KAWASAKI ZR 750 J1H

748cc Petrol Class 2

#3577 of 5426 overall #424 of 592 KAWASAKIs #2275 of 2787 other bikes

80.0%

first-time pass rate

10.6%

failed outright

15,406

median miles at test

4,238

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The ZR 750 J1H's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.4 points since 2007, 84.3% to 76.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZR 750 J1H's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZR 750 J1H passes first time 88.3% of the time; by 50k that's 83.7%.

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 750 J1H

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	218	25.4	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	148	17.2	1.4×
brakes	147	17.1	0.6×
tyres and wheels	100	11.7	1.0×
steering and suspension	66	7.7	0.4×
reg plates and vin	56	6.5	1.6×
tyres	37	4.3	1.1×
drive system	33	3.8	0.9×
structure and attachments	27	3.1	0.6×
suspension	26	3	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 ZR 750 J1H beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 750 J1H.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (80.5% pass). Weakest: 2003 (76.2%).

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 ZR 750 J1H FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR 750 J1H reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR 750 J1H is less reliable than average for its class: 80.0% of its 4,238 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3577 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR 750 J1H fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 25% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 750 J1H tests.

What is the best year of ZR 750 J1H to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (80.5%) and 2003 worst (76.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZR 750 J1H last?

The median ZR 750 J1H shows 15,406 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.