question on Year my 500ri is.

[HTCneil]

I thought last month I bought a 2009 500ri. however after poking around with my bike, trying to remove those dar side panels, I saw that there was a plate that said my xciting was "Manufactured MAY 2008"

So my question is do I have a 2008 Xciting 500Ri?

[Shaka]

I would think you have an '09 model that was manufactured in May '08.  It should also say on your title or registration what model year it is.  It is common for the parts to be manufactured in the previous year of the model year.

[HTCneil]

registration could be manipulated by the dealer right?

[Shaka]

I wouldn't put it past them, but I somewhat doubt that.  You can check the VIN# also.

[sidthesloth]

I belive that the month and year are considered to be when the engine and frame are put together, but with bikes the model year is the year following manufacture.

[blukym001]

Since yearly models are usually introduced in the fall of the preceding year, for example 11 will be released in the fall of 10, the manufacturer has to start to produce a new model several months before the release date in order to ship them to a dealers shop. It would not be out of line for a 11 model to have a production date as early as May of 10. this is a normal procedure for the entire automotive industry.  Some of the parts have to be made even earlier than that . I would not be surprised that some of the parts that would be used in a 11 bike might be made as early as late 09. Curt

[wordslinger]

...wow..i was going to say that bluky...lol...you read my mind...

..we cast aluminum parts for the automotive industry...

..we're currently casting parts for the '11 and '12 model year...

[Bryan]

Mine's also a bit strange, in fact I think mine was built in 07 (haven't looked) and first registered in 09. It was probably the last carb model left over and had been standing around in the showroom for a long time hence it had a few small nicks and scratches and I managed to get it at 25% less than the X500i. They're not big sellers here and the few that were sold the guys all ordered the fuel injection ones. Here In my neck of the woods it's the year of first registration that is regarded as the year model for all purposes including insurance etc except when you buy parts. I bought my GSX R750 early this year, it was left over stock from 08 (built in 07) and Suzuki was offering the 08 at 25% less and the 09 at 12.5% less than the 2010 model. Technically the same bike just different paint jobs. Anyway mine is registered and regarded now as a 2010 model. Crazy way of looking at it I think.

[zombie]

I wouldn't put it past them, but I somewhat doubt that.  You can check the VIN# also.

   There are a series of letters on the vin. The following two numbers are the year code. That is what it is.