BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ SUZUKI/GSX 1300 RK5
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

SUZUKI GSX 1300 RK5

1299cc Petrol Class 2
#2148 of 5428 overall #256 of 680 SUZUKIs #1325 of 2788 other bikes
86.2%
first-time pass rate
9.0%
failed outright
14,545
median miles at test
1,959
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+1.0pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

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

The GSX 1300 RK5's first-time pass rate has risen 4.9 points since 2008, 83.8% to 88.7%.

78%86%93%2008: 83.8% pass (105 tests)2009: 86.5% pass (148 tests)2010: 84.5% pass (155 tests)2011: 86.6% pass (149 tests)2012: 86.1% pass (144 tests)2013: 84.0% pass (150 tests)2014: 85.0% pass (133 tests)2015: 86.9% pass (122 tests)2016: 89.3% pass (121 tests)2017: 80.4% pass (112 tests)2018: 90.7% pass (86 tests)2019: 89.5% pass (86 tests)2020: 86.7% pass (75 tests)2021: 85.1% pass (94 tests)2022: 89.0% pass (82 tests)2023: 89.3% pass (75 tests)2024: 84.7% pass (59 tests)2025: 88.7% pass (62 tests)20082025

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSX 1300 RK5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSX 1300 RK5 passes first time 89.5% of the time; by 40k that's 82.0%.

80%86%91%0k: 89.5% pass (607 tests)10k: 87.2% pass (745 tests)20k: 81.6% pass (353 tests)30k: 81.7% pass (169 tests)40k: 82.0% pass (50 tests)0k20k40k

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 GSX 1300 RK5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
steering and suspension
70 22.4 0.9×
lighting and signalling
68 21.7 0.6×
brakes
61 19.5 0.5×
tyres and wheels
42 13.4 1.0×
lamps and reflectors
22 7 0.6×
suspension
18 5.8 1.1×
tyres
9 2.9 0.7×
reg plates and vin
8 2.6 0.6×
steering
8 2.6 1.0×
structure and attachments
7 2.2 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 GSX 1300 RK5 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests Compare head-to-head →
BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests Compare head-to-head →
TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 GSX 1300 RK5.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the GSX 1300 RK5

More SUZUKI models

other SUZUKI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
SUZUKI GSXR600 76.7% pass · 149k tests
SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests
SUZUKI GSXR750 79.8% pass · 99.2k tests
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests
SUZUKI GSXR1000 83.8% pass · 97.5k tests
SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k tests

See all SUZUKI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2006 (89.5%). Lowest: 2004 (81.4%). Every GSX 1300 RK5 year compared →

80%85%91%2004: 81.4% pass (70 tests)2005: 85.0% pass (1,268 tests)2006: 89.5% pass (590 tests)200420052006

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 GSX 1300 RK5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSX 1300 RK5 reliable?

The SUZUKI GSX 1300 RK5 is about average for its class: 86.2% of its 1,959 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2148 of 5428 models.

What does a GSX 1300 RK5 fail its MOT on most?

steering and suspension: 22% of all defects recorded against failed GSX 1300 RK5 tests.

What is the best year of GSX 1300 RK5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (89.5%) and 2004 worst (81.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GSX 1300 RK5 last?

The median GSX 1300 RK5 shows 14,545 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 82.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.

Embed this bike

Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live Suzuki GSX 1300 RK5 reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.