BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Moto Guzzi Norge/vs Suzuki GSF1200
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Moto Guzzi Norge vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Moto Guzzi Norge passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 93.8% vs 82.4%, a 11.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Moto Guzzi Norge Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate 93.8% 82.4%
Outright fail rate 3.6% 8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +8.5 pts -1.2 pts
Engine size 1,151cc 1,157cc
Rank among all models #198 of 5428 #3108 of 5428
Median miles at test 16,417 20,274
MOT tests analysed 615 97,637
Most common failure brakes lighting and signalling

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 Moto Guzzi Norge Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling 1.0% 4.5%
Brakes 2.0% 2.8%
Steering & suspension 0.5% 2.2%
Tyres & wheels 0% 2.0%
Fuel & exhaust 0.2% 0.8%
Structure & body 0.2% 0.8%
Drive system 0% 0.6%

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 Moto Guzzi Norge Suzuki GSF1200
2018 100.0% 83.2%
2019 92.6% 82.9%
2020 96.1% 83.4%
2021 93.7% 82.9%
2022 94.8% 83.6%
2023 92.3% 83.8%
2024 95.6% 83.4%
2025 92.9% 84.1%

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 Moto Guzzi Norge Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles 95.1% 87.7%
10k-20k miles 95.0% 83.8%
20k-30k miles 91.3% 81.1%
30k-40k miles 92.2% 78.5%

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

Moto Guzzi Norge vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi Norge or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Moto Guzzi Norge passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 93.8% vs 82.4%, a 11.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Moto Guzzi Norge still comes out ahead: +8.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi Norge, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi Norge fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.0% of Moto Guzzi Norge MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.0%).

What does the Suzuki GSF1200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Suzuki GSF1200 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Moto Guzzi Norge or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 30k-40k miles the Moto Guzzi Norge passes first time more often: 92.2% for the Moto Guzzi Norge vs 78.5% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

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