125 IS ENOUGH FOR A FULL-ON ADVENTURE
BRIGHTON-based Sinnis Motorcycles is fast becoming the go-to manufacturer for 125cc bikes. The firm has been designing and producing learner-friendly machines for approaching 20 years and continues to expand and improve.
A while ago I tested its GPX 125, a model which looks like a mini MotoGP-influenced sportsbike. It looks great and performs excellently, and it’s no surprise it’s popular with younger riders. Sinnis also offers a naked, a cruiser and now an enduro, plus a supermoto-style 125.
All of these come in at well under £4,000.
So it makes sense the company also includes an adventure bike in the line-up – the T125.
The T stands for terrain and it certainly looks the part, with full crash-bar protection, dual-purpose tyres, top box and panniers.
I would have preferred spoked wheels and some hand guards but it’s still a great looker.
On board, the seat is well padded and the ride position relaxed, upright and comfortable. The tank holds 14 litres, giving a range of 390 miles, and the luggage capacity is 66.5 litres, so this is a bike you could, in theory, take touring.
But is the engine up to it? In a word, yes. Just under 13bhp may not sound much, but the 124cc liquid-cooled single is plenty pokey enough from the lights, with a good deal of low-down torque and a nice crisp gearbox for smooth changing.
Top speed just about nudges 70mph, but it’s happier cruising along at around 60 in the comfortable sixth gear.
The bike weighs 162kg, so not overly heavy, and it feels responsive and manoeuvrable.
Handling produces no surprises but the suspension is a tad too soft for my liking. The USD telescopic forks (non-adjustable) and a rear monoshock (adjustable for preload) can feel a bit spongy on the tarmac and I even bottomed out on one nasty dip.
But it’s a minor quibble and the bike rides well – plus being softly sprung is an advantage on a green lane.
Electronic gadgetry, as you would expect, is limited, but there is a pretty decent LCD dash and a wellpositioned USB port, and the linked braking system does a reliable job.
Build and finish quality belie the price tag, and the T125 comes with a two-year warranty.