SUZUKI GS650

673cc Petrol Class 2

#3378 of 5426 overall #455 of 680 SUZUKIs #2157 of 2787 other bikes

81.0%

first-time pass rate

10.3%

failed outright

32,756

median miles at test

2,033

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2023

The GS650's first-time pass rate has risen 7.1 points since 2005, 75.0% to 82.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GS650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GS650 passes first time 81.1% of the time; by 50k that's 83.5%.

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 GS650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	145	29.2	1.1×
lighting and signalling	140	28.2	1.1×
steering and suspension	75	15.1	0.9×
tyres and wheels	39	7.9	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	28	5.6	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	28	5.6	1.4×
body and structure	14	2.8	1.3×
driving controls	11	2.2	2.3×
reg plates and vin	9	1.8	0.7×
structure and attachments	7	1.4	0.4×

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 GS650 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 GS650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1985 (84.0% pass). Weakest: 1983 (77.9%).

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.

SUZUKI GS650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GS650 reliable?

The SUZUKI GS650 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.0% of its 2,033 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3378 of 5426 models.

What does a GS650 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 29% of all defects recorded against failed GS650 tests.

What is the best year of GS650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1985-registered examples do best (84.0%) and 1983 worst (77.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GS650 last?

The median GS650 shows 32,756 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.