KAWASAKI EX 650 CBF

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2230 of 5426 overall #253 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1380 of 2787 other bikes

85.9%

first-time pass rate

7.2%

failed outright

11,443

median miles at test

2,225

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The EX 650 CBF's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.2 points since 2014, 85.9% to 84.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage EX 650 CBF passes first time 89.3% of the time; by 30k that's 73.1%.

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 EX 650 CBF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	54	20.3	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	38	14.3	0.8×
tyres and wheels	31	11.7	0.6×
tyres	30	11.3	1.9×
structure and attachments	29	10.9	1.5×
suspension	25	9.4	1.3×
steering and suspension	23	8.6	0.3×
lighting and signalling	16	6	0.2×
drive system	11	4.1	0.5×
steering	9	3.4	0.9×

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 EX 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 EX 650 CBF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (94.1% pass). Weakest: 2012 (85.3%).

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 EX 650 CBF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI EX 650 CBF reliable?

The KAWASAKI EX 650 CBF is about average for its class: 85.9% of its 2,225 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2230 of 5426 models.

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

brakes — 20% of all defects recorded against failed EX 650 CBF tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (94.1%) and 2012 worst (85.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a EX 650 CBF last?

The median EX 650 CBF shows 11,443 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 73.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.