KAWASAKI ZR 900 BKF

948cc Petrol Class 2

#854 of 5426 overall #98 of 592 KAWASAKIs #518 of 2787 other bikes

90.3%

first-time pass rate

2.5%

failed outright

5,466

median miles at test

1,336

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2022–2025

The ZR 900 BKF's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2022 (91.3% → 91.4%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZR 900 BKF's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZR 900 BKF passes first time 91.1% of the time; by 20k that's 86.8%.

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 900 BKF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	17	34.7	0.6×
structure and attachments	9	18.4	0.8×
brakes	7	14.3	0.1×
tyres	6	12.2	0.7×
Identification of the vehicle	6	12.2	1.9×
audible warning (Horn)	2	4.1	0.8×
wheels	1	2	1.2×
steering	1	2	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 900 BKF 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 ZR 900 BKF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2020 (94.4% pass). Weakest: 2019 (89.6%).

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 900 BKF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR 900 BKF reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR 900 BKF is more reliable than average for its class: 90.3% of its 1,336 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #854 of 5426 models.

What does a ZR 900 BKF fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 35% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 900 BKF tests.

How many miles will a ZR 900 BKF last?

The median ZR 900 BKF shows 5,466 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 86.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.