KAWASAKI VULCAN

805cc Petrol Class 2

#3146 of 5426 overall #368 of 592 KAWASAKIs #453 of 465 cruiser bikes

82.2%

first-time pass rate

9.9%

failed outright

19,779

median miles at test

787

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The VULCAN's first-time pass rate has risen 13.1 points since 2006, 77.5% to 90.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VULCAN passes first time 84.9% of the time; by 40k that's 88.0%.

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 VULCAN

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	37	23.6	0.8×
tyres and wheels	24	15.3	1.2×
brakes	23	14.6	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	15	9.6	0.8×
steering and suspension	15	9.6	0.5×
structure and attachments	11	7	1.5×
reg plates and vin	11	7	2.0×
tyres	8	5.1	1.5×
fuel and exhaust	7	4.5	0.8×
drive system	6	3.8	0.7×

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 VULCAN beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883).

TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE 89.0% pass · 195k tests TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD 87.8% pass · 56.3k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883 87.4% pass · 41.2k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 87.9% pass · 18.5k 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 VULCAN.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (87.5% pass). Weakest: 1995 (79.0%).

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 VULCAN FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI VULCAN reliable?

The KAWASAKI VULCAN is less reliable than average for its class: 82.2% of its 787 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3146 of 5426 models.

What does a VULCAN fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed VULCAN tests.

What is the best year of VULCAN to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (87.5%) and 1995 worst (79.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VULCAN last?

The median VULCAN shows 19,779 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 88.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.