KAWASAKI KLR650

651cc Petrol Class 2

#3626 of 5426 overall #432 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2313 of 2787 other bikes

79.8%

first-time pass rate

10.9%

failed outright

18,975

median miles at test

3,126

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The KLR650's first-time pass rate has risen 8.0 points since 2005, 80.4% to 88.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KLR650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KLR650 passes first time 83.3% of the time; by 50k that's 75.8%.

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 KLR650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	218	26.7	1.0×
brakes	215	26.4	1.2×
steering and suspension	125	15.3	1.0×
tyres and wheels	68	8.3	0.9×
drive system	51	6.3	1.6×
lamps and reflectors	42	5.2	0.5×
structure and attachments	26	3.2	0.8×
reg plates and vin	25	3.1	1.2×
fuel and exhaust	23	2.8	0.8×
body and structure	22	2.7	1.0×

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 KLR650 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 KLR650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (89.5% pass). Weakest: 1990 (71.7%).

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 KLR650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLR650 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLR650 is less reliable than average for its class: 79.8% of its 3,126 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3626 of 5426 models.

What does a KLR650 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed KLR650 tests.

What is the best year of KLR650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (89.5%) and 1990 worst (71.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KLR650 last?

The median KLR650 shows 18,975 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.