KAWASAKI KR1S

249cc Petrol Class 2

#3073 of 5426 overall #363 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1951 of 2787 other bikes

82.5%

first-time pass rate

10.8%

failed outright

18,788

median miles at test

1,180

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The KR1S's first-time pass rate has risen 23.0 points since 2006, 74.3% to 97.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KR1S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage KR1S passes first time 89.0% of the time; by 30k that's 82.8%.

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 KR1S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	108	31.4	1.3×
steering and suspension	84	24.4	1.7×
brakes	74	21.5	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	24	7	0.4×
drive system	15	4.4	1.6×
tyres and wheels	12	3.5	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	11	3.2	1.0×
reg plates and vin	6	1.7	0.9×
audible warning (Horn)	5	1.5	2.3×
structure and attachments	5	1.5	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 KR1S beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 KR1S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1989 (85.1% pass). Weakest: 1991 (78.1%).

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 KR1S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KR1S reliable?

The KAWASAKI KR1S is less reliable than average for its class: 82.5% of its 1,180 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3073 of 5426 models.

What does a KR1S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed KR1S tests.

What is the best year of KR1S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1989-registered examples do best (85.1%) and 1991 worst (78.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KR1S last?

The median KR1S shows 18,788 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 82.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.