HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTNI

1449cc Petrol Class 2

#1269 of 5426 overall #204 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #246 of 465 cruiser bikes

89.0%

first-time pass rate

5.1%

failed outright

12,804

median miles at test

2,193

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The FLSTNI's first-time pass rate has risen 1.4 points since 2008, 90.6% to 92.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FLSTNI passes first time 88.5% of the time; by 50k that's 91.3%.

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 FLSTNI

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
reg plates and vin	33	20	1.6×
lighting and signalling	31	18.8	0.3×
brakes	26	15.8	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	19	11.5	1.1×
lamps and reflectors	16	9.7	0.4×
Identification of the vehicle	12	7.3	2.4×
tyres and wheels	9	5.5	0.2×
tyres	9	5.5	0.6×
steering and suspension	5	3	0.1×
structure and attachments	5	3	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 FLSTNI beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C).

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF 88.9% pass · 30.1k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC 89.4% pass · 23.7k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C 88.4% pass · 15.7k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG 88.7% pass · 14.6k 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 FLSTNI.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (94.1% pass). Weakest: 2006 (86.1%).

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.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTNI FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTNI reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTNI is more reliable than average for its class: 89.0% of its 2,193 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1269 of 5426 models.

What does a FLSTNI fail its MOT on most?

reg plates and vin — 20% of all defects recorded against failed FLSTNI tests.

What is the best year of FLSTNI to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (94.1%) and 2006 worst (86.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FLSTNI last?

The median FLSTNI shows 12,804 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 91.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.