[Doug Carlton]

A friend of mine has an 03 hertiage the vin number starts with a 5 as in 5hd where most start with 1 can any body shed light on this number what does it mean in reference to the manfacturing of it? Doug

[Slimjim]

According to the owner's manual, the first digit refers to the "market designation". The "1" = Domestic and the "5" = International. Your friend's bike must have been made to sell outside the USA.

[duke76]

I think California bikes have something different with there vin number also but I am not sure, I will try to find out.

[chucktx]

it is all explained in the manual, mine is in the shop so i dont have acess to it right now.

[Doug Carlton]

Thanks talked to my friend again and he mentioned the sales person said the bike was made to go to the Bahamas or some place like that so it is an export bike.He bought it new in florida. In the mean time he totaled it the other day,so it's going to salvage.Big Doug

[chucktx]

wow......easy come, easy go.................glad your friend is ok