KAWASAKI ZR 1000 DBF

1043cc Petrol Class 2

#1986 of 5426 overall #228 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1204 of 2787 other bikes

86.7%

first-time pass rate

5.7%

failed outright

8,524

median miles at test

682

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2014–2025

The ZR 1000 DBF's first-time pass rate has risen 2.1 points since 2014, 89.4% to 91.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZR 1000 DBF's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZR 1000 DBF passes first time 87.8% of the time; by 20k that's 80.3%.

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 ZR 1000 DBF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	12	22.2	1.0×
tyres	9	16.7	1.7×
tyres and wheels	7	13	0.4×
reg plates and vin	7	13	1.3×
brakes	6	11.1	0.2×
structure and attachments	5	9.3	0.9×
Identification of the vehicle	3	5.6	1.9×
suspension	2	3.7	0.4×
body and structure	2	3.7	0.3×
drive system	1	1.9	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 ZR 1000 DBF beats 2 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 ZR 1000 DBF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (87.6% pass). Weakest: 2013 (80.5%).

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 ZR 1000 DBF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR 1000 DBF reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR 1000 DBF is about average for its class: 86.7% of its 682 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1986 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR 1000 DBF fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 22% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 1000 DBF tests.

What is the best year of ZR 1000 DBF to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (87.6%) and 2013 worst (80.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZR 1000 DBF last?

The median ZR 1000 DBF shows 8,524 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 80.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.