KAWASAKI KLE 650 CBF

649cc Petrol Class 2

#1303 of 5426 overall #161 of 592 KAWASAKIs #798 of 2787 other bikes

88.9%

first-time pass rate

5.4%

failed outright

13,958

median miles at test

1,694

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The KLE 650 CBF's first-time pass rate has risen 5.4 points since 2014, 86.1% to 91.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage KLE 650 CBF passes first time 94.0% of the time; by 40k that's 75.6%.

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 KLE 650 CBF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	22	14.6	0.8×
brakes	20	13.2	0.2×
structure and attachments	19	12.6	1.3×
tyres	18	11.9	1.4×
suspension	18	11.9	1.3×
drive system	15	9.9	0.7×
tyres and wheels	15	9.9	0.4×
lighting and signalling	14	9.3	0.2×
steering and suspension	6	4	0.1×
steering	4	2.6	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 KLE 650 CBF 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 KLE 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 (90.9% pass). Weakest: 2011 (87.2%).

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 KLE 650 CBF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLE 650 CBF reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLE 650 CBF is more reliable than average for its class: 88.9% of its 1,694 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1303 of 5426 models.

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

lamps and reflectors — 15% of all defects recorded against failed KLE 650 CBF tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (90.9%) and 2011 worst (87.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KLE 650 CBF last?

The median KLE 650 CBF shows 13,958 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 75.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.