KAWASAKI ER 650 HKF

649cc Petrol Class 2

#988 of 5426 overall #117 of 592 KAWASAKIs #605 of 2787 other bikes

89.9%

first-time pass rate

4.4%

failed outright

6,883

median miles at test

1,589

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2022–2025

The ER 650 HKF's first-time pass rate has risen 1.2 points since 2022, 88.5% to 89.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ER 650 HKF passes first time 93.1% of the time; by 30k that's 90.0%.

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 HKF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	33	25.8	1.0×
structure and attachments	26	20.3	2.1×
brakes	25	19.5	0.3×
tyres	23	18	1.7×
Identification of the vehicle	9	7	2.5×
suspension	6	4.7	0.5×
steering	3	2.3	0.3×
wheels	2	1.6	2.1×
audible warning (Horn)	1	0.8	0.3×

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 HKF beats 4 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 HKF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2020 (92.6% pass). Weakest: 2018 (83.0%).

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 HKF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ER 650 HKF reliable?

The KAWASAKI ER 650 HKF is more reliable than average for its class: 89.9% of its 1,589 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #988 of 5426 models.

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

lamps and reflectors — 26% of all defects recorded against failed ER 650 HKF tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2020-registered examples do best (92.6%) and 2018 worst (83.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ER 650 HKF last?

The median ER 650 HKF shows 6,883 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 90.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.