BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF/vs Triumph Sprint
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF vs Triumph Sprint

The Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 93.1% vs 85.6%, a 7.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate 93.1% 85.6%
Outright fail rate 2.9% 8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +5.9 pts +1.8 pts
Engine size 1,043cc 955cc
Rank among all models #279 of 5428 #2333 of 5428
Median miles at test 11,397 20,615
MOT tests analysed 1,542 132,827
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 KLZ 1000 BHF Triumph Sprint
Brakes 0.5% 3.7%
Lights & signalling 1.2% 2.8%
Steering & suspension 0.9% 2.5%
Tyres & wheels 0.6% 2.2%
Structure & body 0.5% 0.6%
Drive system 0% 0.4%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 0.2%

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 KLZ 1000 BHF Triumph Sprint
2020 95.5% 86.4%
2021 92.0% 86.7%
2022 91.9% 85.9%
2023 93.5% 86.4%
2024 91.9% 86.8%
2025 94.3% 86.8%

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 BHF Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles 94.4% 90.9%
10k-20k miles 91.1% 87.5%
20k-30k miles 93.0% 85.0%
30k-40k miles 88.1% 82.1%

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

Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF or the Triumph Sprint?

The Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 93.1% vs 85.6%, a 7.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF still comes out ahead: +5.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Lights & signalling: 1.2% of Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.9%).

What does the Triumph Sprint fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.7% of Triumph Sprint MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF or the Triumph Sprint?

At 30k-40k miles the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF passes first time more often: 88.1% for the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 BHF vs 82.1% for the Triumph Sprint.

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