KAWASAKI GTR ZG1000

997cc Petrol Class 2

#3557 of 5426 overall #422 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2263 of 2787 other bikes

80.1%

first-time pass rate

14.4%

failed outright

41,117

median miles at test

3,779

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The GTR ZG1000's first-time pass rate has risen 6.3 points since 2005, 80.0% to 86.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GTR ZG1000's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GTR ZG1000 passes first time 72.9% of the time; by 50k that's 76.8%.

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 GTR ZG1000

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	450	38.7	1.9×
steering and suspension	246	21.1	1.6×
lighting and signalling	159	13.7	0.8×
tyres and wheels	97	8.3	1.2×
fuel and exhaust	81	7	2.2×
lamps and reflectors	38	3.3	0.5×
body and structure	30	2.6	1.7×
suspension	25	2.1	0.7×
driving controls	25	2.1	2.8×
structure and attachments	13	1.1	0.4×

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 GTR ZG1000 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 GTR ZG1000.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1998 (90.2% pass). Weakest: 1997 (74.5%).

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 GTR ZG1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI GTR ZG1000 reliable?

The KAWASAKI GTR ZG1000 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.1% of its 3,779 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3557 of 5426 models.

What does a GTR ZG1000 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 39% of all defects recorded against failed GTR ZG1000 tests.

What is the best year of GTR ZG1000 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (90.2%) and 1997 worst (74.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GTR ZG1000 last?

The median GTR ZG1000 shows 41,117 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 76.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.