BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Aprilia RSV 1000 R/vs Honda CBR900RR
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Aprilia RSV 1000 R vs Honda CBR900RR

The Aprilia RSV 1000 R passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 83.7% vs 83.2%, a 0.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Aprilia RSV 1000 R Honda CBR900RR
First-time pass rate 83.7% 83.2%
Outright fail rate 8.4% 9.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -1.8 pts +0.1 pts
Engine size 998cc 918cc
Rank among all models #2819 of 5428 #2911 of 5428
Median miles at test 12,642 22,163
MOT tests analysed 865 165,881
Most common failure brakes lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Aprilia RSV 1000 R Honda CBR900RR
Lights & signalling 2.9% 3.9%
Brakes 3.4% 2.9%
Steering & suspension 2.3% 3.6%
Tyres & wheels 1.0% 2.3%
Drive system 0.9% 0.5%
Fuel & exhaust 0.3% 0.6%
Structure & body 0.2% 0.7%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Aprilia RSV 1000 R Honda CBR900RR
2010 84.6% 80.7%
2011 84.1% 80.8%
2012 89.6% 80.9%
2013 73.4% 81.2%
2014 78.9% 82.0%
2015 77.6% 83.0%
2016 82.8% 83.4%
2017 86.2% 84.4%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Aprilia RSV 1000 R Honda CBR900RR
0k-10k miles 91.4% 88.6%
10k-20k miles 83.0% 85.5%
20k-30k miles 75.6% 81.9%
30k-40k miles 77.2% 80.6%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Aprilia RSV 1000 R vs Honda CBR900RR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia RSV 1000 R or the Honda CBR900RR?

The Aprilia RSV 1000 R passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 83.7% vs 83.2%, a 0.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR900RR still comes out ahead: -1.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia RSV 1000 R, +0.1 for the Honda CBR900RR. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia RSV 1000 R fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.4% of Aprilia RSV 1000 R MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.9%).

What does the Honda CBR900RR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.9% of Honda CBR900RR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.6%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia RSV 1000 R or the Honda CBR900RR?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda CBR900RR passes first time more often: 77.2% for the Aprilia RSV 1000 R vs 80.6% for the Honda CBR900RR.

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.