RetroStar 250 / commuter bike

[TonUp_imp]

I have been looking for a new commuter bike to replace a tired rebel 125. Well, I have just found this - a Sinnis RetroStar 250.
It is a Chinese motorcycle made by Qingqi company, sold by several distributors, Mash (France & Belgium) Sinnis (UK) Herald (UK).

Yes, it is Chinese and I have heard all the horror stories and negative comments on some of the bike forums about Chinese products. To be fair, I think some of the comments were well deserved for some of the other bike manufacturers. I have checked over some of the Qingqi bikes and they are remarkably well made. OK - some of the welds are not to Honda standard, but they are not bad or likely to fall apart.

Some of the running gear is poor, tyres (reports of no grip in wet weather), chain and sprockets of poor quality (easily replaced).
Those two items are easily fixed. If you buy the more expensive Herald version, it is fitted with Avon tyres and better quality chain.

The engine is a direct copy of a Suzuki GN250 (as fitted to the current TU-250). Spares are interchangeable between the two engines. Economical to run, 80 mpg, 70 - 75 mph top speed.

Engine type: 4 Stroke, Single Cylinder (air cooled)
Displacement: 249cc
Max power: 15.4Kw@7500rpm
Transmission: Manual 5 Speed
Starting system: Electric
Fuel capacity: 10L
Dry weight: 130KG
Seat height: 770mm
Display: Analogue
Front suspension: Telescopic
Rear suspension: Coil Spring
Front brakes: Disc
Rear brakes: Disc
Front tyre: 110/70-17
Rear tyre: 130/70-17

Styled on the '70s British bikes. I was quite taken by the looks and practicality of this little machine. I pick one up in April.
oh, nearly forgot the best bit, £2300 UKP (~3545 USD)

[Capo]

They did a pretty good job with them, and I've read some fairly good reviews in the Brit big mags. But in the name of Devil's advocacy...why not set a price of $3500 and see what kind of used regular bike you could get? I'd imagine there are many, and ones with more power and reliability. Just a thought.

[furious_blue_imp]

I'll be curious to hear about how it holds up in the long run...

My prejudices are that in general, without oversight from western companies, the Chinese as a group have no concept of quality control or function over the long haul.
We get things like 'velcro' that doesn't stick, toilet hardware that can't stand up to normal use, etc, etc,

I will gladly pay 2X for a tool that is NOT made in China, just so that I can be reasonably sure that it's going to hold up to average use... like that awful tree trimmer/saw that I bought that can no longer hold its handle extension in place :-(

some review of a batch of 250cc or so 'chopper' style bikes from China revealed how the carburetor low speed screw (the one that controls the air, I think, I haven't touched a carburetor in so long, I forget what they are called !).. anyway, the adjustment screw wouldn't stay put, so the bike is constantly 'going out of tune' every couple of hundred miles..

I hope things are better than that for you.. I'd love to hear a *good* story, for a change !

[TonUp_imp]

capo: I wanted a new bike to replace a 20 year old one. Yes, I could buy a secondhand Jap bike for the same money, but the RetroStar has a Suzuki engine (made under license). A understand your concerns. I had them too.

furious_blue: Sinnis state that they have a rep in China doing the quality control at the factory.
I appreciate that you are happy to pay x2 for quality. Hey, I just bought a new CB1100ex last year and I know where the quality is and when to pay for it!

I am happy to update this thread with news and information, good or bad, about the RetroStar.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Good luck with it although I personally wouldn't have considered one.

Change the oil before you start it. There's all sorts of horror stories about what they put in the bikes. Some say it's just "shipping oil" and not meant to be ridden with that. But is that just an excuse for the cheap sh!t oil they use?

[furious_blue_imp]

capo: I wanted a new bike to replace a 20 year old one. Yes, I could buy a secondhand Jap bike for the same money, but the RetroStar has a Suzuki engine (made under license). A understand your concerns. I had them too.

furious_blue: Sinnis state that they have a rep in China doing the quality control at the factory.
I appreciate that you are happy to pay x2 for quality. Hey, I just bought a new CB1100ex last year and I know where the quality is and when to pay for it!

I am happy to update this thread with news and information, good or bad, about the RetroStar.

sounds promising.. It will be interesting to hear how it turns out.

Some contributor/editor at Bike Magazine (?) had/has a Chinese bike by manufacturer 'Yamasaki'.
I'd get one of those just for the crazy name :-)