New Sinnis supermoto: SM-R 125 is new street version of SM-XE learner trailie

This funky, learner-legal supermoto is the latest from Chinese/British brand Sinnis and, if it looks familiar, that’s because it’s the new street-tyred spin-off of the SM-XE 125 trail bike also revealed in June 2022. 

It’s called the SM-R, based around the same liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve, 125cc motor as the XE and joins its sister bike in being the marque’s most powerful learner-legal bike yet.  

In addition to producing the regulation A1 class 14.8bhp at 9000rpm, the road focussed R pushes out 8.5ftlb of torque at 8500rpm which, through a six-speed gearbox, is claimed to be good enough for a top speed of over 60mph. 

Best of all though, at just £3399 (the same as the XE), the new SM-R offers competitive performance and a modern, credible spec at a price significantly below its mostly European rivals.  

As with the SM-XE, the new Sinnis’ most obvious competitor is Aprilia’s SX/RX 125 duo – with the SX being the supermoto and the RX the trail-styled versions of the Italian liquid-cooled A1-class machine.  

The two Aprilias both cost £3850, however, which is £450 more than the Sinnis, while none of the Big Four Japanese manufacturers currently offer supermoto/trail 125s.  

Nor does the new Sinnis SM-R’s impressive tech end with its liquid-cooled engine. Like the XE it comes with beefy 54mm inverted forks and a rising-rate mono-shock rear. 

Being a supermoto, you also get 17-inch rims wearing fatter street-focused rubber. This differs from the XE, which gets 21/18in black anodised, alloy-rimmed wires. 

Two colours are available – black or grey. For more go to sinnismotorcycles.com.