Zontes ZT 310-R

When you mention Chinese motorcycles, faces grimace and heads shake. Chinese motorcycles are basically made from the same mold and lack any form of inspiration. That all changed last year when Zontes decided it was perfectly alright to do something different. Zontes will challenge your perception and prove that this brand in moving even closer to their Japanese counterparts.

Last year I reviewed one of their products, the S250, and I came away thinking that it is surprise package. Well, now they came up with something even better looking – the ZT 310–R.

The 310-R is a spectacularly good looking bike. The styling is aggressive and it will not look out of place next to the naked bikes from Kawasaki or Honda. It has bold lines and an exhaust system that terminates in two stumpy sliced pipes just behind your right footrest. Even the headlight has evolved from the S250 and looks even more Transformer like. There are a lot more colour accents, and I must admit, I honestly like the design of this bike.

Looking good is only one half of the coin, though. Firing up the fuel-injected 312cc mill the bike pulls with a hefty dollop of grunt. This was not what I expected. Chinese motorcycles are not usually known for a great deal of power. They focus more on reliability, so when the little Zontes took off with a kick, I was pleasantly surprised. Stopping too, is taken care of ABS-assisted brakes and the brake lever is even adjustable.

When I tested the S250 last year, I mentioned that the small LCD screen displays revs, speed and fuel level. It has a clock, and one trip meter. In the 310 a gear indicator has been added and engine temperature also made it to the triangular shaped dash. Another notable feature on the bike is a keyless entry.

The ZT310-R makes for an ideal commuter or beginner bike. It has arresting looks and enough grunt to keep you ahead of traffic. The build quality of the Zontes range is ever improving and on the whole the Zontes is a good bike. It has killer looks, and that alone might sway buyers in this category.

Article and Photos: Brian Cheyne