KAWASAKI VN 900 BAF CLASSIC

903cc Petrol Class 2

#587 of 5426 overall #67 of 592 KAWASAKIs #357 of 2787 other bikes

91.4%

first-time pass rate

3.9%

failed outright

7,905

median miles at test

709

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The VN 900 BAF CLASSIC's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.9 points since 2013, 89.3% to 85.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VN 900 BAF CLASSIC's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VN 900 BAF CLASSIC passes first time 93.7% of the time; by 20k that's 83.6%.

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 900 BAF CLASSIC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
tyres and wheels	13	32.5	0.7×
brakes	10	25	0.3×
tyres	5	12.5	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	5	12.5	0.4×
Identification of the vehicle	2	5	1.2×
reg plates and vin	2	5	0.5×
wheels	1	2.5	2.4×
structure and attachments	1	2.5	0.2×
suspension	1	2.5	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 900 BAF CLASSIC beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 900 BAF CLASSIC.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (91.3% pass). Weakest: 2010 (91.3%).

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.

KAWASAKI VN 900 BAF CLASSIC FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VN 900 BAF CLASSIC reliable?

The KAWASAKI VN 900 BAF CLASSIC is more reliable than average for its class: 91.4% of its 709 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #587 of 5426 models.

What does a VN 900 BAF CLASSIC fail its MOT on most?

tyres and wheels — 32% of all defects recorded against failed VN 900 BAF CLASSIC tests.

How many miles will a VN 900 BAF CLASSIC last?

The median VN 900 BAF CLASSIC shows 7,905 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 83.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.