Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 85.1% vs 82.4%, a 2.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H	Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate	85.1%	82.4%
Outright fail rate	7.2%	8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	0.0 pts	-1.2 pts
Engine size	953cc	1,157cc
Rank among all models	#2469 of 5428	#3108 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,012	20,274
MOT tests analysed	6,225	97,637
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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 ZR 1000 A1H	Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling	4.1%	4.5%
Brakes	1.4%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	1.5%	2.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.7%	2.0%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	0.8%
Drive system	0.3%	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 ZR 1000 A1H	Suzuki GSF1200
2018	87.9%	83.2%
2019	87.7%	82.9%
2020	88.4%	83.4%
2021	85.7%	82.9%
2022	82.3%	83.6%
2023	86.6%	83.8%
2024	88.2%	83.4%
2025	85.8%	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 ZR 1000 A1H	Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles	86.2%	87.7%
10k-20k miles	85.9%	83.8%
20k-30k miles	83.9%	81.1%
30k-40k miles	82.3%	78.5%
40k-50k miles	79.5%	78.4%
50k-60k miles	92.2%	78.8%

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

Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 85.1% vs 82.4%, a 2.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H still comes out ahead: 0.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.1% of Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.7%).

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 ZR 1000 A1H or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 50k-60k miles the Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H passes first time more often: 92.2% for the Kawasaki ZR 1000 A1H vs 78.8% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

KAWASAKI ZR 1000 A1H 85.1% pass · 6,225 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.