KAWASAKI ZRX1200S

1165cc Petrol Class 2

#1748 of 5426 overall #206 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1058 of 2787 other bikes

87.5%

first-time pass rate

6.8%

failed outright

19,086

median miles at test

6,695

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ZRX1200S's first-time pass rate has risen 4.8 points since 2005, 85.7% to 90.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZRX1200S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZRX1200S passes first time 89.3% of the time; by 50k that's 84.1%.

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 ZRX1200S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	216	27.2	0.6×
lighting and signalling	183	23	0.5×
steering and suspension	152	19.1	0.6×
tyres and wheels	91	11.4	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	61	7.7	0.4×
suspension	25	3.1	0.5×
steering	20	2.5	0.5×
drive system	17	2.1	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	15	1.9	0.3×
tyres	15	1.9	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the ZRX1200S beats 2 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 ZRX1200S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (88.9% pass). Weakest: 2001 (85.5%).

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 ZRX1200S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZRX1200S reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZRX1200S is more reliable than average for its class: 87.5% of its 6,695 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1748 of 5426 models.

What does a ZRX1200S fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 27% of all defects recorded against failed ZRX1200S tests.

What is the best year of ZRX1200S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (88.9%) and 2001 worst (85.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ZRX1200S last?

The median ZRX1200S shows 19,086 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.