HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSB

1690cc Petrol Class 2

#1180 of 5426 overall #189 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #229 of 465 cruiser bikes

89.3%

first-time pass rate

4.4%

failed outright

6,609

median miles at test

6,915

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The FXSB's first-time pass rate has risen 5.5 points since 2017, 83.2% to 88.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FXSB passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 30k that's 84.8%.

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 FXSB

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	223	42.7	1.5×
Identification of the vehicle	71	13.6	4.4×
tyres	47	9	1.0×
brakes	46	8.8	0.1×
lighting and signalling	37	7.1	0.1×
reg plates and vin	32	6.1	0.5×
structure and attachments	31	5.9	0.6×
suspension	15	2.9	0.3×
steering and suspension	10	1.9	—
steering	10	1.9	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 FXSB 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 FXSB.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1984 (96.6% pass). Weakest: 1985 (84.1%).

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 FXSB FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSB reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSB is more reliable than average for its class: 89.3% of its 6,915 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1180 of 5426 models.

What does a FXSB fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 43% of all defects recorded against failed FXSB tests.

What is the best year of FXSB to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1984-registered examples do best (96.6%) and 1985 worst (84.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FXSB last?

The median FXSB shows 6,609 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 84.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.