SINNIS RETROSTAR 250 (2015 - on) Review

Seems dated but you get used to it and ride accordingly

Does exactly what is expected with the 21BHP

With the mods done it's been excellent.

I do the work myself and since the mods I've probably spent less than £100 per year on running costs. With only 21 BHP the tyres and chain are cheap and last forever.

Only the basics but that suits me fine

Best on B roads and country tracksA roads are alright but it looks small and other traffic tends to muscle past even though it is travelling at the legal speed limit Seat is comfortable but not been on a really long trip to find its limits.Brakes work well with no problems encountered

Engine very peppy. Power delivery was a bit too vigorous so I have had the front sprocket changed from 15 to 16 teeth which I have found has made it slightly easier to control. Still takes off like a rocket though if I am not super smooth on the throttle

Very well built. The only part to have failed to date is the headlight bulb and that has only failed once.Wiring is all tidy with no exposed bits. Very well built, nothing looks cheapNo corrosion so far.

It does not do high mileage so it only goes to the garage for a service when the brake fluid needs changing The rest of the time it is home fettled so can't really comment on annual costs

Its looks. Lovely alloy and chrome.I have put a small screen and panniers on it which works well. Keeps off the worst of the weather and makes it useable for shopping etcThe tyres fitted currently are Heidenau road tyres which work well

It's typically a 1970/80''s twin shock feel, and I remember the 250 class bikes from this era.. I never expected anything else. Brakes are a tad wooden but will stop you safely. Only real complaint is the seat is too firm giving a range comfortably of around 10 miles before you get a numb posterior.

The engine is good, but the carb is a potential archillies heel. My bike came running too lean, popping and back firing through the airbix and exhaust, and no amount of adjusting would compensate. I rejetted the carb, also finding the valve clearences too tight, and upgraded the spark plug to a hotter grade and the bike has run faultlessly since. It'll do 70mph, but more comfy at 60mph.

It's good. I can't say it'll ever be exceptional, simply because it's not a £3k plus bike and it doesn't pretend to be either. I've clocked up 38000km in my ownership using it every single day, and apart from chain and sprockets, tyres, oil and filter and plug changes, it's never failed to start, or get me too and from work.

It's cheap as chips and allowing for oil and other items connected with servicing, it's as cheap as you can get. Fuel costs are the best bit. I'm averaging around 70 mpg and I'm not complaining as I do ride it hard at times.

Nothing to shout home about. It comes with a basic tool kit, and very little else. So can't give it a higher score.

Budget rear shocks not a biggie as the bikes so light. Excellent front disc, poor rear. OE tyres surprisingly good though rear worn out after just 4k.

This is a 125 size bike with 20 horse power so very nippy, will hold 70 on the motorway.

Def a match for Japanese quality except for cheap bouncy rear shocks and quick wear chain and sprockets though these parts can easily up graded. I'm impressed by the usd forks and stainless exhaust.

Avg 75mpg. Easy to get at everything. Just change the oil, keep the tyres inflated, job done!

Price and weight kept down having no rev counter or mainstand but the latter is available after market for just £40.Std mirrors not great either. Not keen on the km odometer.

I must get used to a small bike.

No oil leaks.

So far against it on my old 250s it's very good.

Cheap to insure at my age.

For the money it's ok.

At its best going for a blast on small back roads. Everything is good enough and I have a lot of fun every time I take it out. It doesn't weigh much and is easy to throw around. I enjoy having to work it to get the most out of it. You get a real sense of speed when you're going relatively slowly compared to bigger bikes I've had when it can feel like you're hardly moving at 70mph. At 70 on this you're nearly flat out but this is all good!

It pulls well from low down and though it's no sports machine it easily keeps up with traffic. The exhaust note is great. It pops and bangs on over run which I love and although it's not quiet, personally I would prefer it if it was even louder.

Quality seems fine. I only use it on nice days though and I do look after it. The only thing that I would pick on is the seat which looks a bit like it's made to a price but it's not bad.

Cheap as chips

It's basic but I find that to be part of the charm.

A little bit bouncy on our local roads, good riding position up to about 55mph. Brakes are ok as the combined weight of bike and rider is low.

Fair bit of torque but if you want to go above 60mph you have to work the engine fairly hard. Gearbox is good but could do with 6 speeds instead of 5 with closer ratios which might help a bit with performance - but it is only about 20bhp.

Have owned it for a year now and have not experienced any problems at all.

Cheap and easy to service as not much to it. I am getting around 88 miles to the gallon! So cheap to run.

Very basic, time clock and fuel gauge would be useful (does have conventional tap with on/off and reserve), tyres are better than I expected offering reasonable grip in the wet.

no problems at 3000km - except tail light bulb needed replacing

some components I would replace - maybe some new tyres too