How to Find Out if a Dirt Bike Is Stolen?Get Back in 4 Steps

Darren Matlock September 26, 2023 2080 0

Introduction

What is the most important question you should ask yourself before buying a dirt bike? Is this bike stolen? Are there any identifying marks that show it was previously reported as stolen, or will it allow me to trace its origin if I ever need to return it to the rightful owner? This article will give you some tips on how to find out and what steps can be taken.

In this article, I will discuss an easy process on how to find out if a dirt bike is stolen. The blog also gives helpful tips on identifying if a dirt bike was previously reported as stolen by providing information on how thieves typically mark their bikes with distinguishing markings or serial numbers.

A process on How to Find Out if A Dirt Bike is Stolen

Check if there are any security stickers on the motorcycle. If they were not removed, this might indicate that the bike was new and never used. However, stickers may have been tampered with or could have fallen off during riding, so it’s best to move on to the next step.
Check for a VIN (vehicle identification number). If there is one, you can check it against the National Crime Information Center Database online or by inquiring with your local police station. You’ll need the motorcycle’s make and year as well as its serial number if available to do so.
Contact law enforcement authorities such as those at your nearest Department of Motor Vehicles office about whether they have any information regarding that particular dirt bike being stolen from their records.

Process of Identifying a Stolen Dirt Bike

Step One:

Check the bike’s serial number. If it has one, check to see if there are any reports of theft for a dirt bike with that same serial number. If you’re unsure how to find the serial number on your dirt bike, consult your owner’s manual or contact an expert from a qualified motorcycle dealership in your area (some experts specialize in this kind of work!).

Do NOT attempt to remove the sticker containing a piece of registration information because doing so will void its warranty – and even worse, it could put you at risk!

Step Two:

Google “stolen motorcycles.” Scroll through each page and look closely at all images until you find either yours or another similar model like it. Be careful not to just go off of the make and model because sometimes bikes are difficult to identify, even if they’re stolen.

If you find your bike on a Google search page for “stolen motorcycles,” contact authorities about it immediately so that they can take action!

Step Three:

Contact the owner through their website (if available) or a phone number on the bike’s sticker. Ask to see pictures of the actual motorcycle. Do not send over any personal information if they request it.

If you’re truly convinced that your dirt bike is stolen, call the police and tell them what you’ve found so far.

Step Four:

Be patient as officials investigate your claim – it may take a few days for them to get back to you.

What Are The Signs of A Stolen Bike?

It’s a different color than the owner remembers it being.
The bike has no license plate, or the license plates have been removed from the vehicle.
There is evidence of tampering with either registration stickers, VIN numbers, or other identification markings on major parts like engines and frames that warranty stickers would typically cover.
The bike has been drastically modified or tampered with in any way that the owner would not be able to identify it as theirs, even if they were unfamiliar with their own motorcycle.
Numerous scratches and signs of wear on major parts like engines and frames imply routine use, indicating a stolen vehicle.
A broken ignition key.
The bike has been left for a long time in the same spot, and no one comes to claim it or make any inquiries about its whereabouts.
It’s missing from an enclosed area that is supposed to be locked, such as a garage or storage unit.
Anyone with access to the motorcycle would have needed tools to remove it from the area.
If you find that your bike has been stolen, notify authorities immediately and don’t hesitate to get a new one.
Difference Between a Stolen and a Recovered Bike:
A recovery is when the bike has been taken by an individual who does not have permission to take it but is later found. This means that they are trying (and may succeed) in hiding the evidence of their crime.
Actually, stolen bikes tend to be easier to find because there’s usually plenty of people looking for law enforcement officers, insurance companies, or anyone else with a personal stake in getting those two wheels back on the street again.

Theft often leaves some sort of trail behind: records from pawnbrokers; parts purveyors; online auctions sites such as eBay where you can monitor past transactions made under certain usernames; “for sale” ads posted on Craigslist; or, in some cases, just a bike conveniently left behind with an easily identifiable owner’s mark.

Key Considerations While Finding Out If A Dirt is Stolen

The following are some of the key considerations while finding out if a dirt bike is stolen:

Their serial numbers can sell-Dirt bikes, so you can check with your local DMV to see if any reports have been filed for that number. If not, it might be worth contacting them in case someone has reported its theft.

You may also want to contact an insurance company and provide all the information they request, as this will make sure that your claim doesn’t get denied should something happen to it later.

