BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 vs Honda CB1300

The KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB1300: 92.3% vs 89.3%, a 3.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 Honda CB1300
First-time pass rate 92.3% 89.3%
Outright fail rate 5.0% 5.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +5.4 pts +4.5 pts
Engine size 1,301cc 1,284cc
Rank among all models #415 of 5428 #1180 of 5428
Median miles at test 12,209 15,887
MOT tests analysed 2,317 25,878
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 Superduke GT 17 Honda CB1300
Lights & signalling 2.2% 1.6%
Tyres & wheels 1.3% 1.5%
Brakes 1.2% 1.4%
Steering & suspension 0.5% 1.5%
Structure & body 0.3% 0.2%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 0.2%
Drive system 0% 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 KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 Honda CB1300
2020 95.4% 89.5%
2021 91.2% 88.7%
2022 91.9% 89.5%
2023 92.9% 89.2%
2024 91.0% 90.4%
2025 91.7% 90.4%

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 Superduke GT 17 Honda CB1300
0k-10k miles 91.3% 91.9%
10k-20k miles 93.1% 90.2%
20k-30k miles 91.4% 87.8%
30k-40k miles 92.1% 84.9%

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

KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 vs Honda CB1300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 or the Honda CB1300?

The KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB1300: 92.3% vs 89.3%, a 3.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+5.4 vs +4.5 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.2% of KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.3%).

What does the Honda CB1300 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.6% of Honda CB1300 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 or the Honda CB1300?

At 30k-40k miles the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 passes first time more often: 92.1% for the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 17 vs 84.9% for the Honda CB1300.

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