HARLEY-DAVIDSON XR 1200

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#959 of 5426 overall #147 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #181 of 465 cruiser bikes

90.0%

first-time pass rate

5.0%

failed outright

7,991

median miles at test

3,008

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2025

The XR 1200's first-time pass rate has risen 15.5 points since 2011, 81.7% to 97.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XR 1200's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XR 1200 passes first time 90.0% of the time; by 30k that's 88.5%.

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 XR 1200

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
tyres and wheels	42	18.9	0.6×
lighting and signalling	39	17.6	0.3×
brakes	36	16.2	0.2×
lamps and reflectors	31	14	0.6×
reg plates and vin	19	8.6	0.7×
steering and suspension	18	8.1	0.2×
suspension	17	7.7	0.7×
tyres	12	5.4	0.6×
Identification of the vehicle	4	1.8	0.6×
structure and attachments	4	1.8	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 XR 1200 beats 4 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 XR 1200.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (90.7% pass). Weakest: 2011 (88.3%).

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 XR 1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XR 1200 reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON XR 1200 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.0% of its 3,008 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #959 of 5426 models.

What does a XR 1200 fail its MOT on most?

tyres and wheels — 19% of all defects recorded against failed XR 1200 tests.

What is the best year of XR 1200 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (90.7%) and 2011 worst (88.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XR 1200 last?

The median XR 1200 shows 7,991 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 88.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.