Bimota SB6 vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Bimota SB6: 92.9% vs 86.0%, a 6.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Bimota SB6	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	86.0%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	9.8%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.6 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	1,074cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#2197 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,129	20,069
MOT tests analysed	758	299,381
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 R1200
Lights & signalling	6.3%	0.9%
Brakes	2.2%	1.5%
Steering & suspension	3.0%	0.7%
Tyres & wheels	1.3%	1.0%
Drive system	0.7%	0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	0.0%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.1%

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 R1200
2009	89.5%	90.0%
2010	84.2%	89.8%
2011	82.6%	90.5%
2012	85.7%	90.5%
2013	93.6%	91.1%
2014	86.5%	91.7%
2015	92.3%	92.4%
2016	91.2%	92.4%

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	Bimota SB6	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	89.3%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	80.1%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	84.2%	92.8%

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

Bimota SB6 vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bimota SB6 or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Bimota SB6: 92.9% vs 86.0%, a 6.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: +0.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Bimota SB6, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. 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 R1200 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.5% of BMW R1200 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Bimota SB6 or the BMW R1200?

At 20k-30k miles the BMW R1200 passes first time more often: 84.2% for the Bimota SB6 vs 92.8% for the BMW R1200.

BIMOTA SB6 86.0% pass · 758 tests BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests

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