3200 kms in Europe on Chinese 125s for Charity

[MikeSinnis]

Hi guys,

My name is Mike Garrod and I want to become more involved with forums and answer those wuestions people ask on forums, but dont actually ask the people who know directly.

Ive just completed this on a Sinnis 125 with my colleague Lukas. Hope you dont mind me posting just a link on here - but it would take weeks for me to copy it all over.

I work for Sinnis Motorcycles here in Brighton and I test the bikes as well as being an account manager here. I love my job, mainly because I do believe in what I sell - so I thought I would prove it by doing a stupid adventure on a 125! And a chinese 125 at that.
You may think Im biased? Fair enough, but let me tell you I have tested some crap and Im not afraid to tell you I simply wont sell it - so we dont buy it. Others do - thats up to them.

I would be happy for any feedback on my trip.

https://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1016460

3200 kms or 2000 miles on two Sinnis 125cc Machines through 7 countries. No breakdowns, the bikes cost £1500 for the Cafe and £1295 for the SP125 and the kit (which could have all been dumped bar the Lomo bag, Twisty ride Iphone holder, Chatterbox Bluetooth set and a decent coverall waterproof suit). Id say not bad at all
Didnt even swap the tyres out for stickier ones and the only maints was a spark plug and a couple of bulbs.
Raised a bit of money for charity too. How bad can it be?

I loved it all - even in the monsoon. I have loads of Go Pro video and Muvi Video that im now editing (we had four cameras)


I woke up the next day wanting to get back out there. Ok, maybe on a 250cc + machine, but thats only because of speed on the motorways. The 125s were perfectly capable on the A roads.

Great experience. And would gladly help anyone else in their quest to do the same
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Its all about enjoying every day that you have - or at least some point of it

[Matt B]

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[Ste]

It's not spam cos he's not asking for donations and he's already done the trip.

I'm impressed that you were prepared to put your money where your mouth is so to speak.

[MikeSinnis]

I hear what you are saying but yes I would simply have decided not to import it - ive done it publically before on facebook

This is on our facebook page with pictures of another bike I tested.

https://www.facebook.com/SinnisMotorcycles/posts/10152386616077333

- for me honestly is best! Whether that pays the bills or not




Have a look if you want
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Its all about enjoying every day that you have - or at least some point of it

[MikeSinnis]

I dont spam haha
You can donate if you want - thats up to you.
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Its all about enjoying every day that you have - or at least some point of it

[Ste]

[Clutchy]

I jumped the gun there with my initial rating, and have on your other posts as an apology.


Just expected boring spam, I was wrong.
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Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
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[MikeSinnis]

I appreciate that - I used to run a national forum ages ago, and spammers just ruin it for everyone.
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Its all about enjoying every day that you have - or at least some point of it

[HotdogMcDraw]

Nice to read something like this, i will admit i'm not a fan of Chinese bikes but the link and what you say comes across as someone (or your company) who only gives the best for their customers. If only all Chinese bike retailers have the attitude as your companys, they would have a better reputation.

Two thousand miles and no breakdowns eh? Bet some popular named makes would break down within that mileage


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https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=284963 - What to expect on a MOD 1 (contains video footage) - Posted by BG5067

Honda Rebel 125 (L Plate Warrior) - Nov 2013 to Aug 2014, BMW G650 GS ABS - Aug 2014 to Current

[wr6133]

What's your companies involvement with Jinan Qinqi Motorcycle Co. ? Are you an independent company that imports their bikes or do Qinqi have or have had in the past some form of actual interest in Sinnis?

[P.]

I'm of the opinion that 90% of the chinese bikes I've ridden have been fine, but thats over 2-3 months, not year round. However, big

[Pigeon]

Nice trip, some great photo's too.

Weird, I was just looking at pictures of you on the internet the other day..... Mostly looking for any reviews of the Apache 250 on your site.
Been eyeballing it for a year nearly, mainly because I wanted a cheap to run commuter but secondhand Japanese 250's seem pricey for what they are. £2700 for a 2008 CBF250 with 20,000 miles for example.

I had a Chinese 125 for 3 years, road every day, kept outside for first 2 years, did about 20k km.
Wish I hadn't sold it, but 9bhp on a good day is a bit limiting when you need to chase other road users and dish out some kerbside justice.

Have you sold many of the Apache 250? Struggling to find anyone shouting from the rooftops about it.

You do sell some good looking 125's though

[pepperami]

Yer ok I`m impressed!

What the hell is that stuck to your chin????
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[sidewinder]

Nice write up and fair play on the bike you used.proves you don't need a huge budget or top spec bike Togo of and do some touring on

[Pigeon]

[andyscooter]

cracking ride by the look of it
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[MikeSinnis]

Was very enjoyable - has taken about a week to get over the neck ache though - and sleep. I have found a new love for sleep haha

Thanks guys.

As for the Apache 250, we are waiting at the moment for the new gen engine (EFI) unit to be created by our factory. Its been a pain as we have a lot of interest in them, but we want the next Gen to be better - and thats taking time. Its all down to the new EFI system we want to use.

Deffo looking 2015 though - best things are worth waiting for. I need to get one over and test it first
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Its all about enjoying every day that you have - or at least some point of it

[DrSnoosnoo]

I like your post. It is good to see you can take the bike and go round Europe and still have a bike when you got back.

Wouldn't see Victor Devine doing that would ya?

PS You would sell one of those 250s to me if it gets here and you can do some runs on them to prove them, so to speak. Also providing spares can be gotten.
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[deadwolf]

Great read We get the Cafe here in Malaysia under a local brand called KTN with USD forks, a cafe-style seat cowl instead of a humped seat and weird handlebars. Wasn't impressed when I saw one in the flesh earlier, but your trip has made me a bit more interested..


https://img.rnudah.com/images/99/9924380346.jpg
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Motorsapien Art

[MikeSinnis]

Ours has the seat cowl, but we took it off for luggage sake

Im not too keen on that one I must admit - maybe its the rear seat. More pics needed haha
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Its all about enjoying every day that you have - or at least some point of it

[deadwolf]

Confusingly enough, a bit more research reveals that the KTN thingy bears more resemblance to the Sinnis Retrostar.

https://fasttrackmotorcycles.co.uk/sales/FZgHxz_zoom.jpg

https://keretamoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/KTN-GP-125-Classic-15.jpg

The USD forks have leading axles, which doesn't do any favours for the bike's overall look.

Interesting to note that there's actually more seat under the cowl, I had assumed you could unbolt the cowl and have a brat-style seat. Definitely prefer the flat bars and gaitered forks of the original Sinnis.

Frankly I wish the local importers would stop bastardizing the things they bring in
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Motorsapien Art

[MikeSinnis]

Funnily enough - the star logo they use my colleauge here designed for our trackstar, and the factory simply copied it and gave it "to everyone" haha - hes not happy

Genius

Thats our old retro star - the new one is even more similar (but better - obviously) haha

https://www.sinnismotorcycles.com/images/bike_area_images/15/8/right.jpg[/url]
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Its all about enjoying every day that you have - or at least some point of it

[wr6133]

[MikeSinnis]

We are very closely tied in with Qinqi - we are independant yes, but we have excellent ties with them at the factory.
We import from a coupkle of different factorys but our cosest tie is with them
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Its all about enjoying every day that you have - or at least some point of it