KAWASAKI ER 650 FDS ABS

649cc Petrol Class 2

85.2%

first-time pass rate

8.7%

failed outright

16,810

median miles at test

115

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a ER 650 FDS ABS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	17	48.6
structure and attachments	4	11.4
brakes	4	11.4
reg plates and vin	3	8.6
lighting and signalling	3	8.6
tyres	2	5.7
audible warning (Horn)	1	2.9
Identification of the vehicle	1	2.9

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the ER 650 FDS ABS 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 FDS ABS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (84.1% pass). Weakest: 2013 (84.1%).

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.