacturer specific. Triumph uses H to designate a 790cc 360 twin engine, GM uses H for a 305cid LG4 V8 engine. (Best example I could provide off the top of my head.) Below are a few, but not all of the engine codes for Triumph motorcycles.
- H = 790cc 360-degree air-cooled twin
- J = 790cc 270-degree air-cooled twin
- K = 865cc EFI 360-degree air-cooled twin
- R = 865cc EFI 270-degree air-cooled twin
- G = 900cc EFI liquid cooled SOHC twin
- H = 1200cc EFI Liquid cooled twin
- L = 2294cc Rocket III
- J = 2458cc Rocket 3
- N = 675cc EFI liquid cooled triple
- Y = 675R EFI liquid cooled triple
- 4 = 765cc liquid cooled triple
- S = 1200cc EFI liquid cooled triple
- X = 1215cc EFI liquid cooled triple
- P = 1050cc EFI liquid cooled triple
- W = 1700cc EFI 270-degree DOHC twin
- D = 900cc liquid cooled triple
- U = 660cc liquid cooled triple
8th and 9th Characters
The 8th character indicates the year of introduction for the model for most manufacturers and decoded in the same manner as the 10th character year model indicated in the chart below. Other times manufacturers use this character to indicate the market (49-state, California, Canada, EU, etc.). Triumph uses this character to indicate net brake horsepower class according to a few of their 49 CFR Part 565 submissions to the NHTSA administrator.
The definitions for each code are not included in those submissions. I cannot provide definitions for these character codes because we do not do horsepower restrictions on motorcycles in the USA, so I’ve had no reason to look them up or consider it for any work that I’ve done.
The 9th character is the check digit, also known as a unique identifier or checksum. This one does not have much to do with repairs or repair procedures. It is more of a security thing for title purposes.
Codes for the Model Year
The 10th character of the VIN indicates the model year, which is the actual year of the vehicle. The information stickers also have a month and year of manufacture, this is not the same as the model year. The model year is the necessary information for looking up parts, service procedures, vehicle title/registration, and insurance claims. A vehicle manufactured in October of 2015, is a 2016 model. Model year production typically begins between August and October of the previous year. The number 0 is not used, and neither are the letters I, O, U and Q code used in the 10th position to indicate the year of production. Here is a list of the codes for 1995 and later:
S=1995 T=1996 V=1997 W=1998 X=1999 Y=2000 1=2001
2=2002 3=2003 4=2004 5=2005 6=2006 7=2007 8=2008
9=2009 A=2010 B=2011 C=2012 D=2013 E=2014 F=2015
G=2016 H=2017 J=2018 K=2019 L=2020 M=2021 N=2022
P=2023 R=2024 S=2025 T=2026
Assembly Plant Location
The 11th character is the code for the location of the assembly plant. For Triumph motorcycles there are two that I know of, T is for Chonburi, Thailand and J is for Hinckley, England. If they decided to open a new assembly plant, they would need to come up with another letter or number for this position. Each manufacturer has specific codes for each plant. This information can be obtained by contacting the specific manufacturer or through an internet search.
Vehicle Serial Number
The last six digits of the VIN number are the actual serial number of the vehicle. If the last six of your VIN are 000001 you have first one made for that model year.
Helpful Search
Once you know your year and model you can use it on our British Iron homepage to search for parts applicable to your bike.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decode my Triumph motorcycle VIN?
A modern Triumph VIN has 17 characters in four sections.
Characters 1–3: the World Manufacturer Identifier, which identifies the country and manufacturer.
Characters 4–8: the vehicle description section, which covers the model line, model and engine.
Character 9: the check digit.
Characters 10–17: the model year (10th character), the assembly plant (11th character) and the serial number (last six characters).
To verify a VIN, enter it in NHTSA’s VIN decoder. Once you know your year and model, use them on the British Iron homepage to search for parts that fit your bike.
Why do I need my VIN to order Triumph parts?
Triumph organizes its parts by serial number, while aftermarket parts are organized by model year. That can make finding the right part tedious. Your VIN gives you both the model year and the serial number, so you can match factory and aftermarket parts. Some parts are even listed by VIN range, like the EBC Speed Triple 1050 rear brake hose for VINs 461332 to 735437. Use Shop by Vehicle to narrow your search.
When did the 17-character VIN become standard?
In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized the 17-character VIN format for all engine-powered wheeled vehicles sold in the USA. This guide covers large-production North American VINs. Triumph VINs for small-production North American bikes, the UK and the EU have some differences.
