About CFMoto
CFMoto VINs (WMI LCE) cover CFORCE ATVs, ZFORCE and UFORCE side-by-sides, and the brand's growing US street-bike range (450SS, 450NK, Ibex 800, Papio). CheckMyVIN decodes make, model year, and plant from NHTSA VPIC and checks open NHTSA recalls — note that older CFMoto VINs decode under the make name CHUNFENG.
Founded 1989 and headquartered in Hangzhou, China (US subsidiary: Plymouth, Minnesota), CFMoto vehicles register their VIN data with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When you enter a CFMoto VIN above, CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA VPIC database directly — pulling the same federally certified specs that the manufacturer reported when the vehicle was sold.
CFMoto uses several WMI codes (LCE) depending on plant and model line — see the full CFMoto VIN Decoder for the complete table and a per-position walkthrough.
Where to find your CFMoto VIN
- Frame on ATV / side-by-sideOn CFORCE ATVs the VIN is stamped on the frame, typically near the left footwell or steering stem. On ZFORCE / UFORCE side-by-sides it's on a frame rail — commonly near the driver's side, under the dash area, or toward the rear of the chassis depending on model.
- Steering neck on street motorcyclesOn the 450SS, 450NK, Ibex 800, and Papio, the VIN is stamped on the steering head — turn the bars and look at the frame where it meets the front forks, the standard motorcycle location.
- Title and registrationStreet bikes carry road titles; many CFMoto off-road units are sold on MSO / bill of sale only. Either way, verify the frame-stamped VIN matches the paperwork character-for-character before purchase.
What CheckMyVIN shows for CFMoto
Every CFMoto report includes the decoded specifications (engine, drive type, transmission, plant, body class), every open recall NHTSA has on file for the year/model/make combination, an AI-written plain-English summary, and the maintenance specs CheckMyVIN can confidently match by engine code. Tire sizes vary by trim and are always marked "Varies by trim — check door-jamb label" rather than guessed.
New to VIN reading? Start with what each of the 17 characters means, check a suspicious number with the check digit calculator, or look up a model year in the year code table.
Common CFMoto issues to check before buying
Brand-specific known issues — useful as a pre-purchase inspection checklist. CheckMyVIN does not flag these per VIN; verify against service history.
450SS telematics-box steering interference recall
2023 450SS (NHTSA 24V108000)
The T-box could fall onto the front forks and interfere with steering. Dealers fit a redesigned holder free of charge. On any used 2023 450SS, run the VIN through the recall check and confirm the campaign is closed — the fix is quick, so an open campaign suggests the bike never saw a dealer.
Ibex 800 throttle-wire failure recall
2023 Ibex 800 S / 800 T (NHTSA 24V609000)
The throttle wire could bend excessively, break, and stall the engine mid-ride. Dealers reroute the wire and reposition its clamps at no charge (bulletin SAF-2024-03, letters August 2024). Verify closure by VIN, and on a test ride check for notchy or sticky throttle action off idle.
ZFORCE 950 fuel-line fire-hazard recall (CPSC)
2020 ZFORCE 950 Sport (CPSC-administered)
The fuel-line fitting could fail to lock onto the fuel-injector inlet, spilling fuel onto hot engine parts — CFMOTO received leak reports including one engine fire. This campaign ran through the CPSC, so it will NOT show in an NHTSA recall check; ask a dealer to run the VIN and inspect the fuel-line fitting for the updated lock.
Short valve-adjustment intervals on CFORCE ATVs
CFORCE 400 / 500 / 600 / 800, maintenance-critical
CFMoto specifies valve-lash checks at short intervals compared with Japanese rivals, and owner forums tie skipped adjustments to noisy top ends and hard starting on higher-hour CFORCE units. Ask for service records showing valve checks; a neglected valvetrain is a bargaining chip — or a walk-away, if the engine already sounds ticky.
Dealer network and parts lead times
All models — practical, not mechanical
CFMoto's US dealer network has grown fast but is still thinner than Polaris or Can-Am coverage in many regions, and owners report multi-week waits on some backordered parts. Before buying, confirm a servicing dealer within reasonable distance and price out common wear items for your specific model.
CFMoto buyer's notes
CFMoto's pitch is price: units typically sell well below comparable Polaris, Can-Am, or Japanese equivalents, and the 2-3 year factory warranty is genuinely competitive — but the warranty only helps if a dealer is nearby, so verify service coverage in your area first. Check recalls in both databases: NHTSA covers the street bikes (450SS, Ibex 800 campaigns above), while off-road campaigns like the 2020 ZFORCE 950 fuel-line recall live in the CPSC system and never appear in an NHTSA query. Expect older units to decode as CHUNFENG — that's the same manufacturer, not a red flag. Resale values are still finding their floor for this brand, so buy on condition and records, and confirm the frame-stamped VIN matches the MSO or title exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my CFMoto decode as "CHUNFENG"?
Chunfeng (春风, "spring wind") is CFMoto's Chinese brand name — the manufacturer is Zhejiang CFMOTO Power Co. Older LCE VINs return Make = CHUNFENG in NHTSA VPIC, while newer ones return Make = CFMOTO. Same company, same factory, different make string in the federal record.
How do I decode a CFORCE, ZFORCE, or UFORCE VIN?
Enter the 17-character VIN above. All US-market CFMoto VINs start with the LCE WMI (L = China), digit 10 is the model year, and NHTSA VPIC returns make, year, displacement, and plant (Hangzhou).
Are CFMoto street motorcycles supported?
Yes — the 450SS, 450NK, 650NK, Ibex 800, Papio, and other road models are certified motor vehicles and decode cleanly in VPIC, with recall coverage through NHTSA (e.g. the 2023 450SS steering-interference campaign).
Where is the VIN on a CFMoto?
On the frame near the footwell / steering stem on CFORCE ATVs, on a frame rail on ZFORCE / UFORCE side-by-sides, and on the steering head on street bikes. The engine serial on the case is not the VIN.
How do I check CFMoto recalls?
CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA recall API, which covers CFMoto's street bikes (450SS T-box campaign, Ibex 800 throttle-wire campaign). Off-road CFMoto recalls often run through the CPSC instead — for example the 2020 ZFORCE 950 fuel-line fire-hazard recall — so check both and ask a dealer to run the VIN.
Does CFMoto build KTM motorcycles?
CFMoto assembles some KTM models through a joint venture, and NHTSA's WMI record for LCE lists KTM among the makes filed under Zhejiang CFMOTO Power. A KTM built by CFMoto still decodes with Make = KTM — this page covers units branded CFMoto (or Chunfeng in older records).
Can you decode a Chinese-market or grey-import CFMoto?
Only US-market units are reliably in NHTSA VPIC. A CFMoto that was never certified for sale in the US may return no record — that's a data boundary, not necessarily a fake VIN.