KAWASAKI VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR

1552cc Petrol Class 2

#988 of 5426 overall #117 of 592 KAWASAKIs #605 of 2787 other bikes

89.9%

first-time pass rate

5.5%

failed outright

15,180

median miles at test

1,010

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR's first-time pass rate has risen 2.7 points since 2010, 90.8% to 93.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR passes first time 91.9% of the time; by 40k that's 84.8%.

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 VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	25	27.2	0.4×
tyres and wheels	16	17.4	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	14	15.2	0.6×
lighting and signalling	11	12	0.2×
tyres	10	10.9	1.3×
reg plates and vin	6	6.5	1.0×
fuel and exhaust	5	5.4	0.7×
steering and suspension	2	2.2	0.1×
Identification of the vehicle	2	2.2	0.9×
steering	1	1.1	0.2×

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 VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR beats 3 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 D6F CLASSIC TOUR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (94.2% pass). Weakest: 2007 (88.2%).

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 VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR is more reliable than average for its class: 89.9% of its 1,010 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #988 of 5426 models.

What does a VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 27% of all defects recorded against failed VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR tests.

What is the best year of VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (94.2%) and 2007 worst (88.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR last?

The median VN 1600 D6F CLASSIC TOUR shows 15,180 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 84.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.