Kawasaki Er vs Suzuki GSF600

The Kawasaki Er passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 86.2% vs 77.3%, a 8.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Kawasaki Er	Suzuki GSF600
First-time pass rate	86.2%	77.3%
Outright fail rate	7.1%	14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.7 pts	-6.1 pts
Engine size	649cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#2148 of 5428	#4013 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,117	21,080
MOT tests analysed	8,001	143,023
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	brakes

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	Kawasaki Er	Suzuki GSF600
Lights & signalling	2.9%	6.7%
Brakes	1.9%	6.1%
Tyres & wheels	1.9%	3.3%
Steering & suspension	1.4%	3.6%
Structure & body	1.7%	1.5%
Drive system	0.1%	1.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	1.2%

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	Kawasaki Er	Suzuki GSF600
2018	86.7%	77.7%
2019	87.5%	76.7%
2020	86.5%	77.8%
2021	86.9%	76.8%
2022	85.3%	78.1%
2023	84.3%	78.2%
2024	86.3%	78.9%
2025	86.2%	79.6%

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	Kawasaki Er	Suzuki GSF600
0k-10k miles	90.8%	86.8%
10k-20k miles	83.7%	80.1%
20k-30k miles	80.2%	75.2%
30k-40k miles	76.2%	71.3%
40k-50k miles	76.7%	69.4%
50k-60k miles	70.2%	68.3%

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

Kawasaki Er vs Suzuki GSF600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki Er or the Suzuki GSF600?

The Kawasaki Er passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 86.2% vs 77.3%, a 8.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki Er still comes out ahead: -0.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki Er, -6.1 for the Suzuki GSF600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kawasaki Er fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.9% of Kawasaki Er MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.9%).

What does the Suzuki GSF600 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.7% of Suzuki GSF600 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.1%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kawasaki Er or the Suzuki GSF600?

At 50k-60k miles the Kawasaki Er passes first time more often: 70.2% for the Kawasaki Er vs 68.3% for the Suzuki GSF600.

KAWASAKI ER 86.2% pass · 8,001 tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests

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