KAWASAKI VN 1600 B7F MEAN STREAK

1552cc Petrol Class 2

#2089 of 5426 overall #237 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1277 of 2787 other bikes

86.4%

first-time pass rate

6.0%

failed outright

11,638

median miles at test

302

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN 1600 B7F MEAN STREAK's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN 1600 B7F MEAN STREAK passes first time 88.1% of the time; by 30k that's 70.0%.

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 VN 1600 B7F MEAN STREAK

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	12	33.3
lighting and signalling	7	19.4
brakes	6	16.7
suspension	4	11.1
tyres and wheels	2	5.6
steering and suspension	1	2.8
steering	1	2.8
Identification of the vehicle	1	2.8
structure and attachments	1	2.8
tyres	1	2.8

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VN 1600 B7F MEAN STREAK beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests YAMAHA XJR1300 87.4% pass · 95.1k 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 VN 1600 B7F MEAN STREAK.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (87.6% pass). Weakest: 2007 (81.3%).

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.