BUELL XB9SX

984cc Petrol Class 2

#3028 of 5426 overall #23 of 23 BUELLs #1921 of 2787 other bikes

82.7%

first-time pass rate

9.6%

failed outright

9,098

median miles at test

1,911

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2025

The XB9SX's first-time pass rate has risen 4.5 points since 2008, 81.4% to 85.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XB9SX's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XB9SX passes first time 84.3% of the time; by 30k that's 76.7%.

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 XB9SX

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	123	36.5	1.1×
steering and suspension	47	13.9	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	38	11.3	0.9×
brakes	32	9.5	0.4×
tyres and wheels	30	8.9	0.7×
reg plates and vin	22	6.5	1.8×
structure and attachments	13	3.9	0.8×
body and structure	13	3.9	1.0×
suspension	12	3.6	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	7	2.1	0.5×

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 XB9SX 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 XB9SX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (88.9% pass). Weakest: 2006 (76.5%).

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 XB9SX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL XB9SX reliable?

The BUELL XB9SX is less reliable than average for its class: 82.7% of its 1,911 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3028 of 5426 models.

What does a XB9SX fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed XB9SX tests.

What is the best year of XB9SX to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (88.9%) and 2006 worst (76.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XB9SX last?

The median XB9SX shows 9,098 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 76.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.