BUELL XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG

1203cc Petrol Class 2

#2331 of 5426 overall #14 of 23 BUELLs #1460 of 2787 other bikes

85.6%

first-time pass rate

7.2%

failed outright

7,905

median miles at test

792

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2009–2025

The XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG's first-time pass rate has risen 5.8 points since 2009, 87.5% to 93.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG passes first time 86.1% of the time; by 20k that's 88.0%.

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 XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	16	20	0.5×
tyres and wheels	11	13.8	0.7×
steering and suspension	11	13.8	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	10	12.5	0.6×
brakes	10	12.5	0.3×
reg plates and vin	7	8.8	1.5×
body and structure	7	8.8	1.1×
tyres	3	3.8	0.6×
Identification of the vehicle	3	3.8	1.6×
structure and attachments	2	2.5	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 XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG 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 XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (89.9% pass). Weakest: 2008 (81.8%).

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 XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG reliable?

The BUELL XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG is about average for its class: 85.6% of its 792 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2331 of 5426 models.

What does a XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 20% of all defects recorded against failed XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG tests.

What is the best year of XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 2008 worst (81.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG last?

The median XB12SS LIGHTNING LONG shows 7,905 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 88.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.