Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 89.1% vs 82.4%, a 6.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf	Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate	89.1%	82.4%
Outright fail rate	4.8%	8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+3.9 pts	-1.2 pts
Engine size	1,043cc	1,157cc
Rank among all models	#1243 of 5428	#3108 of 5428
Median miles at test	16,034	20,274
MOT tests analysed	2,422	97,637
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf	Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling	2.4%	4.5%
Brakes	1.0%	2.8%
Tyres & wheels	1.6%	2.0%
Steering & suspension	1.0%	2.2%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.8%
Drive system	0.1%	0.6%

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 KLZ 1000 Acf	Suzuki GSF1200
2018	88.9%	83.2%
2019	89.3%	82.9%
2020	88.1%	83.4%
2021	86.4%	82.9%
2022	88.7%	83.6%
2023	84.1%	83.8%
2024	87.0%	83.4%
2025	80.8%	84.1%

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 KLZ 1000 Acf	Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles	94.7%	87.7%
10k-20k miles	90.4%	83.8%
20k-30k miles	85.1%	81.1%
30k-40k miles	79.9%	78.5%
40k-50k miles	86.7%	78.4%

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

Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 89.1% vs 82.4%, a 6.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf still comes out ahead: +3.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.4% of Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.6%).

What does the Suzuki GSF1200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Suzuki GSF1200 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 40k-50k miles the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf passes first time more often: 86.7% for the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf vs 78.4% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

KAWASAKI KLZ 1000 ACF 89.1% pass · 2,422 tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests

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