SUZUKI GSF 1200 SK5

1157cc Petrol Class 2

#3109 of 5426 overall #407 of 680 SUZUKIs #1979 of 2787 other bikes

82.4%

first-time pass rate

8.2%

failed outright

17,850

median miles at test

574

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2017

The GSF 1200 SK5's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.5 points since 2008, 86.8% to 83.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSF 1200 SK5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSF 1200 SK5 passes first time 90.8% of the time; by 40k that's 77.8%.

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 GSF 1200 SK5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	25	26.9	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	23	24.7	1.7×
suspension	13	14	2.8×
lighting and signalling	8	8.6	0.4×
tyres and wheels	7	7.5	0.5×
drive system	5	5.4	0.7×
tyres	5	5.4	1.0×
structure and attachments	3	3.2	0.8×
Identification of the vehicle	2	2.2	1.5×
driving controls	2	2.2	1.5×

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 GSF 1200 SK5 beats 0 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 GSF 1200 SK5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (83.2% pass). Weakest: 2005 (83.2%).

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 GSF 1200 SK5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSF 1200 SK5 reliable?

The SUZUKI GSF 1200 SK5 is less reliable than average for its class: 82.4% of its 574 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3109 of 5426 models.

What does a GSF 1200 SK5 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 27% of all defects recorded against failed GSF 1200 SK5 tests.

How many miles will a GSF 1200 SK5 last?

The median GSF 1200 SK5 shows 17,850 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 77.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.