Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7 vs Honda CBR900RR

The Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 93.1% vs 83.2%, a 9.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7	Honda CBR900RR
First-time pass rate	93.1%	83.2%
Outright fail rate	3.0%	9.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+3.8 pts	+0.1 pts
Engine size	1,000cc	918cc
Rank among all models	#279 of 5428	#2911 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,172	22,163
MOT tests analysed	1,164	165,881
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	Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7	Honda CBR900RR
Lights & signalling	1.2%	3.9%
Steering & suspension	0.4%	3.6%
Brakes	0.4%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.6%
Drive system	0%	0.5%

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 RAL7	Honda CBR900RR
2020	95.8%	85.5%
2021	90.0%	86.2%
2022	92.2%	86.6%
2023	92.2%	87.7%
2024	95.0%	87.0%
2025	94.1%	88.8%

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 RAL7	Honda CBR900RR
0k-10k miles	92.7%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	89.7%	85.5%

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

Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7 vs Honda CBR900RR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7 or the Honda CBR900RR?

The Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 93.1% vs 83.2%, a 9.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7 still comes out ahead: +3.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7, +0.1 for the Honda CBR900RR. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.2% of Suzuki Gsxr 1000 RAL7 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (0.8%).

What does the Honda CBR900RR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.9% of Honda CBR900RR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.6%).

SUZUKI GSXR 1000 RAL7 93.1% pass · 1,164 tests HONDA CBR900RR 83.2% pass · 166k tests

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