KAWASAKI ZRX1200R

1165cc Petrol Class 2

#1047 of 5426 overall #126 of 592 KAWASAKIs #641 of 2787 other bikes

89.7%

first-time pass rate

5.0%

failed outright

16,310

median miles at test

10.6k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The ZRX1200R's first-time pass rate has risen 2.5 points since 2005, 90.5% to 93.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZRX1200R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZRX1200R passes first time 92.8% of the time; by 50k that's 85.7%.

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 ZRX1200R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	221	25.2	0.4×
brakes	197	22.5	0.4×
tyres and wheels	120	13.7	0.5×
steering and suspension	108	12.3	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	70	8	0.3×
reg plates and vin	51	5.8	0.7×
tyres	32	3.6	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	28	3.2	0.3×
suspension	27	3.1	0.3×
drive system	23	2.6	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 ZRX1200R 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 ZRX1200R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (93.5% pass). Weakest: 2001 (87.4%).

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 ZRX1200R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZRX1200R reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZRX1200R is more reliable than average for its class: 89.7% of its 10,590 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1047 of 5426 models.

What does a ZRX1200R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 25% of all defects recorded against failed ZRX1200R tests.

What is the best year of ZRX1200R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (93.5%) and 2001 worst (87.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZRX1200R last?

The median ZRX1200R shows 16,310 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.