Sinnis cafe 125 - opinions?

[m1tch]

Hi all,

I am looking around for what bike I should go with for a first bike, I probably won't be changing to a bigger bike for quite a while as it won't be my main form of transport - more of a bit of fun.

Having a look around at the usual 125s like the CG or equivalent I came across the Sinnis brand.

I am aware that there are chinese bikes which are apparently quite bad on quality, but I have found that Sinnis uses Suzuki engines (as they produce many OEM parts and have a partnership with Suzuki) rather than using a chinese clone engine.

I was just wondering if anyone on here had one and what they were like, they come with a 2 year guarantee and other reviews seem to be pretty good.

Although I am choosing my first bike I am still looking for an older 'classic' style of bike, not a sports bike or cruiser. The Sinnis cafe is around £1500 new vs say around £1k used for a CG.

[wr6133]

[m1tch]

[G]

Unless it was actually made with Suzuki quality checkers, any relation to 'Suzuki' is irrelevant.

They are a pretty bike.
If you buy a Suzuki, or say a Honda, you can be pretty sure they'll be around in a year's time to sort your warranty claim.
It might be a whole load of hassle and involve a forum hassling a variety of positions in their company until they sort out your issues, but you've got a start.

If you want a first bike you plan to keep and want practical fun riding, this would be far, far from my choice.
If you want a bike that'll look pretty at the local trendy wine bar, it'll do the job (well, for the first few weeks, anyway.)

Given the choice, I'd go for an NSR125 if I wanted a 125 I was in your position.

[m1tch]

[MC]

Rogerborg's MIA atm (should we be sending out a search party?), he'd be telling you to buy a Jianshe, as they're made in the same factory as the YBR or something.

Out of the chinese brands, Sinnis are doing something a bit different, creating new models and focusing a bit more on quality.

Unfortunately with this the price's going up. £1500 can get you a mint <insert Japanese 125 here>, and CG/YBR's can be picked up for a lot less.

The clincher is depreciation, it's not difficult to buy a Jap' 125, run it for a year with very little if any depreciation. You'd be lucky to get half of what you paid for that Sinnis in a year.

Also with the warranty you've got to be careful, often they want you to bring the bike to them to maintain the warranty (not saying Sinnis do this but some do), last time I checked a Honda warranty you could service the bike yourself.
____________________
Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[G]

Depends if you're more into the looks or the riding .
I chose a CG125 as my first bike and regretted not getting the NSR.

I'd go for a YBR over a CG these days. Can pick them up pretty cheaply and they've got a few more modern amenities.

[m1tch]

Thanks for all this help guys, I am glad that I asked on this forum, the CBT centre is actually next to a Yamaha dealership so I might be on a YBR for the CBT.

I was really wanting a more classic looking bike rather than a more modern commuter bike but I guess that could wait until I get a full licence etc.

[m1tch]

[G]

I'd say a 'naked' YBR looks pretty similar to a late model CG.

Given the choice, I'd go for a later model CG.

But, again, it does all depend on whether looks or riding are more important to you!
You may also find what you think is important now, won't be when you've been riding for a bit.

For me it was fuel economy and so on that made me choose the CG. It turned out I actually enjoyed riding bikes as well, so regretted not choosing a bike that was good for this.

[m1tch]

[G]

Or you could get a cheap second hand Japanese bike like a YBR that's a lot less likely in the balance of probabilities to have problems, less likely to have depreciation and so on.

[m1tch]

[wr6133]

[m1tch]

[Wonko The Sane]

[Benjums]

Why don't you just go for the direct route and go for your das? It will save you hassle in the long run of trying to sell your bike on flea bay and having to deal with some idiots on there.
A few of us on here have gone from no riding experience to full licence and are still alive to tell the tale.

[m1tch]

[wr6133]

[Wonko The Sane]

[Benjums]

I will have a look into that, I might indeed go for a direct route as I am old enough etc.

The bike will be just for fun, I do 95% motorway driving to get to work and have a car which returns 75-80mpg so there is no need for a fuel efficient bike.

I need to look into the DAS route and see what it entails, I don't know what the restrictions are on that (eg I can only learn on a 125).[/quote]

With the das you will need a cbt cert a valid theory cert and while your learning you will be on a 600 of some sort. It's can vary how many days you do learning wise but I think the normal is one day for your cbt, then 3 out on the big bike with your tests at the end, although this will change a bit from school to school. Best thing I can say is to get your theory booked up first. Then when that is passed book your das.

[m1tch]

[wr6133]

[m1tch]

[Rogerborg]