Triumph Speed Master 865 vs Kawasaki ZX-9R

The Triumph Speed Master 865 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-9R: 85.9% vs 80.7%, a 5.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Triumph Speed Master 865	Kawasaki ZX-9R
First-time pass rate	85.9%	80.7%
Outright fail rate	6.8%	12.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.9 pts	-2.3 pts
Engine size	865cc	899cc
Rank among all models	#2232 of 5428	#3439 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,290	22,320
MOT tests analysed	5,742	88,973
Most common failure	brakes	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	Triumph Speed Master 865	Kawasaki ZX-9R
Lights & signalling	3.0%	4.8%
Brakes	2.5%	4.6%
Steering & suspension	0.7%	4.0%
Tyres & wheels	1.2%	2.9%
Structure & body	0.8%	1.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.7%	0.7%
Drive system	0.3%	0.7%

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	Triumph Speed Master 865	Kawasaki ZX-9R
2018	87.8%	80.9%
2019	84.2%	80.4%
2020	87.2%	80.6%
2021	87.5%	81.2%
2022	85.9%	82.9%
2023	87.7%	82.1%
2024	84.0%	81.7%
2025	88.3%	82.0%

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	Triumph Speed Master 865	Kawasaki ZX-9R
0k-10k miles	88.3%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	83.9%	83.6%
20k-30k miles	81.1%	79.4%
30k-40k miles	83.5%	77.1%
40k-50k miles	79.2%	74.5%

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

Triumph Speed Master 865 vs Kawasaki ZX-9R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph Speed Master 865 or the Kawasaki ZX-9R?

The Triumph Speed Master 865 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-9R: 85.9% vs 80.7%, a 5.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Speed Master 865 still comes out ahead: -0.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Speed Master 865, -2.3 for the Kawasaki ZX-9R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph Speed Master 865 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.0% of Triumph Speed Master 865 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.5%).

What does the Kawasaki ZX-9R fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.8% of Kawasaki ZX-9R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.6%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Triumph Speed Master 865 or the Kawasaki ZX-9R?

At 40k-50k miles the Triumph Speed Master 865 passes first time more often: 79.2% for the Triumph Speed Master 865 vs 74.5% for the Kawasaki ZX-9R.

TRIUMPH SPEED MASTER 865 85.9% pass · 5,742 tests KAWASAKI ZX-9R 80.7% pass · 89.0k tests

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