HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD

1450cc Petrol Class 2

#1883 of 5426 overall #327 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #381 of 465 cruiser bikes

87.1%

first-time pass rate

5.3%

failed outright

14,186

median miles at test

512

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2014

The FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD's first-time pass rate has risen 2.7 points since 2008, 94.1% to 96.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD passes first time 89.0% of the time; by 30k that's 86.2%.

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 FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	12	24	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	9	18	0.7×
brakes	8	16	0.3×
tyres and wheels	7	14	0.7×
reg plates and vin	5	10	1.4×
Identification of the vehicle	3	6	2.5×
steering and suspension	2	4	0.1×
fuel and exhaust	2	4	0.5×
structure and attachments	1	2	0.3×
tyres	1	2	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 FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD 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 FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (90.0% pass). Weakest: 2005 (83.3%).

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 FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD is more reliable than average for its class: 87.1% of its 512 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1883 of 5426 models.

What does a FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD tests.

What is the best year of FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (90.0%) and 2005 worst (83.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD last?

The median FXSTI SOFTAIL STANDARD shows 14,186 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 86.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.