KAWASAKI ER 650 CBF

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2050 of 5426 overall #233 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1247 of 2787 other bikes

86.5%

first-time pass rate

7.6%

failed outright

13,097

median miles at test

1,664

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2014–2025

The ER 650 CBF's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.1 points since 2014, 92.7% to 85.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ER 650 CBF's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ER 650 CBF passes first time 91.0% of the time; by 30k that's 77.4%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a ER 650 CBF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	52	22.5	1.4×
brakes	44	19	0.4×
tyres	29	12.6	1.7×
lighting and signalling	26	11.3	0.3×
structure and attachments	19	8.2	1.4×
steering and suspension	14	6.1	0.2×
tyres and wheels	14	6.1	0.4×
suspension	14	6.1	1.1×
drive system	13	5.6	1.0×
Identification of the vehicle	6	2.6	1.6×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the ER 650 CBF beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the ER 650 CBF.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2012 (88.8% pass). Weakest: 2011 (84.7%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

KAWASAKI ER 650 CBF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ER 650 CBF reliable?

The KAWASAKI ER 650 CBF is about average for its class: 86.5% of its 1,664 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2050 of 5426 models.

What does a ER 650 CBF fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 23% of all defects recorded against failed ER 650 CBF tests.

What is the best year of ER 650 CBF to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (88.8%) and 2011 worst (84.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ER 650 CBF last?

The median ER 650 CBF shows 13,097 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 77.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.