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Sinnis Retrostar 250 Is a Budget Chinese Scrambler with Decent Looks

Truth is, Scramblers and retro-styled bikes are back with a bang in the public’s preferences, but these bikes aren’t still exactly cheap, despite the fact that their construction is as basic as it gets and only several modern technologies are used in the process. Anyway, if you feel like owning a retro scrambler without breaking the bank, the Sinnis Retrostar 250 might be a choice worth looking into.
2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 18 photos
Photo: Sinnis
2015 Sinnis Retrostar 2502015 Sinnis Retrostar 2502015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 looks sharp2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 in the sunset2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 has chrome accents2015 Sinnis Retrostar 2502015 Sinnis Retrostar 2502015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 grips2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 analog gauge with gear position indicator2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 right grip2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 rear shocks2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 has solid rotors2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 peashooter exhaust2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 seat looks a bit cheap2015 Sinnis Retrostar 2502015 Sinnis Retrostar 2502015 Sinnis Retrostar 250
You’re most likely suspecting there’s something amiss with this. Well, we’d not call this “amiss” exactly. The Sinnis Retrostar 250 is indeed a Chinese motorcycle, but we’re not that keen on perpetuating the generic prejudice of saying that everything coming from China is crap. Of course, many of the really cheap motorcycles are only worthy of a one-way trip to the scrapyard, but until proven so, we’ll not downplay the Sinnis.

Classic, era-correct looks

If anything, the 2015 Sinnis Retrostar 250 packs era-correct design cues and this is a first thing we really like. A bulbous tank reminds us about the current Bonneville, and the peashooter exhaust complements the whole attire of the Retrostar 250 perfectly. Matching these to the flat frame and the one-piece tuck-and-roll two-up saddle and the tall, wide bars is a good move, as it puts the Sinnis Retrostar 250 in line with the rest of the more famous bikes. The seat however looks really cheap and judghing by how those panels are sewn together, it won't last a whole season, especially when riding with a passenger.

Another retro touch, maybe a tad too retro is represented by the solid brake discs. Surely, if one is looking for the most accurate reproduction of a retro bike, drilled rotors are out of the question, but we doubt Sinnis was all about such accuracy. Surely a lower price is nice, but contemporary rotors are some sort of a must in our book.

The heart of the Retrostar 250 is an air-cooled 249cc single of which Sinnis claims a 20.6 hp peak power at 7,500 rpm, mated to a manual 5-speed transmission and sporting electric start. Funny thing, Sinnis went for the retro full rotors but equipped the Retrostar 250 with upside down forks… with no protectors. Not exactly a smart move considering that one of the scrambler’s best friends is the muddy trail.

Cue in wire spoked 17” wheels, chromed fenders and headlight casing and a neat analog single gauge with a gear position indicator. The Sinnis Retrostar 250 will so far be available in the UK, a country which seems to be quite a good market for bikes of Chinese extraction.

The price tag reads GBP2,200 plus on-the-road taxes, and this stands for around €2,860 or $3,345. Definitely a steal, but let’s wait for road tests and user reports this year.
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