Sinnis SP125 and Cafe 3200kms in one week 7 Countries – adventure biker

[Sinnis Mike Keymaster]

Ok so its not around the world, but I thought 3200 kms in 7 days, through 7 countries for Riders for Health was pretty impressive. Oh, and on Chinese 125cc bikes!! We wanted to take in the Nurburgring on the tour too, for a couple of laps

The purpose of the trip originally to highlight our new model we are releasing the SP125 and one of our other models from 2014, the Cafe 125cc, but I soon realised that charity could benefit as well as the good publicity for our own brand Sinnis Motorcycles, here in the UK. Also we wanted to prove that you dont have to own some £10,000 bike to see the world and have an adventure

We started from Brighton UK, and in 7 days had “done” France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Czech Republic and the Netherlands and covered 3200 KMs with Zero break downs, a small crash, two new rear light bulbs and a change of spark plugs (Just as preventative maints).

Ok the gear – this is the thing we were warned about. And good god they were right. Best gizmos in the world? Bluetooth headset from Chatterbox (saved our lives many times) and Iphone 5 waterproof bike mount from Twisty Ride (When the crap Garmin satnav gave up, the trusty Iphone was the only way – even in a monsoon this thing was amazing). Also I have to mention my Nitro helmet – it was £100 and it was absolutely brilliant!

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="768"] Lomo bag for the Win!!![/caption]

Before the trip we threadlocked and checked all of the nuts on the bike, and also threaded a new clutch cable and throttle cable to rest along side the old one on the bike (quick change if needed). We didnt change the tyres (everyone bangs on about crap Chinese tyres in the wet, and I wanted to disprove that on our bikes in particular), and we put 250 miles on the bikes and then serviced them the day before leaving. Spares – we took a spark plug and reg rec, plus a few bulbs.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Bike checking and service[/caption]

We left on Sunday afternoon and headed from Brighton to Ashford in Kent to catch Le Shuttle. (Underground train (under the channel) from UK to Calais – takes about 25 mins) Met some cool French Po Po who were very interested in the adventure, but they wouldnt let me photograph them.

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="768"] Outside the Travel Tavern[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] le shuttle[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Le Shittle[/caption]

Once in Calais we blazed up to Belgium, in particualr Bruges. I (the 6’2″ 17 stone one) have been there before, but my colleague Lukas (bigger beard – ZZ Top revival) had always wanted to go, so it was first on our hit list.

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="682"] Brugges[/caption]

 

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Brugges[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Me and a cock[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Brugges[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Beer Bike[/caption]

 

After a couple of hours walking about sampling waffles, chocolate and the clean air (and overpriced ….. everything) we got back on the bikes and headed to Spa Francorchampe racetrack – our stay that night was at AEAventures, biker only really friendly accomodation. Neil (the owner) and his wife, have an awesome set up, not to mention he is a Nurburgring instructor and does conducted tours etc. The place is full of memorabelia and they even have a dry room, so the massive down pour we suffered on the way (which soaked absolutely everything) didnt ruin our time – as by the morning it was totally dry! AE Aventures is located withing the old Spa racetrack, and next to the new one – an absolutely amazing location!! I will be going back – without doubt

A view from AE Aventures – you drive through this forest on the way

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] AE[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] AEAventures[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="768"] Waffles[/caption]

Their website is here – http://www.aeaventures.com/
I could live there – its beautiful

So far we had had, one massive down pour, and no dramas (other than the price of Tourist food) and fully ladened the SP was doing 62 mph and the Cafe 70+ on the motorway. We didnt want to do much more motorway though – so A roads it was

 

More updates coming in a mo

[Sinnis Mike Keymaster]

Ok after leaving AEAventures and having a long chat with Neil about taking 125cc bikes onto one of the fastest public tracks in the world, we decided that we would pop to Spa Francorchampe circuit and then head to “The Nurburgring”

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Welcome to Germany[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Spa[/caption]

When we arrived at the Ring, we witness the speeds that some cars were doing on the track and decided that for safety reasons we would not go on. To be fair if a car is doing 80mph around a corner and they see me in front doing 25mph exiting the corner – it would not be a good outcome. Beautiful place and setting anyway – so we were really glad we went

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ring[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Ring[/caption]

 
While we were there, sipping coffee we got chatting to two guys (One from Canada and one from Germany) who were best friends and had never been on a bike before – so we though we would give them lessons.

 

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Lessons[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Lessons[/caption]

We then headed off via Luxembourg to make our way to the Czech Republic

The Bavarian hills were just amazing (we got so much video footage!)

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Bavaria[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="682"] Bavaria[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Germany[/caption]

Another ridiculous down pour and then (with sore arses) we made it through the black hills

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Czech land[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Czech[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Shark[/caption]

Went to Prague – found some aweomse places

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Prague[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Prague[/caption]

[Sinnis Mike Keymaster]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Astronomical clock[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Famous for tea[/caption]

Mc Hammer pants due to rain and everything being in the Laundrette

Ok so from Prague we headed up to Liberec to meet the editor of Moto Haus magazine. The biggest mag in Czech Republic.

This man was about 6’8″ – great guy, even let us stay at his house.

