Honda CBR 500 Ra-K vs Suzuki GSXR600

The Honda CBR 500 Ra-K passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSXR600: 90.8% vs 76.7%, a 14.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Honda CBR 500 Ra-K	Suzuki GSXR600
First-time pass rate	90.8%	76.7%
Outright fail rate	4.8%	14.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.4 pts	-7.8 pts
Engine size	471cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#727 of 5428	#4096 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,575	17,241
MOT tests analysed	1,098	149,443
Most common failure	structure and attachments	lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Honda CBR 500 Ra-K	Suzuki GSXR600
Lights & signalling	1.1%	8.1%
Brakes	1.6%	4.9%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	1.3%	3.4%
Structure & body	1.6%	1.3%
Drive system	0%	1.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.9%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Honda CBR 500 Ra-K	Suzuki GSXR600
2022	92.1%	78.7%
2023	92.4%	78.8%
2024	89.2%	79.3%
2025	90.0%	81.5%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Honda CBR 500 Ra-K	Suzuki GSXR600
0k-10k miles	93.4%	84.9%
10k-20k miles	85.3%	78.0%
20k-30k miles	83.3%	72.9%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Honda CBR 500 Ra-K vs Suzuki GSXR600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CBR 500 Ra-K or the Suzuki GSXR600?

The Honda CBR 500 Ra-K passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSXR600: 90.8% vs 76.7%, a 14.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR 500 Ra-K still comes out ahead: +2.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBR 500 Ra-K, -7.8 for the Suzuki GSXR600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CBR 500 Ra-K fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.6% of Honda CBR 500 Ra-K MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (1.6%).

What does the Suzuki GSXR600 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.1% of Suzuki GSXR600 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CBR 500 Ra-K or the Suzuki GSXR600?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CBR 500 Ra-K passes first time more often: 83.3% for the Honda CBR 500 Ra-K vs 72.9% for the Suzuki GSXR600.

HONDA CBR 500 RA-K 90.8% pass · 1,098 tests SUZUKI GSXR600 76.7% pass · 149k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.