KAWASAKI KL650

651cc Petrol Class 2

#3854 of 5426 overall #457 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2443 of 2787 other bikes

78.4%

first-time pass rate

12.4%

failed outright

23,726

median miles at test

2,020

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The KL650's first-time pass rate has risen 11.5 points since 2006, 77.6% to 89.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KL650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KL650 passes first time 84.1% of the time; by 50k that's 77.1%.

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 KL650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	159	29.1	1.3×
lighting and signalling	143	26.2	1.1×
steering and suspension	84	15.4	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	45	8.2	0.9×
tyres and wheels	29	5.3	0.5×
drive system	29	5.3	1.7×
suspension	15	2.7	0.8×
structure and attachments	14	2.6	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	14	2.6	0.7×
reg plates and vin	14	2.6	1.1×

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 KL650 beats 2 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 KL650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (93.2% pass). Weakest: 1991 (70.5%).

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 KL650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KL650 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KL650 is less reliable than average for its class: 78.4% of its 2,020 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3854 of 5426 models.

What does a KL650 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 29% of all defects recorded against failed KL650 tests.

What is the best year of KL650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (93.2%) and 1991 worst (70.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KL650 last?

The median KL650 shows 23,726 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.