BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8/vs Honda CBR1100XX
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 vs Honda CBR1100XX

The Honda CBR1100XX passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8: 87.1% vs 85.8%, a 1.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 Honda CBR1100XX
First-time pass rate 85.8% 87.1%
Outright fail rate 5.9% 8.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -0.2 pts +4.8 pts
Engine size 998cc 1,137cc
Rank among all models #2266 of 5428 #1884 of 5428
Median miles at test 12,250 27,599
MOT tests analysed 5,364 105,141
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 Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 Honda CBR1100XX
Lights & signalling 3.2% 2.4%
Brakes 1.5% 3.1%
Tyres & wheels 1.5% 2.3%
Steering & suspension 1.2% 2.4%
Drive system 0.2% 0.4%
Structure & body 0.3% 0.3%
Fuel & exhaust 0.3% 0.2%

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 Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 Honda CBR1100XX
2018 89.3% 86.7%
2019 83.4% 87.0%
2020 88.8% 85.9%
2021 86.0% 87.6%
2022 87.1% 87.5%
2023 85.3% 87.4%
2024 90.2% 87.1%
2025 89.5% 88.1%

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 Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 Honda CBR1100XX
0k-10k miles 85.9% 92.9%
10k-20k miles 86.8% 90.2%
20k-30k miles 84.4% 87.9%
30k-40k miles 83.9% 85.9%
40k-50k miles 76.3% 84.0%

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

Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 vs Honda CBR1100XX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 or the Honda CBR1100XX?

The Honda CBR1100XX passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8: 87.1% vs 85.8%, a 1.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR1100XX still comes out ahead: -0.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8, +4.8 for the Honda CBR1100XX. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.5%).

What does the Honda CBR1100XX fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.1% of Honda CBR1100XX MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 or the Honda CBR1100XX?

At 40k-50k miles the Honda CBR1100XX passes first time more often: 76.3% for the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 K8 vs 84.0% for the Honda CBR1100XX.

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