KAWASAKI Z1100 R1

1089cc Petrol Class 2

#1111 of 5426 overall #135 of 592 KAWASAKIs #678 of 2787 other bikes

89.5%

first-time pass rate

4.8%

failed outright

29,117

median miles at test

704

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2023

The Z1100 R1's first-time pass rate has risen 10.7 points since 2006, 89.3% to 100.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the Z1100 R1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage Z1100 R1 passes first time 90.0% of the time; by 50k that's 81.3%.

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 Z1100 R1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	33	35.9	0.5×
brakes	24	26.1	0.5×
steering and suspension	8	8.7	0.3×
tyres and wheels	7	7.6	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	6	6.5	1.1×
reg plates and vin	4	4.3	0.7×
drive system	4	4.3	0.8×
driving controls	3	3.3	1.8×
structure and attachments	2	2.2	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	1	1.1	0.1×

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 Z1100 R1 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 Z1100 R1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1984 (90.9% pass). Weakest: 1986 (87.4%).

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 Z1100 R1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI Z1100 R1 reliable?

The KAWASAKI Z1100 R1 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.5% of its 704 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1111 of 5426 models.

What does a Z1100 R1 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed Z1100 R1 tests.

What is the best year of Z1100 R1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1984-registered examples do best (90.9%) and 1986 worst (87.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a Z1100 R1 last?

The median Z1100 R1 shows 29,117 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 81.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.