KAWASAKI ZR 900 CLFB
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 CLFB's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.0 points since 2022, 100.0% to 94.0%.
What fails on a ZR 900 CLFB
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tyres |
|
5 | 38.5 | 0.8× |
| structure and attachments |
|
3 | 23.1 | 0.4× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
2 | 15.4 | 1.2× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
1 | 7.7 | 0.8× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
1 | 7.7 | 0.1× |
| steering |
|
1 | 7.7 | 0.3× |
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 CLFB 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 CLFB.
Compare with any bike
More KAWASAKI models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2019 (98.3% pass). Weakest: 2020 (94.8%).
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 CLFB FAQ
Is the KAWASAKI ZR 900 CLFB reliable?
The KAWASAKI ZR 900 CLFB is more reliable than average for its class: 95.8% of its 694 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #32 of 5428 models.
What does a ZR 900 CLFB fail its MOT on most?
tyres — 38% of all defects recorded against failed ZR 900 CLFB tests.
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