Buell Lightning vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell Lightning — 88.5% vs 80.2%, a 8.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell Lightning	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	80.2%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	8.3%	6.8%
Median miles at test	10,721	33,151
MOT tests analysed	121	170,963
Most common failure	brakes	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.

BUELL LIGHTNING 80.2% pass · 121 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.