Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Kawasaki GPZ900R vs Triumph Speed Triple
The Triumph Speed Triple passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki GPZ900R: 85.6% vs 81.4%, a 4.2-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Kawasaki GPZ900R | Triumph Speed Triple |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 81.4% | 85.6% |
| Outright fail rate | 11.9% | 7.3% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -0.5 pts | -0.2 pts |
| Engine size | 908cc | 1,050cc |
| Rank among all models | #3291 of 5428 | #2333 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 35,608 | 12,419 |
| MOT tests analysed | 10,976 | 74,618 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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
| Component | Kawasaki GPZ900R | Triumph Speed Triple |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 5.4% | 3.2% |
| Brakes | 5.5% | 2.3% |
| Steering & suspension | 5.0% | 1.6% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Structure & body | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| Drive system | 0.9% | 0.2% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.8% | 0.3% |
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
| Test year | Kawasaki GPZ900R | Triumph Speed Triple |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 87.5% | 85.9% |
| 2019 | 85.3% | 85.7% |
| 2020 | 87.2% | 88.2% |
| 2021 | 88.6% | 86.6% |
| 2022 | 91.9% | 87.2% |
| 2023 | 88.7% | 87.3% |
| 2024 | 85.8% | 87.3% |
| 2025 | 89.2% | 87.7% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Kawasaki GPZ900R | Triumph Speed Triple |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 82.6% | 88.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 85.6% | 85.5% |
| 20k-30k miles | 82.5% | 82.8% |
| 30k-40k miles | 79.8% | 80.4% |
| 40k-50k miles | 80.7% | 80.3% |
| 50k-60k miles | 79.9% | 79.6% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Kawasaki GPZ900R vs Triumph Speed Triple FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki GPZ900R or the Triumph Speed Triple?
The Triumph Speed Triple passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki GPZ900R: 85.6% vs 81.4%, a 4.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-0.5 vs -0.2 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Kawasaki GPZ900R fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 5.5% of Kawasaki GPZ900R MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (5.4%).
What does the Triumph Speed Triple fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Triumph Speed Triple MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.3%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kawasaki GPZ900R or the Triumph Speed Triple?
They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Kawasaki GPZ900R passes 79.9% first time and the Triumph Speed Triple 79.6%.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.