SUZUKI GSF 1200 ZK5

1157cc Petrol Class 2

#1818 of 5426 overall #216 of 680 SUZUKIs #1101 of 2787 other bikes

87.3%

first-time pass rate

6.3%

failed outright

13,930

median miles at test

912

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

The GSF 1200 ZK5's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.2 points since 2008, 92.6% to 91.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSF 1200 ZK5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSF 1200 ZK5 passes first time 89.3% of the time; by 30k that's 83.8%.

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 ZK5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	23	22.1	0.4×
tyres and wheels	17	16.3	0.8×
brakes	15	14.4	0.3×
steering and suspension	12	11.5	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	10	9.6	0.6×
structure and attachments	7	6.7	0.6×
drive system	7	6.7	0.5×
reg plates and vin	7	6.7	1.3×
suspension	3	2.9	0.4×
tyres	3	2.9	0.5×

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 ZK5 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 GSF 1200 ZK5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (87.6% pass). Weakest: 2005 (87.6%).

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 ZK5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSF 1200 ZK5 reliable?

The SUZUKI GSF 1200 ZK5 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.3% of its 912 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1818 of 5426 models.

What does a GSF 1200 ZK5 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 22% of all defects recorded against failed GSF 1200 ZK5 tests.

How many miles will a GSF 1200 ZK5 last?

The median GSF 1200 ZK5 shows 13,930 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 83.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.