Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
KTM 990 Adventure R vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 990 Adventure R: 95.3% vs 86.5%, a 8.8-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | KTM 990 Adventure R | Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 86.5% | 95.3% |
| Outright fail rate | 6.8% | 2.6% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +1.7 pts | +8.2 pts |
| Engine size | 1,000cc | 998cc |
| Rank among all models | #2052 of 5428 | #54 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 17,162 | 10,908 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,068 | 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
| Component | KTM 990 Adventure R | Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 3.7% | 0.2% |
| Brakes | 1.6% | 1.0% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.6% | 0.9% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.1% | 0.7% |
| Structure & body | 0.7% | 0.4% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.4% | 0% |
| Drive system | 0.1% | 0% |
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
| Test year | KTM 990 Adventure R | Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 81.7% | 94.2% |
| 2020 | 84.1% | 96.2% |
| 2021 | 92.1% | 95.5% |
| 2022 | 81.9% | 95.6% |
| 2023 | 85.2% | 95.5% |
| 2024 | 81.4% | 94.6% |
| 2025 | 84.7% | 94.5% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | KTM 990 Adventure R | Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 87.2% | 97.0% |
| 10k-20k miles | 88.3% | 94.8% |
| 20k-30k miles | 84.5% | 92.4% |
| 30k-40k miles | 84.1% | 89.6% |
| 40k-50k miles | 88.9% | 88.6% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
KTM 990 Adventure R vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin FAQ
Which is more reliable, the KTM 990 Adventure R or the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin?
The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 990 Adventure R: 95.3% vs 86.5%, a 8.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin still comes out ahead: +1.7 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 990 Adventure R, +8.2 for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the KTM 990 Adventure R fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.7% of KTM 990 Adventure R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.6%).
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 990 Adventure R or the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin?
They are level: at 40k-50k miles the KTM 990 Adventure R passes 88.9% first time and the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 88.6%.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.