BUELL M2 CYCLONE

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#1962 of 5426 overall #5 of 23 BUELLs #1190 of 2787 other bikes

86.8%

first-time pass rate

5.9%

failed outright

12,472

median miles at test

529

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2010

The M2 CYCLONE's first-time pass rate has risen 5.3 points since 2006, 84.7% to 90.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the M2 CYCLONE's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage M2 CYCLONE passes first time 91.2% of the time; by 20k that's 84.4%.

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 M2 CYCLONE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	12	20.7	0.4×
steering and suspension	12	20.7	0.6×
brakes	12	20.7	0.5×
tyres and wheels	11	19	0.8×
suspension	3	5.2	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	3	5.2	0.2×
audible warning (Horn)	2	3.4	2.1×
structure and attachments	1	1.7	0.3×
tyres	1	1.7	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	1	1.7	0.2×

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 M2 CYCLONE 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 M2 CYCLONE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1997 (89.1% pass). Weakest: 2000 (79.0%).

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 M2 CYCLONE FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL M2 CYCLONE reliable?

The BUELL M2 CYCLONE is about average for its class: 86.8% of its 529 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1962 of 5426 models.

What does a M2 CYCLONE fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 21% of all defects recorded against failed M2 CYCLONE tests.

What is the best year of M2 CYCLONE to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (89.1%) and 2000 worst (79.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a M2 CYCLONE last?

The median M2 CYCLONE shows 12,472 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 84.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.