KTM 1290 Superduke R 19 vs Kawasaki Z1000

The KTM 1290 Superduke R 19 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki Z1000: 88.8% vs 84.5%, a 4.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 1290 Superduke R 19	Kawasaki Z1000
First-time pass rate	88.8%	84.5%
Outright fail rate	4.3%	7.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.3 pts	-0.5 pts
Engine size	1,301cc	953cc
Rank among all models	#1332 of 5428	#2613 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,874	17,154
MOT tests analysed	1,149	22,743
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	KTM 1290 Superduke R 19	Kawasaki Z1000
Lights & signalling	2.0%	4.0%
Brakes	1.1%	2.2%
Steering & suspension	0.2%	1.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.5%	1.6%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.6%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.4%
Drive system	0%	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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	KTM 1290 Superduke R 19	Kawasaki Z1000
2022	86.3%	88.1%
2023	86.0%	86.5%
2024	90.6%	85.1%
2025	92.5%	85.9%

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	KTM 1290 Superduke R 19	Kawasaki Z1000
0k-10k miles	89.2%	87.2%
10k-20k miles	87.5%	85.7%

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

KTM 1290 Superduke R 19 vs Kawasaki Z1000 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 1290 Superduke R 19 or the Kawasaki Z1000?

The KTM 1290 Superduke R 19 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki Z1000: 88.8% vs 84.5%, a 4.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+0.3 vs -0.5 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 KTM 1290 Superduke R 19 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.0% of KTM 1290 Superduke R 19 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.1%).

What does the Kawasaki Z1000 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.0% of Kawasaki Z1000 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.2%).

KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 19 88.8% pass · 1,149 tests KAWASAKI Z1000 84.5% pass · 22.7k tests

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