Honda CB600SF vs Triumph Street Triple R

The Triumph Street Triple R passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB600SF: 87.7% vs 82.0%, a 5.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CB600SF	Triumph Street Triple R
First-time pass rate	82.0%	87.7%
Outright fail rate	10.4%	6.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.8 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	599cc	675cc
Rank among all models	#3181 of 5428	#1695 of 5428
Median miles at test	16,370	10,588
MOT tests analysed	11,688	20,614
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	lamps and reflectors

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	Honda CB600SF	Triumph Street Triple R
Lights & signalling	4.5%	2.7%
Brakes	3.6%	1.6%
Steering & suspension	3.2%	1.0%
Tyres & wheels	2.7%	1.2%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.8%
Drive system	1.1%	0.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	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	Honda CB600SF	Triumph Street Triple R
2013	83.5%	86.7%
2014	82.7%	87.0%
2015	82.7%	88.1%
2016	83.5%	89.0%
2017	81.7%	88.2%
2018	81.7%	87.9%
2019	82.6%	87.9%
2020	82.6%	87.5%

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	Honda CB600SF	Triumph Street Triple R
0k-10k miles	90.2%	91.0%
10k-20k miles	83.6%	86.5%
20k-30k miles	77.6%	82.0%
30k-40k miles	72.5%	78.2%
40k-50k miles	70.7%	77.9%
50k-60k miles	69.7%	85.1%

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

Honda CB600SF vs Triumph Street Triple R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CB600SF or the Triumph Street Triple R?

The Triumph Street Triple R passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB600SF: 87.7% vs 82.0%, a 5.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Street Triple R still comes out ahead: -2.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CB600SF, +1.1 for the Triumph Street Triple R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CB600SF fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Honda CB600SF MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.6%).

What does the Triumph Street Triple R fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.7% of Triumph Street Triple R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.6%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CB600SF or the Triumph Street Triple R?

At 50k-60k miles the Triumph Street Triple R passes first time more often: 69.7% for the Honda CB600SF vs 85.1% for the Triumph Street Triple R.

HONDA CB600SF 82.0% pass · 11.7k tests TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE R 87.7% pass · 20.6k tests

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