ABS or Non-ABS

[the Ferret]

Most bikes out of this country have mandatory ABS down to 125cc I think. Even some 50's come with ABS overseas.

[Cormanus]

Interesting how they've flipped the photo of the red 2013 bike at the top of the page. Maybe to pretend it's a DLX?

[Girts80_imp]

Yet another way is to look at the VIN. If it starts JH2SC655, it's ABS.

I don't know if it somehow helps -- mine is 2013 ABS, but VIN starts JH2SC65B

[Cormanus]

It helps add to our understanding of VINs in different countries. Thanks, Girts.

JH2SX655 was the start of the US 2013 VIN for the ABS models. I’m not surprised it’s different in Europe. I’d like to know whether European VINs are country specific or universal.

[Newceebee_imp]

I'm in UK and my '13 CB is ABS and has same VIN as Girts80's above, so presume it's standard in Europe.

[max]

Is it possible that the vin's are emissions related?

[Cormanus]

Thanks, Newceebee.

Max, I don't think so. I suspect they're country related so manufacturers can make a run of bikes for a particular country. Interesting, but not totally surprising that Honda uses the same VIN sequence in Europe. As far as I know, US and Canadian VINs are different.

[flynrider]

Thanks, Newceebee.

Max, I don't think so. I suspect they're country related so manufacturers can make a run of bikes for a particular country. Interesting, but not totally surprising that Honda uses the same VIN sequence in Europe. As far as I know, US and Canadian VINs are different.

Rather than countries, you could more accurately say they are related to regulatory regions. Since the EU sets vehicle standards for all member countries, they're treated as a single region as far as the VIN is concerned.

You are correct that the bikes are manufactured by region. The line has to be reset to incorporate changes that are common to a region. When the run is complete, the line is reset again for the next region.