BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Husaberg FE450E/vs Suzuki GS500
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Husaberg FE450E vs Suzuki GS500

The Husaberg FE450E passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 76.5% vs 76.4%, a 0.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Husaberg FE450E Suzuki GS500
First-time pass rate 76.5% 76.4%
Outright fail rate 12.3% 15.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -11.7 pts -7.1 pts
Engine size 449cc 487cc
Rank among all models #4125 of 5428 #4137 of 5428
Median miles at test 3,115 21,676
MOT tests analysed 659 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 FE450E Suzuki GS500
Lights & signalling 6.7% 5.5%
Steering & suspension 4.9% 6.6%
Brakes 2.4% 6.3%
Tyres & wheels 4.1% 3.4%
Drive system 0.5% 2.0%
Structure & body 1.1% 1.1%
Fuel & exhaust 0.5% 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 FE450E Suzuki GS500
2012 75.6% 75.6%
2013 78.2% 74.6%
2014 75.8% 74.8%
2015 82.7% 75.5%
2016 77.1% 75.8%
2017 79.5% 76.6%
2018 76.7% 75.8%
2022 83.9% 80.6%

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

Husaberg FE450E vs Suzuki GS500 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Husaberg FE450E or the Suzuki GS500?

The Husaberg FE450E passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GS500: 76.5% vs 76.4%, a 0.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki GS500 still comes out ahead: -11.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Husaberg FE450E, -7.1 for the Suzuki GS500. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Husaberg FE450E fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.7% of Husaberg FE450E MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.9%).

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.