Look at the vin tag on the steering tube.
The 1oth digit represents the year, however, a O or 0 is not used in vin identification numbers. See the link below for explanation.
If you have an older bike (pre 1981) before they went to a 17 digit vin, you will have to check with a dealer. No one knows how, nor is there a website, to decode the older vin numbers.
17 digits in VIN. 10th digit signifies model year.
The tenth digit in the vin identifies the year. The "t" in your vin identifies your bike as a 1996.
"Find the VIN number stamped on your frame. The VIN is located on the front part of your bike just below the bars." "COUNT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 10 CHARACTERS. Compare the 10th character of your VIN with the chart below. If your 10th digit is a "V", look at the chart and find "V". Your bike is a 1997. If your 10th digit is a "3", look at the chart and find "3". Your bike is a 2003" (complete chart and bike vin/year and part interchange info can be found at: http://oem-cycle.com/Find_Out_Year_of_bike.aspx)
Unfortunately, the serial number for your Suzuki DR 250 does not provide information about the year the bike was manufactured. However, you can use the following tips to help you determine the year of your bike:Look for the year printed on the manufacturer's sticker on the frame.Check the registration papers for the year the bike was first registered.Check the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the year of the bike.You may also be able to find out the year of your Suzuki DR 250 by locating the 10th digit of the VIN. The 10th digit of the VIN can provide information about the year, but this is not always the case. For example, if the 10th digit of the VIN is a J, then the bike was made in 1992. However, if the 10th digit of the VIN is a K, then the bike was made in 1993. In this case, the 10th digit of the VIN is not a J or a K, so the year of your Suzuki DR 250 cannot be determined from the VIN.
take it to a mechanic
The vin is a 17 digit code that is located on the right side of the steering head tube.
the tenth digit which in your case is a t makes this bike a 1996
Unless this is a pre 1981 bike, this is not a vin. A vin must be 17 digits. If it is an older bike, no way of checking the vin numbers on them.
find a bike VIN I.D. chart, the tenth digit in your vin will be key to finding the year make try oem-cycle.com (worked for my dirtbike)