If there’s no report or record of ownership on file, but you know where it came from, start by consulting with friends who live near that area. They’ll hopefully know more about what happened because they would have also been in the area
If you don’t know where it came from, consult with your local law enforcement officers to see if they may be able to help. They might ask for a list of features that would make this bike stand out and will likely look into all nearby dirt bike thefts on file.
If there’s no theft record, then they’ll contact their own officers who patrol these areas in case somebody has found or sold the motorcycle without knowing what they had (or worse)
In many cases, when bikes are stolen, thieves find themselves stuck with them because nobody is looking for them or thinks about reporting their disappearance, so contacting those sellers won’t do much good as long as the owner doesn’t come forward first.

Dirt bike vin check stolen

There are a few ways to check if a dirt bike is stolen:

Run a VIN check. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-digit number that identifies every motor vehicle. It is located on the frame of the dirt bike, usually near the steering head or engine. You can run a VIN check through a variety of sources, including the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), and private companies such as Carfax and AutoCheck. A VIN check will tell you if the dirt bike has been reported stolen, as well as any other liens or encumbrances on the title.
Check the title and registration. The title is the legal document that proves ownership of the dirt bike. The registration is the document that allows you to legally operate the dirt bike on public roads. Both the title and registration should be in the name of the person you are buying the dirt bike from. If either document is missing or does not match the person’s name, it is a red flag that the dirt bike may be stolen.
Inspect the dirt bike carefully. Look for any signs of tampering, such as mismatched paint or VIN numbers. Also, be sure to check the odometer. If the odometer mileage seems too low for the age and condition of the dirt bike, it could be a sign that the odometer has been rolled back.

FAQs About dirt bike vin check stolen

What To Do After My Dirt Bike is Stoled?

Report the theft to the police.
Write down and keep all serial numbers for your bike, any stickers that might be on it, or anything else of note, as well as a description of what happened with details like date, time, or location if possible.

Contact insurance company if you have coverage; otherwise, contact local law enforcement .

Contact your bank or credit union if you have a loan on the dirt bike; they may be able to put an alert on it.

Check with Motorcycle Theft Database for reports of other bikes stolen in your area.
Search Craigslist and eBay Motors for listings that match yours – but beware, thieves often use these sites to sell stolen bikes.

Look for your bike on BikeIndex or Stolen Bikes International if you know the year and make of the bike.
Contact a local dealership to see if they can find it by using its VIN number. This is one of the best ways, but not always available because some dealerships require that customers have a credit application on file.

Contact the manufacturer to see if they can find it using its VIN number; some refuse to release this information without being given your permission in writing.

Check with local authorities: police stations, sheriff’s offices, and other law enforcement agencies may be able to help you locate the motorcycle through their records of stolen property or vehicles.

How Do You Know Your Dirt Bike Is Legal in Your Town Without Going Through a Constant Stream of Labels, Vin Numbers, and License Plates With the Dmv Which Can Take Hours Sometimes?

The easiest and most effective way to tell if your dirt bike is stolen or not is by the presence of a security code. If it has one, you’re good! No need for any more digging through legal documents or wasting time with phone calls. Just go out on that dusty trail and have some fun.

Is There Any Way to Tell From the Serial Number on the Motorcycle Whether It’s Been Reported as Stolen?

In most cases, the serial number on a motorcycle is not enough to determine whether it’s been reported as stolen. However, some exceptions may help you determine if your dirt bike has been listed with police agencies as either lost or stolen.

If the vehicle was bought from a dealership and they were able to provide you with the original owner’s name and address, then the chances are good that this person will have filed an insurance claim for theft when he/she discovered their bike had disappeared. You can contact them directly by using the information provided in these records.

Precautions: to Take Before Buying a Dirt Bike

Check the VIN number against The National Crime Information Center database to see if it’s stolen.
Search for pictures of your desired model and compare them with any images you can find online.
Ask around; sometimes, people will know where their bikes are being sold or traded without realizing that they’re stolen goods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would highly suggest that the best way to avoid unknowingly buying a stolen dirt bike is by being informed and making sure you’re not about to purchase from an online auction.

Always ask questions, especially if the price seems too good to be true or it’s just out of your budget range. By following the method stated above, you will easily be able to identify whether dirt is stolen or not. Thank you. Have a good day.

You may read also – How to Make a 2 Stroke Dirt Bike Faster

Darren Matlock

Hi, I'm Darren. I love dirt bikes and everything about the off-road lifestyle. I'm passionate about motorbikes, cars, racing sports and going on adventures. If you're like me and enjoy extreme sports, you've come to the right place! I like to write articles about dirt bikes to help beginners get started. Whether you're interested in buying a dirt bike, ATV, motorcycle or want to ride for hobby, I hope my articles will inspire you to learn more about how this machine can be used to ride.