Bimota SB6 vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Bimota SB6: 88.5% vs 86.0%, a 2.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Bimota SB6	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	86.0%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	9.8%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.6 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,074cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#2197 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,129	33,151
MOT tests analysed	758	170,963
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

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	Bimota SB6	BMW R1150
Lights & signalling	6.3%	2.4%
Brakes	2.2%	2.9%
Steering & suspension	3.0%	1.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.3%	1.7%
Drive system	0.7%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	0.1%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.2%

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	Bimota SB6	BMW R1150
2009	89.5%	87.4%
2010	84.2%	88.3%
2011	82.6%	87.3%
2012	85.7%	87.6%
2013	93.6%	87.1%
2014	86.5%	87.5%
2015	92.3%	88.0%
2016	91.2%	87.6%

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	Bimota SB6	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	89.3%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	80.1%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	84.2%	90.1%

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

Bimota SB6 vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bimota SB6 or the BMW R1150?

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Bimota SB6: 88.5% vs 86.0%, a 2.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +0.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Bimota SB6, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bimota SB6 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.3% of Bimota SB6 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.0%).

What does the BMW R1150 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.9% of BMW R1150 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Bimota SB6 or the BMW R1150?

At 20k-30k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 84.2% for the Bimota SB6 vs 90.1% for the BMW R1150.

BIMOTA SB6 86.0% pass · 758 tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests

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