BUELL 1125 R

1125cc Petrol Class 2

#2491 of 5426 overall #17 of 23 BUELLs #1561 of 2787 other bikes

85.0%

first-time pass rate

7.4%

failed outright

7,349

median miles at test

1,088

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2025

The 1125 R's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.0 points since 2011, 82.9% to 80.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 1125 R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 1125 R passes first time 86.7% of the time; by 20k that's 80.4%.

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 1125 R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	27	19.3	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	21	15	0.8×
steering and suspension	20	14.3	0.5×
brakes	17	12.1	0.4×
tyres and wheels	16	11.4	0.7×
suspension	12	8.6	1.0×
fuel and exhaust	9	6.4	1.1×
reg plates and vin	9	6.4	1.1×
structure and attachments	5	3.6	0.7×
tyres	4	2.9	0.5×

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 1125 R beats 1 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 1125 R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (87.2% pass). Weakest: 2008 (82.0%).

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.

BUELL 1125 R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL 1125 R reliable?

The BUELL 1125 R is about average for its class: 85.0% of its 1,088 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2491 of 5426 models.

What does a 1125 R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 19% of all defects recorded against failed 1125 R tests.

What is the best year of 1125 R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (87.2%) and 2008 worst (82.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 1125 R last?

The median 1125 R shows 7,349 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 80.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.