How to Identify a Yamaha Model Moto 4
by Floyd Drake III
Yamaha's first four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or ATV, is the YFM Moto 4. Introduced in 1985, the YFM 200 Moto 4 is the predecessor of all future Yamaha four-wheel ATVs, including 1987s powerful Banshee. Identify the Moto 4 by decoding the Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN. VINs are a 17-digit standardized vehicle identification numbering system which is unique for each individual vehicle. This code is intended for law enforcement, insurance, vehicle manufacturer and owner use.
Step 1
Search for the Moto 4 VIN. It is normally on the frame by the left foot peg, assuming you are sitting on the ATV. The VIN plate is on the frame but do not confuse this with the engine number located on the engine itself.
Step 2
Write down the 17-position VIN. Certain positions are necessary for identification, including positions two, four through eight, and ten. These positions represent the manufacturer, body style and engine type and the year, respectively. Other positions identify country of manufacture, manufacturing plant and the unit number of production, or serial number.
Step 3
Decode the Moto 4 VIN. Position two should be a "Y" for Yamaha, Position 10's year designation coding starts with "A" for 1980, "B" for 1981 up to "Y" for 2000. Beginning in 2001, the year designation code switched to digits, starting with "1" for 2001. For model and engine designations, enter the full 17-position VIN on the Motoverse website's Yamaha VIN decoder. The decoder gives complete identification information.
References
Tips
- Moto 4 Yamaha designations are the YFM 80, YFM 200 and the YFM 350. The numbers designate the engine size.
Writer Bio
A native of New Haven, Conn., Floyd Drake III began writing in 1984. His work has appeared in the "New Haven Register," Medford's "Mail-Tribune" and the "Ashland Daily Tidings." Drake studied journalism at Southern Connecticut State University. After working as a reporter in Oregon, he is now based back home in New Haven.
