2021 Kawasaki ZR 900 Kmfnb 0.9L Petrol · SO21 JXT

The defining mechanical story of this 2021 Kawasaki ZR 900 is a quiet but persistent concern with the exhaust system, alongside an otherwise clean advisory and failure history. Across three recorded DVSA tests, the motorcycle has passed on every occasion, with the most recent assessment on 3 September 2026 producing a pass alongside an advisory noting an exhaust noise issue under section 8.1.1 (a). This is not an isolated flag, as the identical advisory was also recorded at the previous test in July 2024, meaning the exhaust has been flagged for noise on two separate occasions spanning roughly two years. While the motorcycle has not failed any test, the recurrence of the same component condition is a meaningful pattern that warrants direct physical inspection and a careful listen during any test ride. The recorded mileage of 5,182 miles against a 2021 first registration date places this machine at an average of around 1,036 miles per year, which is exceptionally low for a motorcycle of its age. There is also a notable gap between the July 2024 test and the March 2026 test, a period of approximately twenty months with no recorded MOT activity, which suggests either extended periods of non-use or that the motorcycle was kept off the road during that interval. From a mechanical perspective, this combination of low annual mileage and possible lay-up periods tends to increase the risk of moisture accumulation inside the exhaust, oxidation of fasteners, dry or perished rubber components such as hangers and bushes, brake caliper binding from infrequent use, and potential flat spots or degradation in tyres that have not been regularly heat-cycled. Given the recurring exhaust noise advisory, a prospective buyer should carry out a cold-start and listen carefully for any blowing, hissing, or metallic rattling that suggests a failed gasket, a cracked header pipe joint, or a deteriorating silencer baffle. With the engine warm and at idle, checking the exhaust joint and clamp area with a gloved hand for escaping gas or staining around the header is worthwhile, as is physically rocking the silencer to confirm the mounting brackets and rubber hangers remain sound. The duplicate nature of the advisory on two tests spaced two years apart also raises the possibility that a previously worn component has been replaced with a pattern that could reappear, so confirming whether any work has been carried out on the exhaust and what was fitted is sensible. Beyond the exhaust, the low mileage profile makes a focused inspection of the brakes particularly important, as calipers and pads can corrode and bind when used infrequently. On a test ride, the buyer should listen for scraping or grinding from the front caliper area, check for firm lever feel without sponginess, and confirm the rear brake produces confident retardation without judder. The tyres should also be examined closely for cracking in the sidewalls, uneven wear patterns suggesting misalignment or prolonged standing, and adequate tread depth, given that motorcycle rubber can perish well before it wears out on low-use machines. Finally, with the observed testing gap in 2024 and 2025, it is prudent to confirm that the chain and sprockets, fork seals, and battery have been recently checked or serviced, as these are all items that degrade with time rather than mileage on a lightly used motorcycle of this kind.