BUELL XB12X ULYSSES

1203cc Petrol Class 2

#1604 of 5426 overall #3 of 23 BUELLs #976 of 2787 other bikes

88.0%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

14,170

median miles at test

1,755

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The XB12X ULYSSES's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.5 points since 2009, 90.8% to 87.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XB12X ULYSSES's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XB12X ULYSSES passes first time 88.1% of the time; by 40k that's 91.7%.

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 XB12X ULYSSES

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	44	21.9	0.4×
brakes	36	17.9	0.4×
steering and suspension	35	17.4	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	30	14.9	0.7×
suspension	17	8.5	1.1×
tyres and wheels	15	7.5	0.4×
reg plates and vin	11	5.5	0.8×
tyres	5	2.5	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	5	2.5	0.3×
steering	3	1.5	0.3×

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 XB12X ULYSSES 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 XB12X ULYSSES.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (94.3% pass). Weakest: 2006 (86.2%).

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 XB12X ULYSSES FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL XB12X ULYSSES reliable?

The BUELL XB12X ULYSSES is more reliable than average for its class: 88.0% of its 1,755 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1604 of 5426 models.

What does a XB12X ULYSSES fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 22% of all defects recorded against failed XB12X ULYSSES tests.

What is the best year of XB12X ULYSSES to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (94.3%) and 2006 worst (86.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XB12X ULYSSES last?

The median XB12X ULYSSES shows 14,170 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 91.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.