Buell S1 Lightning vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell S1 Lightning: 92.9% vs 84.1%, a 8.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell S1 Lightning	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	84.1%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	8.6%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.9 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	1,200cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#2721 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,469	20,069
MOT tests analysed	560	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	Buell S1 Lightning	BMW R1200
Lights & signalling	5.5%	0.9%
Steering & suspension	3.8%	0.7%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	1.0%
Brakes	0.9%	1.5%
Fuel & exhaust	1.6%	0.0%
Structure & body	0.9%	0.1%
Drive system	0.4%	0%

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	Buell S1 Lightning	BMW R1200
2006	81.5%	90.3%
2007	84.1%	92.2%
2008	100.0%	90.8%
2009	81.1%	90.0%
2011	73.0%	90.5%
2012	87.9%	90.5%

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	Buell S1 Lightning	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	85.9%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	83.4%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	81.3%	92.8%

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

Buell S1 Lightning vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Buell S1 Lightning or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell S1 Lightning: 92.9% vs 84.1%, a 8.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: -1.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Buell S1 Lightning, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Buell S1 Lightning fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.5% of Buell S1 Lightning MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.8%).

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 Buell S1 Lightning or the BMW R1200?

At 20k-30k miles the BMW R1200 passes first time more often: 81.3% for the Buell S1 Lightning vs 92.8% for the BMW R1200.

BUELL S1 LIGHTNING 84.1% pass · 560 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.