Buell M2 Cyclone vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell M2 Cyclone — 88.5% vs 86.8%, a 1.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell M2 Cyclone	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	86.8%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	5.9%	6.8%
Median miles at test	12,472	33,151
MOT tests analysed	529	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.

BUELL M2 CYCLONE 86.8% pass · 529 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.