BUELL S1 LIGHTNING
Pass rate over time
The S1 LIGHTNING's first-time pass rate has risen 6.4 points since 2006, 81.5% to 87.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage S1 LIGHTNING passes first time 85.9% of the time; by 20k that's 81.3%.
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 S1 LIGHTNING
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
41 | 36 | 1.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
24 | 21.1 | 1.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
11 | 9.6 | 2.1× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
8 | 7 | 0.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
6 | 5.3 | 0.6× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
6 | 5.3 | 1.9× |
| steering |
|
6 | 5.3 | 1.3× |
| brakes |
|
5 | 4.4 | 0.2× |
| body and structure |
|
4 | 3.5 | 1.5× |
| tyres |
|
3 | 2.6 | 0.8× |
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
On first-time pass rate the S1 LIGHTNING beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
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 S1 LIGHTNING.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2001 (86.5% pass). Weakest: 1999 (80.9%).
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 S1 LIGHTNING FAQ
Is the BUELL S1 LIGHTNING reliable?
The BUELL S1 LIGHTNING is about average for its class: 84.1% of its 560 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2720 of 5426 models.
What does a S1 LIGHTNING fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed S1 LIGHTNING tests.
What is the best year of S1 LIGHTNING to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2001-registered examples do best (86.5%) and 1999 worst (80.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a S1 LIGHTNING last?
The median S1 LIGHTNING shows 11,469 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 81.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.