Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline: 73.3% vs 53.7%, a 19.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	53.7%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	34.2%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-18.4 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5354 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,462	10,974
MOT tests analysed	2,614	84,425
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	22.0%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	18.6%	6.2%
Brakes	14.3%	6.8%
Structure & body	8.0%	4.1%
Drive system	8.3%	2.0%
Tyres & wheels	6.7%	3.5%
Fuel & exhaust	1.8%	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	Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline	Honda CBF125
2018	57.7%	72.3%
2019	53.9%	70.4%
2020	61.1%	72.1%
2021	63.8%	72.6%
2022	47.4%	72.5%
2023	46.4%	74.4%
2024	56.8%	77.0%
2025	46.7%	79.0%

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	Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	56.2%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	50.6%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	52.8%	65.5%
30k-40k miles	53.1%	63.9%

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

Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline: 73.3% vs 53.7%, a 19.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -18.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 22.0% of Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (18.6%).

What does the Honda CBF125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.0% of Honda CBF125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline or the Honda CBF125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda CBF125 passes first time more often: 53.1% for the Pulse XF 125 GY-2B Adrenaline vs 63.9% for the Honda CBF125.

PULSE XF 125 GY-2B ADRENALINE 53.7% pass · 2,614 tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests

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