BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Norton Triton/vs Suzuki GSF600
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Norton Triton vs Suzuki GSF600

The Norton Triton passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 92.1% vs 77.3%, a 14.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Norton Triton Suzuki GSF600
First-time pass rate 92.1% 77.3%
Outright fail rate 2.3% 14.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +5.9 pts -6.1 pts
Engine size 650cc 599cc
Rank among all models #455 of 5428 #4013 of 5428
Median miles at test 2,670 21,080
MOT tests analysed 1,496 143,023
Most common failure lighting and signalling 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 Norton Triton Suzuki GSF600
Lights & signalling 1.2% 6.7%
Brakes 0.5% 6.1%
Steering & suspension 0.8% 3.6%
Tyres & wheels 0.5% 3.3%
Structure & body 0.3% 1.5%
Fuel & exhaust 0.3% 1.2%
Drive system 0% 1.4%

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 Norton Triton Suzuki GSF600
2010 94.4% 75.8%
2011 92.6% 76.1%
2012 85.3% 75.9%
2013 90.4% 74.7%
2014 89.7% 75.0%
2015 96.7% 75.5%
2016 97.3% 76.1%
2017 95.6% 77.0%

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 Norton Triton Suzuki GSF600
0k-10k miles 91.5% 86.8%
10k-20k miles 96.1% 80.1%
20k-30k miles 91.5% 75.2%
30k-40k miles 90.7% 71.3%
40k-50k miles 87.5% 69.4%
50k-60k miles 96.7% 68.3%

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

Norton Triton vs Suzuki GSF600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Norton Triton or the Suzuki GSF600?

The Norton Triton passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 92.1% vs 77.3%, a 14.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Norton Triton still comes out ahead: +5.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Norton Triton, -6.1 for the Suzuki GSF600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Norton Triton fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.2% of Norton Triton MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.8%).

What does the Suzuki GSF600 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.7% of Suzuki GSF600 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.1%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Norton Triton or the Suzuki GSF600?

At 50k-60k miles the Norton Triton passes first time more often: 96.7% for the Norton Triton vs 68.3% for the Suzuki GSF600.

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