KAWASAKI EX 650 KJF

649cc Petrol Class 2

#959 of 5426 overall #115 of 592 KAWASAKIs #589 of 2787 other bikes

90.0%

first-time pass rate

4.9%

failed outright

7,242

median miles at test

980

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2020–2025

The EX 650 KJF's first-time pass rate has risen 2.0 points since 2020, 88.6% to 90.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage EX 650 KJF passes first time 91.6% of the time; by 20k that's 84.3%.

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 KJF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	21	26.2	1.0×
structure and attachments	17	21.2	2.1×
tyres	17	21.2	2.5×
brakes	14	17.5	0.3×
suspension	5	6.2	0.6×
Identification of the vehicle	3	3.8	1.3×
steering	2	2.5	0.5×
audible warning (Horn)	1	1.2	0.6×

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 EX 650 KJF 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 EX 650 KJF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (91.0% pass). Weakest: 2017 (89.9%).

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 KJF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI EX 650 KJF reliable?

The KAWASAKI EX 650 KJF is more reliable than average for its class: 90.0% of its 980 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #959 of 5426 models.

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

lamps and reflectors — 26% of all defects recorded against failed EX 650 KJF tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2019-registered examples do best (91.0%) and 2018 worst (89.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a EX 650 KJF last?

The median EX 650 KJF shows 7,242 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 84.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.