BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man vs Yamaha YZF-R1

The Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 89.6% vs 84.1%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man Yamaha YZF-R1
First-time pass rate 89.6% 84.1%
Outright fail rate 4.1% 7.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +3.0 pts -0.5 pts
Engine size 999cc 998cc
Rank among all models #1077 of 5428 #2721 of 5428
Median miles at test 9,097 16,705
MOT tests analysed 508 231,553
Most common failure brakes 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 Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man Yamaha YZF-R1
Lights & signalling 1.2% 4.3%
Tyres & wheels 1.2% 1.9%
Brakes 1.0% 1.7%
Steering & suspension 1.0% 1.4%
Fuel & exhaust 0.2% 0.5%
Structure & body 0% 0.6%
Drive system 0% 0.4%

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 Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man Yamaha YZF-R1
2010 86.5% 81.3%
2011 92.6% 81.8%
2012 95.6% 82.8%
2013 94.9% 82.8%
2014 88.4% 82.9%
2015 88.1% 84.0%
2016 83.8% 84.3%
2017 87.9% 84.8%

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 Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man Yamaha YZF-R1
0k-10k miles 91.4% 87.8%
10k-20k miles 90.8% 84.7%
20k-30k miles 83.1% 82.4%

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

Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man vs Yamaha YZF-R1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man or the Yamaha YZF-R1?

The Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YZF-R1: 89.6% vs 84.1%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man still comes out ahead: +3.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man, -0.5 for the Yamaha YZF-R1. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.2% of Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.2%).

What does the Yamaha YZF-R1 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.3% of Yamaha YZF-R1 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man or the Yamaha YZF-R1?

They are level: at 20k-30k miles the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K7 Isle Of Man passes 83.1% first time and the Yamaha YZF-R1 82.4%.

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