HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXLR

1340cc Petrol Class 2

#1722 of 5426 overall #291 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #344 of 465 cruiser bikes

87.6%

first-time pass rate

5.6%

failed outright

16,220

median miles at test

647

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2022

The FXLR's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.2 points since 2006, 86.8% to 80.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FXLR passes first time 88.5% of the time; by 40k that's 85.4%.

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 FXLR

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	31	37.8	0.7×
brakes	23	28	0.6×
steering and suspension	10	12.2	0.3×
reg plates and vin	6	7.3	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	3	3.7	0.3×
tyres and wheels	3	3.7	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	2	2.4	0.4×
driving controls	2	2.4	1.3×
wheels	1	1.2	2.6×
tyres	1	1.2	0.2×

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 FXLR beats 0 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 FXLR.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1994 (92.2% pass). Weakest: 1993 (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.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXLR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXLR reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXLR is more reliable than average for its class: 87.6% of its 647 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1722 of 5426 models.

What does a FXLR fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 38% of all defects recorded against failed FXLR tests.

What is the best year of FXLR to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1994-registered examples do best (92.2%) and 1993 worst (83.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FXLR last?

The median FXLR shows 16,220 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 85.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.