KAWASAKI KLE650

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2411 of 5426 overall #274 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1507 of 2787 other bikes

85.3%

first-time pass rate

7.1%

failed outright

15,324

median miles at test

2,952

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2025

The KLE650's first-time pass rate has risen 2.8 points since 2010, 81.1% to 83.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KLE650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KLE650 passes first time 90.5% of the time; by 50k that's 83.3%.

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 KLE650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	70	19	0.4×
tyres and wheels	50	13.6	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	47	12.7	0.8×
lighting and signalling	47	12.7	0.3×
structure and attachments	36	9.8	1.3×
suspension	32	8.7	1.2×
steering and suspension	30	8.1	0.3×
tyres	28	7.6	1.1×
steering	17	4.6	1.1×
drive system	12	3.3	0.5×

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 KLE650 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 KLE650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (98.1% pass). Weakest: 2008 (81.5%).

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 KLE650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLE650 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLE650 is about average for its class: 85.3% of its 2,952 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2411 of 5426 models.

What does a KLE650 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 19% of all defects recorded against failed KLE650 tests.

What is the best year of KLE650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (98.1%) and 2008 worst (81.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KLE650 last?

The median KLE650 shows 15,324 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.