SUZUKI RF900

937cc Petrol Class 2

#3577 of 5426 overall #491 of 680 SUZUKIs #2275 of 2787 other bikes

80.0%

first-time pass rate

12.7%

failed outright

30,110

median miles at test

2,214

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The RF900's first-time pass rate has risen 6.2 points since 2006, 81.3% to 87.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the RF900's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage RF900 passes first time 81.8% of the time; by 50k that's 67.3%.

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 RF900

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	184	27.3	1.2×
lighting and signalling	169	25	1.3×
steering and suspension	137	20.3	1.5×
tyres and wheels	63	9.3	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	40	5.9	0.9×
drive system	34	5	1.6×
suspension	13	1.9	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	13	1.9	0.7×
body and structure	12	1.8	1.0×
reg plates and vin	10	1.5	0.6×

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 RF900 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 RF900.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1999 (87.0% pass). Weakest: 1994 (77.2%).

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 RF900 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI RF900 reliable?

The SUZUKI RF900 is less reliable than average for its class: 80.0% of its 2,214 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3577 of 5426 models.

What does a RF900 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 27% of all defects recorded against failed RF900 tests.

What is the best year of RF900 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1999-registered examples do best (87.0%) and 1994 worst (77.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a RF900 last?

The median RF900 shows 30,110 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 67.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.