BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ KAWASAKI/ZR 900 CKFB
Model report · 2005–2025

KAWASAKI ZR 900 CKFB

948cc Petrol Class 2
95.1%
first-time pass rate
1.0%
failed outright
4,264
median miles at test
1,009
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZR 900 CKFB's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2022 (96.6% → 95.7%).

93%95%98%2022: 96.6% pass (234 tests)2023: 94.0% pass (283 tests)2024: 95.0% pass (221 tests)2025: 95.7% pass (255 tests)20222025

What fails on a ZR 900 CKFB

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
brakes
4 30.8 0.1×
lamps and reflectors
3 23.1 0.2×
structure and attachments
3 23.1 0.4×
Identification of the vehicle
1 7.7 0.4×
steering
1 7.7 0.2×
tyres
1 7.7 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 ZR 900 CKFB beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

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 CKFB.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2018 (97.5% pass). Weakest: 2019 (94.9%).

94%96%98%2018: 97.5% pass (81 tests)2019: 94.9% pass (764 tests)2020: 95.8% pass (144 tests)201820192020

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 CKFB FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZR 900 CKFB reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZR 900 CKFB is more reliable than average for its class: 95.1% of its 1,009 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #67 of 5426 models.

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

brakes — 31% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 900 CKFB tests.

What is the best year of ZR 900 CKFB to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2018-registered examples do best (97.5%) and 2019 worst (94.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.