What does the first part of a Triumph VIN mean?
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). The first character shows the country and the second and third show the manufacturer. Triumph’s WMI is SMT, where S is the United Kingdom and MT is Triumph (Bennetts BikeSocial). Bikes built at Triumph’s Thailand plant also start with SMT. The 11th character, the plant code, is what shows where your bike was actually assembled.
How do I find the model year from a Triumph VIN?
Look at the 10th character. The codes are:
1995–2000: S=1995, T=1996, V=1997, W=1998, X=1999, Y=2000
2001–2009: 1=2001, 2=2002, 3=2003, 4=2004, 5=2005, 6=2006, 7=2007, 8=2008, 9=2009
2010–2019: A=2010, B=2011, C=2012, D=2013, E=2014, F=2015, G=2016, H=2017, J=2018, K=2019
2020–2026: L=2020, M=2021, N=2022, P=2023, R=2024, S=2025, T=2026
The cycle repeats every 30 years, which is why S and T stand for both 1995/1996 and 2025/2026 (49 CFR 565.15). The digit 0 and the letters I, O, Q, U and Z are never used for the model year.
Why doesn’t the date on my motorcycle’s VIN sticker match the model year?
The month and year on the VIN sticker are the manufacturing date, not the model year, and the model year is what you need for parts. Model year production usually starts in August, so a bike built in October 2015 is a 2016 model. Always go by the 10th character of the VIN.
What does the 4th character of a Triumph VIN mean?
The 4th character shows the model line’s physical characteristics, and it also changes with major engine design changes. For example, air-cooled vertical twins like the Bonneville, Scrambler and America have a 9 in this position. Liquid-cooled vertical twins like the Street Twin, T120 and Scrambler 1200 have a D. For help with fuel-injected models, see Electronic Fuel Injection Diagnostics.
What are the Triumph Bonneville model codes in the VIN?
Characters 4 through 6 give the model. Because two models can share the same 5th and 6th characters, read the three together:
Air-cooled twins: 905 = America, 910 = Bonneville T100, 920 = Thruxton, 925 = Scrambler
Liquid-cooled 900 cc twins: D10 = Bonneville T100, D20 = Thruxton, D44 = Scrambler
1200 cc twins: D40 = Bonneville T120, D51 = Scrambler 1200 XE, D52 = Thruxton 1200, D53 = Bonneville Bobber
What do the Bonneville engine codes in a Triumph VIN mean?
For the Bonneville engine line:
790 cc air-cooled twins: H = 360-degree, J = 270-degree
865 cc EFI air-cooled twins: K = 360-degree, R = 270-degree
Liquid-cooled twins: G = 900 cc EFI SOHC, H = 1200 cc EFI
The 360-degree vs. 270-degree crank often decides which exhaust, carb or EFI parts fit. Browse Engines and Engine Parts and Carburetor and Fuel Delivery.
What are the VIN model codes for the Speed Triple, Tiger, Daytona and Rocket III?
Daytona: D00 = Daytona 675, A02 = Daytona 675R
Speed Triple: P01 = Speed Triple 1200 RS, P02 = Speed Triple 1200 RR
Street Triple: L03 = Street Triple R 675, A46 = Street Triple RS
Tiger: E62 = Tiger 900 GT, E67 = Tiger 900 and Tiger 900 Rally
Rocket III: C00 = Rocket III, G10 = Rocket III GT
Others: B02 = Thunderbird Storm, D31 = Street Twin, 399 = Adventurer, L10 = Trident 660
Find parts in Parts for Your Triumph Speed Triple and the Triumph Street Cup review.
What do the engine codes mean for Triumph triples and the Rocket III?
Triples: D = 900 cc liquid-cooled, N = 675 cc EFI liquid-cooled, Y = Daytona 675R EFI liquid-cooled, 4 = 765 cc liquid-cooled, S = 1200 cc EFI liquid-cooled, U = 660 cc liquid-cooled
Rocket III: J = 2458 cc inline
Twins: W = 1700 cc EFI 270-degree DOHC
Where can I check my Triumph VIN for free?
NHTSA offers free VIN tools. The vPIC VIN decoder confirms the model year, model, engine and plant, and NHTSA’s VIN lookup tool gives more detail. Once you have your bike’s year and model, search British Iron for matching parts, or contact British Iron and have your VIN ready.
