BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ BUELL/1125 CR
Model report · 2005–2025

BUELL 1125 CR

1125cc Petrol Class 2
#2767 of 5428 overall #19 of 23 BUELLs #1748 of 2788 other bikes
83.9%
first-time pass rate
7.5%
failed outright
8,351
median miles at test
385
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-3.5pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2012–2017

The 1125 CR's first-time pass rate has risen 18.2 points since 2012, 72.7% to 90.9%.

68%82%95%2012: 72.7% pass (33 tests)2013: 86.4% pass (44 tests)2014: 85.7% pass (42 tests)2015: 86.8% pass (38 tests)2016: 83.8% pass (37 tests)2017: 90.9% pass (33 tests)20122017

What fails on a 1125 CR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lighting and signalling
15 28.3
brakes
11 20.8
steering and suspension
8 15.1
lamps and reflectors
7 13.2
tyres and wheels
4 7.5
suspension
3 5.7
steering
2 3.8
Identification of the vehicle
1 1.9
tyres
1 1.9
body and structure
1 1.9

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 1125 CR beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

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

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 1125 CR.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the 1125 CR

More BUELL models

other BUELL bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
BUELL XB12S 86.2% pass · 5,087 tests
BUELL S1 86.1% pass · 3,738 tests
BUELL M2 86.5% pass · 3,474 tests
BUELL XB12R 85.6% pass · 3,048 tests
BUELL XB9R 83.7% pass · 2,610 tests
BUELL X1 86.7% pass · 2,424 tests

See all BUELL models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (85.1% pass). Weakest: 2010 (80.2%).

79%83%86%2009: 85.1% pass (235 tests)2010: 80.2% pass (101 tests)20092010

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.

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