KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin

The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18: 95.3% vs 92.9%, a 2.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18	Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
First-time pass rate	92.9%	95.3%
Outright fail rate	3.0%	2.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.0 pts	+8.2 pts
Engine size	1,301cc	998cc
Rank among all models	#315 of 5428	#54 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,084	10,908
MOT tests analysed	1,527	21,673
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18	Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
Brakes	1.0%	1.0%
Steering & suspension	0.8%	0.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.7%	0.7%
Lights & signalling	0.9%	0.2%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.4%

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	KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18	Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2021	93.1%	95.5%
2022	91.3%	95.6%
2023	94.4%	95.5%
2024	92.3%	94.6%
2025	93.2%	94.5%

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	KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18	Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
0k-10k miles	93.0%	97.0%
10k-20k miles	93.2%	94.8%
20k-30k miles	92.2%	92.4%
30k-40k miles	88.5%	89.6%

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

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 or the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin?

The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18: 95.3% vs 92.9%, a 2.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin still comes out ahead: +6.0 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18, +8.2 for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.0% of KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (0.9%).

What does the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.0% of Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 or the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin passes first time more often: 88.5% for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 vs 89.6% for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin.

KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 18 92.9% pass · 1,527 tests HONDA CRF1000L Africa Twin 95.3% pass · 21.7k tests

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