BIMOTA SB6

1074cc Petrol Class 2

#2196 of 5426 overall #1 of 3 BIMOTAs #1359 of 2787 other bikes

86.0%

first-time pass rate

9.8%

failed outright

9,129

median miles at test

758

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2016

The SB6's first-time pass rate has risen 3.2 points since 2006, 88.0% to 91.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SB6's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage SB6 passes first time 89.3% of the time; by 20k that's 84.2%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a SB6

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	62	40.5	1.4×
steering and suspension	25	16.3	0.8×
brakes	23	15	0.5×
tyres and wheels	11	7.2	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	8	5.2	0.6×
suspension	8	5.2	1.1×
reg plates and vin	6	3.9	0.7×
drive system	5	3.3	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	3	2	0.5×
structure and attachments	2	1.3	0.4×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the SB6 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the SB6.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1995 (91.2% pass). Weakest: 1996 (75.4%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

BIMOTA SB6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BIMOTA SB6 reliable?

The BIMOTA SB6 is about average for its class: 86.0% of its 758 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2196 of 5426 models.

What does a SB6 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 41% of all defects recorded against failed SB6 tests.

What is the best year of SB6 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1995-registered examples do best (91.2%) and 1996 worst (75.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SB6 last?

The median SB6 shows 9,129 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 84.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.