BUELL XB9S LIGHTNING

984cc Petrol Class 2

86.3%

first-time pass rate

7.1%

failed outright

9,385

median miles at test

197

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2008

The XB9S LIGHTNING's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.6 points since 2007, 93.3% to 86.7%.

What fails on a XB9S LIGHTNING

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	7	30.4
steering and suspension	3	13
structure and attachments	3	13
reg plates and vin	2	8.7
body and structure	2	8.7
brakes	2	8.7
tyres and wheels	1	4.3
fuel and exhaust	1	4.3
lamps and reflectors	1	4.3
Identification of the vehicle	1	4.3

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the XB9S LIGHTNING 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 XB9S LIGHTNING.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (84.8% pass). Weakest: 2003 (84.8%).

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.