Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 vs Honda CBR1100XX

The Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR1100XX: 89.3% vs 87.1%, a 2.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2	Honda CBR1100XX
First-time pass rate	89.3%	87.1%
Outright fail rate	4.9%	8.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.7 pts	+4.8 pts
Engine size	999cc	1,137cc
Rank among all models	#1180 of 5428	#1884 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,320	27,599
MOT tests analysed	969	105,141
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	Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2	Honda CBR1100XX
Lights & signalling	2.2%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.8%	2.3%
Brakes	0.8%	3.1%
Steering & suspension	0.7%	2.4%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.3%
Drive system	0%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	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 L2	Honda CBR1100XX
2018	90.3%	86.7%
2019	86.9%	87.0%
2020	90.5%	85.9%
2021	92.0%	87.6%
2022	91.6%	87.5%
2023	89.0%	87.4%
2024	89.8%	87.1%
2025	93.8%	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 L2	Honda CBR1100XX
0k-10k miles	90.3%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	89.8%	90.2%
20k-30k miles	86.0%	87.9%
30k-40k miles	88.9%	85.9%

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

Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 vs Honda CBR1100XX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 or the Honda CBR1100XX?

The Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR1100XX: 89.3% vs 87.1%, a 2.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBR1100XX still comes out ahead: +2.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2, +4.8 for the Honda CBR1100XX. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.2% of Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.8%).

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 L2 or the Honda CBR1100XX?

At 30k-40k miles the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 passes first time more often: 88.9% for the Suzuki Gsxr 1000 L2 vs 85.9% for the Honda CBR1100XX.

SUZUKI GSXR 1000 L2 89.3% pass · 969 tests HONDA CBR1100XX 87.1% pass · 105k tests

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