2019 Honda CBR 650 RA-K 0.6L Petrol · GF19 LSV

A pattern of tyre, braking, and steering irregularities surfaces across the MOT history of this 2019 Honda CBR650 RA-K, culminating in a failed test in April 2025 which included a dangerous rear tyre tread depth defect and a major steering headbearing wear item, before a clean pass was recorded on 9 April 2026. While the most recent outcome is favourable with no defects noted, the underlying history is mixed: wheel alignment has been flagged as slightly misaligned on two separate occasions (2023 and 2025), and rear brake disc wear advisories appeared at both the 2025 failure and the subsequent pass, suggesting a recurring issue at the rear wheel. The 2025 failure also raised a brake effort fluctuation advisory, which alongside the steering headbearing defect points to components that warrant close inspection rather than assumptions of full rectification. With 34,746 miles recorded over roughly seven years, annual mileage is around 4,964 miles, which is notably low for a motorcycle and indicative of either limited riding use or extended periods of standing. Such low usage can bring its own mechanical considerations, particularly around brake disc corrosion from infrequent operation, tyre rubber hardening from prolonged static storage, and potential fluid degradation, while still leaving high-stress components like steering headbearings exposed to wear from load cycling even at modest mileages. No multi-year gaps in testing are evident, with annual MOTs consistently recorded since 2022, confirming the vehicle has remained in active use and on the road throughout the recorded period. Given the headbearing replacement risk, particular attention should be paid during a test ride to any notchiness, clunking, or irregular resistance as the steering sweeps from lock to lock, especially over centre, and to confirm there is no stiction or binding when the bike is cold. The rear brake system also requires deliberate scrutiny: with the disc having been recorded as pitted and scored, a close visual check for lipping, grooving, or surface rust beyond light oxidation is advisable, and brake lever feel should be assessed for any pulsation through the pedal or lever that could indicate disc runout or warped friction surfaces. The recurring wheel alignment advisories warrant checking for uneven tyre wear patterns across the carcass and confirming the steering is centred and tracking straight without drift. Tyre condition remains a primary focus, as the 2025 test recorded a dangerous tread depth failure on the rear and both front and rear tyres were noted as close to the legal limit in 2022, indicating a history of tyres being run to the minimum. Inspection should include a tread depth measurement across the full width of each tyre, a check for cracking or hardening of the sidewalls consistent with age, and verification of manufacturing date stamps. Additionally, given that headlamp aim was recorded as too low at the April 2025 failure, a functional check of both dipped and main beam alignment against a wall or garage door is prudent, alongside confirming the registration plate conforms to current character formatting requirements. Any evidence of unresolved steering geometry, persistent brake disc deterioration, or fresh tyre wear could materially affect both the safety and the near-term compliance cost of the motorcycle.