HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200R

1202cc Petrol Class 2

#1369 of 5426 overall #221 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #268 of 465 cruiser bikes

88.7%

first-time pass rate

5.6%

failed outright

9,408

median miles at test

3,562

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The XL1200R's first-time pass rate has risen 6.3 points since 2007, 86.6% to 92.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XL1200R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XL1200R passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 30k that's 86.0%.

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 XL1200R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	113	31.4	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	56	15.6	0.7×
brakes	50	13.9	0.2×
reg plates and vin	30	8.3	1.1×
fuel and exhaust	28	7.8	1.0×
tyres and wheels	26	7.2	0.4×
steering and suspension	24	6.7	0.2×
structure and attachments	16	4.4	0.6×
tyres	11	3.1	0.5×
steering	6	1.7	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 XL1200R beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883).

TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE 89.0% pass · 195k tests TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD 87.8% pass · 56.3k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883 87.4% pass · 41.2k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF 88.9% pass · 30.1k 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 XL1200R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (92.6% pass). Weakest: 2005 (86.6%).

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 XL1200R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200R reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200R is more reliable than average for its class: 88.7% of its 3,562 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1369 of 5426 models.

What does a XL1200R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed XL1200R tests.

What is the best year of XL1200R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (92.6%) and 2005 worst (86.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XL1200R last?

The median XL1200R shows 9,408 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 86.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.