KAWASAKI ZX 1000 GBF

1043cc Petrol Class 2

#726 of 5426 overall #81 of 592 KAWASAKIs #444 of 2787 other bikes

90.8%

first-time pass rate

3.9%

failed outright

13,134

median miles at test

1,772

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2014–2025

The ZX 1000 GBF's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2014 (88.1% → 88.8%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZX 1000 GBF's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ZX 1000 GBF passes first time 94.0% of the time; by 30k that's 86.2%.

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 ZX 1000 GBF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	23	21.1	0.7×
lighting and signalling	15	13.8	0.1×
brakes	13	11.9	0.1×
tyres	13	11.9	1.0×
suspension	11	10.1	0.8×
steering	10	9.2	1.2×
tyres and wheels	9	8.3	0.2×
structure and attachments	9	8.3	0.5×
drive system	4	3.7	0.3×
reg plates and vin	2	1.8	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 ZX 1000 GBF 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 ZX 1000 GBF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (91.0% pass). Weakest: 2012 (89.3%).

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 ZX 1000 GBF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ZX 1000 GBF reliable?

The KAWASAKI ZX 1000 GBF is more reliable than average for its class: 90.8% of its 1,772 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #726 of 5426 models.

What does a ZX 1000 GBF fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 21% of all defects recorded against failed ZX 1000 GBF tests.

How many miles will a ZX 1000 GBF last?

The median ZX 1000 GBF shows 13,134 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 86.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.