BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Husaberg Fe 450/vs Suzuki GS500
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Husaberg Fe 450 vs Suzuki GS500

The Husaberg Fe 450 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 77.8% vs 76.4%, a 1.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Husaberg Fe 450 Suzuki GS500
First-time pass rate 77.8% 76.4%
Outright fail rate 12.9% 15.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -10.2 pts -7.1 pts
Engine size 449cc 487cc
Rank among all models #3940 of 5428 #4137 of 5428
Median miles at test 2,695 21,676
MOT tests analysed 684 44,924
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 Husaberg Fe 450 Suzuki GS500
Lights & signalling 7.3% 5.5%
Steering & suspension 5.1% 6.6%
Brakes 1.6% 6.3%
Tyres & wheels 3.5% 3.4%
Drive system 0.7% 2.0%
Structure & body 0.3% 1.1%
Fuel & exhaust 0.1% 0.7%

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 Husaberg Fe 450 Suzuki GS500
2011 76.2% 74.9%
2012 70.2% 75.6%
2013 81.3% 74.6%
2014 86.5% 74.8%
2015 82.6% 75.5%
2016 75.0% 75.8%
2017 65.6% 76.6%
2019 82.9% 79.4%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Husaberg Fe 450 vs Suzuki GS500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Husaberg Fe 450 or the Suzuki GS500?

The Husaberg Fe 450 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 77.8% vs 76.4%, a 1.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki GS500 still comes out ahead: -10.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Husaberg Fe 450, -7.1 for the Suzuki GS500. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Husaberg Fe 450 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.3% of Husaberg Fe 450 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.1%).

What does the Suzuki GS500 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 6.6% of Suzuki GS500 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.3%).

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