Honda CB900F vs Triumph Trident

The Triumph Trident passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB900F: 85.0% vs 83.4%, a 1.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CB900F	Triumph Trident
First-time pass rate	83.4%	85.0%
Outright fail rate	8.1%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.6 pts	+1.0 pts
Engine size	919cc	885cc
Rank among all models	#2868 of 5428	#2491 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,561	23,417
MOT tests analysed	15,961	23,936
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	Honda CB900F	Triumph Trident
Lights & signalling	3.3%	3.3%
Brakes	2.4%	3.9%
Steering & suspension	2.6%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	2.1%	1.8%
Drive system	0.8%	0.5%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	0.3%

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 CB900F	Triumph Trident
2013	82.7%	83.1%
2014	81.4%	84.6%
2015	83.4%	86.2%
2016	81.8%	85.7%
2017	81.2%	87.5%
2018	83.5%	85.4%
2019	82.9%	86.5%
2020	85.9%	87.3%

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 CB900F	Triumph Trident
0k-10k miles	89.2%	89.7%
10k-20k miles	83.8%	86.6%
20k-30k miles	79.6%	83.6%
30k-40k miles	76.9%	82.4%
40k-50k miles	80.9%	82.6%
50k-60k miles	75.3%	80.6%

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

Honda CB900F vs Triumph Trident FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CB900F or the Triumph Trident?

The Triumph Trident passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB900F: 85.0% vs 83.4%, a 1.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Trident still comes out ahead: -1.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CB900F, +1.0 for the Triumph Trident. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CB900F fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.3% of Honda CB900F MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.6%).

What does the Triumph Trident fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.9% of Triumph Trident MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.3%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CB900F or the Triumph Trident?

At 50k-60k miles the Triumph Trident passes first time more often: 75.3% for the Honda CB900F vs 80.6% for the Triumph Trident.

HONDA CB900F 83.4% pass · 16.0k tests TRIUMPH TRIDENT 85.0% pass · 23.9k tests

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