KAWASAKI ZR 900 CKFB
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The ZR 900 CKFB's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2022 (96.6% → 95.7%).
What fails on a ZR 900 CKFB
| 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
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.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2018 (97.5% pass). Weakest: 2019 (94.9%).
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
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 5428 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.
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