Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215: 95.3% vs 90.4%, a 4.9-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 | Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 90.4% | 95.3% |
| Outright fail rate | 6.5% | 2.6% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +6.2 pts | +8.2 pts |
| Engine size | 1,215cc | 998cc |
| Rank among all models | #825 of 5428 | #54 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 21,482 | 10,908 |
| MOT tests analysed | 4,677 | 21,673 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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 | Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 | Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 3.0% | 1.0% |
| Steering & suspension | 2.7% | 0.9% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.3% | 0.7% |
| Lights & signalling | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| Structure & body | 0.3% | 0.4% |
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 | Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 | Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 89.5% | 94.2% |
| 2020 | 92.3% | 96.2% |
| 2021 | 91.3% | 95.5% |
| 2022 | 89.4% | 95.6% |
| 2023 | 89.8% | 95.5% |
| 2024 | 90.2% | 94.6% |
| 2025 | 87.7% | 94.5% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 | Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 93.9% | 97.0% |
| 10k-20k miles | 92.2% | 94.8% |
| 20k-30k miles | 90.5% | 92.4% |
| 30k-40k miles | 88.4% | 89.6% |
| 40k-50k miles | 83.6% | 88.6% |
| 50k-60k miles | 82.3% | 90.8% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 or the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin?
The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215: 95.3% vs 90.4%, a 4.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin still comes out ahead: +6.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215, +8.2 for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 3.0% of Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.7%).
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 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 or the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin passes first time more often: 82.3% for the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 vs 90.8% for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.