I have a 2003 Sportsman 700. VIN says 2003. The only date I see on this thing is on the engine, which is 6/15/02. When shopping for parts, I often see "if build after ....." or "if built before ....". Is the engine date considered the build date for the vehicle? Obviously engine parts are a given, but would this engine date also determine build date for brakes and chassis parts?

 

I believe they are going by the date on the vin.

You can check part numbers on both 02 and 03 on an oem microfiche to see if the part you're looking for has changed or not.

 

When I look at a parts list from Polaris, it says "2202414 Kit, Brake Pad [If built after 7/12/02]" and "2201871 Kit, Brake Pad [If built before 7/12/02]". Do you know of a way that I can determine build date from the VIN? Several other items are this way as well.

 

The 10th digit on the vin will give you the year number.

You can put the vin number in here.

 

Years ago, when I worked at a foreign car parts supply, Toyota was terrible at making changes to the brake system, as well as a few other parts.

They always went by the manufacturing plate on the door jamb.

Big assumption, but I'd bet they're doing the same with the atv's today.

 

The VIN decoder says it can't find info on my VIN, but the tenth digit is a 3, so it's a 2003, but what about the day and month? I've found several parts that break down depending on the specific date. This is all while looking at 2003 Polaris parts lists.

 

Call an area dealer with your vin#. Data base has the build date,original buyer(if not you) date of purchase along with all bulletins performed or needed to addressed. Major difference on the before and after was the rear caliper and the ignition system that changed over to a Kokusan from the troublesome Ducati. There may be some other small part differences also.