Shipping damaged VIN on F650GS
 

Hi from Albania,

We shipped our bikes from Bangkok to Istanbul a couple of months ago. When taking the bikes out of the crates we noticed that a strap had been put across the steering head of Audrey's F650GS but didn't think anything more of it (it was a long day of getting the bikes out of air cargo with lots of running around). Recently we discovered that the VIN on the steering head was damaged, presumably by this strap. Fortunately we had presented my bike for inspection first and they just waved Audrey's bike through so we had no hassles at that border. Now of course we are nervous at every border crossing and I am sure we will need the numbers inspected when we return to Canada at the very least in order to get the carnet refund. We will be shipping out of Frankfurt with Motorcycle Express in August and it is of course possible for the German authorities to perform an inspection as well.

Ideally we would have had a police report filed in Turkey so that we would have something to prove the bike was damaged in transit and not stolen. But that would have had to be done right at the airport and is no longer an option. Somehow I think going to the police here in Albania wouldn't do us a world of good.

On my R1200GS the VIN is repeated on the frame but I haven't been able to find anything on the F650. Does anyone know if there is a second location on the F800/F650 for the VIN?

Any suggestions for helping us rectify this situation would be appreciated.

yes
 

on my 2002 F650
Have a look on left hand side of bike, below clutch casing two lower mounting bolts and you will find the last 5 numbers of your VIN there.
Happy trails!

Thanks Bertrand!

It is the new F650GS Twin but I will have a look in that general area to see if it is tucked away like on the Single.

Hi
That’s just the engine number, and not necessary have to match with the VIN.

On the Twin is +/- same spot but on the right side (can be covered if you have some crash-bars.

Saludos

Sorry to contradict you Javier but, on my F650 it IS the frame number and it matches my V5 documentation.
No doubt it will be different on other motorcycles.
So Ekke, as Javier says, look on the other side!

Or you could just remove the sticker and buy an inexpensive letter punch kit and make a new one ;)

Sorry to hear about that problem..
What I know is nothing can be done at this moment at the airport customs..
If something is wrong, it is written back cover of your application letter with 3 stamps the same moment while you check the crate with customs officer....
If there is anything you want to be done here, please drop me a message..

All the best..

No luck, but we did just install a set of crash bars. I'll have to see if I can pull off the right side bars and have another look.

On my 2010 F650GS the VIN is stamped into the front of the headstock as well as being on an alloy plate which is riveted to the frame. Sounds like your allow plate is damaged. can't imagine that kind of strap would damage the stamped VIN on my bike.
Best of luck.

I'll be darned
 

Thanks Dave! We didn't even look at the VIN stamped on the headstock, I just assumed it was somewhere else on the bike instead of beside the plate.

:D