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] S and S engine for a Harley[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] 6 foot 8 Somic on the Cafe[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Too Big[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="682"] Liberec[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="592"] Liberec[/caption]

Met some unhappy cats

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Liberec cats[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Awesome Ice cream bar plane[/caption]

 

Language barrier

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Horny Police[/caption]

[Sinnis Mike Keymaster]

We then decided to leave for Leipzig, Drezden and to explore Germany

At this time we had replaced rear light bulbs on both machines. During the Bavarian adventure the Cafe hit some Diesel in the middle of the road and Lukas slid for about 200 yards. No injury other than pride and a shoulder ache, and the Cafe suffered scratched exhaust and broken rear light. Luckily the luggage on the back cushioned the blow – but ohhhhh the pride took a beating. As he normally rides a BMW GS – he felt bad, but I assured him it could happen to anyone (really!)

 

We then headed for Dresden, steeped with history and culture (The Allies effed this place up good and proper in WW2 – well done boys)
One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Drezden[/caption]

The only problem – German public holiday, no hotels at all. We arrived middle of the night and no where was available. We eventuially found two bed in a hostel called Lollis Hostel. It was amazing, the best hostel ever (that I have seen) and just up the road from the Heavy Duty Metal bar. So we decided to let our hair down – too much

Stay here – 14 Euro per night with bedding and nice showers and really cool staff

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Drezden[/caption]

Considering we got drunk, and woke everyone up they seemed to love us (Apart from the dude on the window sill – but who cares about him)

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Dresden[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Dresden[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Dresden[/caption]

Met a German CX rider, travelling the whole of Germany. He loved our SP125

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] CX[/caption]

After one massive hangover – from hell, and a huge breakfast we moved forward to Leipzig. I might add this is all on A roads, so time was slow and beautiful. Never take a 125 on the Autobahn – its dangerous enough at 100 mph

Proof the beards rock

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Leipzig[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Leipzig[/caption]

Missed my girlfriend – and she informed me we are having a baby over the phone! So Happy

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Leipzig[/caption]

Met some really cool people with some beautiful Simpsons

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Simpson[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] EMW[/caption]

Just found this picture – shouldnt be too hard to outsmart the law here

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Czech Po Po[/caption]

We then found THE BEST biking road in Europe. Full of waving bikers, twisty roads, countryside and cafes and things to see.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Germany[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Germany[/caption]

Lovely German food

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Sausage[/caption]

Runnng something defo not a 2T spitter. We exchanged waves, nods and the obligatory blat of speed then on our way again

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] peppy Trabant – loved this car[/caption]

Just precautionary – didnt want to be doing this on the side of a rainy highway.

Then off into Germany where I witnessed this. The greatest machine I have ever seen

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Plug[/caption]

After seeing the lovely sights, and my boss informing me that we were behind schedule the route looked like this.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Map[/caption]

All on A roads. So we took the option of Germany on A roads, then get to Netherlands then hit the Motorways. At this point I may mention that off all of the drivers I have ever witnessed – Belgian Motorway drivers are unique. This is my own personal (and a few others I have chatted to) opinion, but lets just say, If they had a Belgian driver awareness course, no one would turn up. Becuase they would have all crashed into each other on the way.

Rain, agressive overtaking and lots of cutting up, trucks that try to race you – they have it all. (Ok maybe the rain wasnt fair).

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Netherlands[/caption]

 

Not much to report about our brief session in the Netherlands
Other than goats, friendly people and motorway – boring old motorway

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="682"] I was tired so adopted my Russian feelings pose[/caption]

Lukas hit the Candy shop

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="768"] Candy[/caption]

 

And tiredness outside an old people home we stormed for tea and cake
They loved us – I think

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="768"] Sleepy[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="768"] GOat PRO[/caption]

I let someone take a pic of my beard – she then ran off and showed her mum. This was the response

Still got it!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] beard[/caption]

then back to crappy Calais for 10.30pm in the pouring rain.
The excitement fully gone

[Sinnis Mike Keymaster]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="768"] Le Shittle[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Sleep[/caption]

Then a mad dash from Kent down to our beloved Brighton for 1am – in the rain. You cant beat your own bed!!

So all in all – to sum up

3200 kms or 2000 miles on two Sinnis 125cc Machines through 7 countries. No breakdowns, the bikes cost £1500 for the Cafe and £1295 for the SP125 and the kit (which could have all been dumped bar the Lomo bag, Twisty ride Iphone holder, Chatterbox Bluetooth set and a decent coverall waterproof suit). Id say not bad at all
Didnt even swap the tyres out for stickier ones and the only maints was a spark plug and a couple of bulbs.
Raised a bit of money for charity too. How bad can it be?

I loved it all – even in the monsoon. I have loads of Go Pro video and Muvi Video that im now editing (we had four cameras)

I woke up the next day wanting to get back out there. Ok, maybe on a 250cc + machine, but thats only because of speed on the motorways. The 125s were perfectly capable on the A roads.

Great experiance. And would gladly help anyone else in their quest to do the same

New arse please

[incheye (admin) Keymaster]

Very good read, thank you so much for posting this here! Lots of ‘lol’ moments, hehe (new arse please) can’t wait to see some of the footage either! I have always wanted to do something like this, and you did it on sub-1500 quid sinnis’s!!! very very good advert for sinnis here you’ve put together

[incheye (admin) Keymaster]

how long did it all take?

(edit: silly me seven days says so at the top)

• This reply was modified 5 years ago by  incheye (admin).

[Sinnis Mike Keymaster]

7 days (at a serious push) maybe a few hours over haha

[incheye (admin) Keymaster]

Hey Mike, this was such a good read we made it into a featured post and it now adorns the front page, thanks again for posting this here