KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 vs Honda CB1300

The KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB1300: 90.1% vs 89.3%, a 0.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 1290 Superduke R 18	Honda CB1300
First-time pass rate	90.1%	89.3%
Outright fail rate	3.7%	5.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.0 pts	+4.5 pts
Engine size	1,301cc	1,284cc
Rank among all models	#921 of 5428	#1180 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,976	15,887
MOT tests analysed	1,636	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 R 18	Honda CB1300
Lights & signalling	1.6%	1.6%
Brakes	1.1%	1.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	1.5%
Steering & suspension	0.2%	1.5%
Structure & body	0.6%	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 R 18	Honda CB1300
2021	89.7%	88.7%
2022	89.3%	89.5%
2023	89.8%	89.2%
2024	92.4%	90.4%
2025	90.0%	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 R 18	Honda CB1300
0k-10k miles	91.3%	91.9%
10k-20k miles	88.0%	90.2%
20k-30k miles	88.3%	87.8%

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

KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 vs Honda CB1300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 or the Honda CB1300?

The KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB1300: 90.1% vs 89.3%, a 0.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CB1300 still comes out ahead: +2.0 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18, +4.5 for the Honda CB1300. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.6% of KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.1%).

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 R 18 or the Honda CB1300?

They are level: at 20k-30k miles the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 passes 88.3% first time and the Honda CB1300 87.8%.

KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 90.1% pass · 1,636 tests HONDA CB1300 89.3% pass · 25.9k tests

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