BUELL XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X

984cc Petrol Class 2

#2172 of 5426 overall #12 of 23 BUELLs #1342 of 2787 other bikes

86.1%

first-time pass rate

6.5%

failed outright

10,016

median miles at test

933

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X's first-time pass rate has risen 6.0 points since 2008, 81.1% to 87.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X passes first time 86.0% of the time; by 30k that's 86.7%.

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 LIGHTNING CITY X

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	51	41.8	0.9×
brakes	22	18	0.4×
steering and suspension	18	14.8	0.5×
reg plates and vin	11	9	1.3×
tyres and wheels	9	7.4	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	5	4.1	0.3×
body and structure	3	2.5	0.7×
Performance	1	0.8	26.8×
driving controls	1	0.8	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	1	0.8	0.1×

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 LIGHTNING CITY X 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 XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (90.2% pass). Weakest: 2006 (83.0%).

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 LIGHTNING CITY X FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BUELL XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X reliable?

The BUELL XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X is about average for its class: 86.1% of its 933 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2172 of 5426 models.

What does a XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 42% of all defects recorded against failed XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X tests.

What is the best year of XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (90.2%) and 2006 worst (83.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X last?

The median XB9SX LIGHTNING CITY X shows 10,016 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 86.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.