It’s refreshing to see every bike considered on its own merits. Hated Top Gear for a while as everything was benchmarked against super cars and as such everything but a supercar was rubbish. As each rider has different needs, likes and preferences, Mark does a great job of analysing each bike on its own merits and he keeps his biases out of the review. Keep up the good work Mark. What I like to see that is missed on this review is driving at night. However you covered this on a different Zontes I seem to remember.
I'm really keen on this. Had a few adventure bikes back in Oz, but now in sunny Stoke . Know a guy who has a 350 GK, and reckons its the dogs nutz. I haven't ridden one ( Zontes) , but the quality of this brand looks impressive. Following you now, Mark. Good review .
Another fab review, i have the tz350 2 17 , really enjoying the road holding the way it accelerates so much fun and of course the over 80 mpg , has caused a bit of interest at the stops ive been to as people dont see these bikes very often , i know its a Chinese bike and some people wont touch them , but i think its a fab little bike with quite a few surprises
nice review of a beautiful looking bike 👍 I really wanted one of these in 2021, but the local dealer i emailed about one complete with full luggage, heated grips etc for cash no trade in, never emailed me back after a month (tbh it was covid lockdown but hey! 🤔) so i emailed the local Royal Enfield dealer for a Himalayan and got a reply back within 24 hrs, so i ordered a fully loaded Himalayan, i have owned it since june 2021 and love it! but the Zontes is always on my mind..fantastic looking bike 😜 I gave up my 1000cc+ bikes in Jan 2021 and have never looked back..small engine bikes are soooo much fun to own, i can load the Himmy up to the hilt with camping gear and it still rides the same as being unloaded..this Zontes will probably do the same..really need one in my stable lol
I had one !!! It's a fantastic bike but I always have problems with the little remote keyless key the battery would drain so fast! Develops a coolant leak so they actually changed the water pump housing free of charge , then the electric catch for the fuel tank got stuck which was interesting! The little plastic clip break off so that was changed under warranty as well. it was a fantastic little motorcycle! Though then I moved on to a KTM 990 adventure. Great review as always
Hi Steve it won't be on the website now as the new 350 version has taken over and is incoming very soon but these would make a great used buy ...this one would be like £3 k cheers mark
Thanks Mark, I love your review style, comprehensive and easy to understand. I hope to try one of these for possible use as a town/green lane bike - I don't understand the whole 800cc plus adv trend lol. Zontes UK shows the seat height of both the 17 and 19 inch wheel 2022 version as 830mm. The colour looks great and this has so many features for the money. :>)
I can assure you that the 19" version does have a higher seat. You may also see various weights quoted - I took mine to a weighbridge which said it was 194kg (wet)
Having seen them in the flesh I'd certainly agree they are well made bit like cf moto. I think the Chinese brands need to improve their service intervals to become more mainstream 3k intervals is well short of the established brands
Fantastic review just brought the 2022 350 edition really loving it so comfortable compared to my ktm duke 390 ,thanks for the great review helped me in my decision.
great review Mark... that is a cracking little bike, not sure about the oil in the frame, never heard of that before, but overall the bike looks nice. I particularly like the sound of the machine, I think I would buy one. cheers Mark. 😊
Looking forward to your 310 review. California / USA update. Mark I am on 2 lists with Money down for motorcycles. CB500x, no word of when it might come in, months maybe. The other is a KTM 390 Adventure. No Idea when the will come in? Things are not to good for motorcycles here in the USA. Just FYI, thanks for all you reviews.
Im also owner of T310 2021 version, not yet faced any isshue. Odo ~ 6k km, I know people which is use same engine block (x model) 76k km without any isshue.
How would you say this bike compares to the Royal Enfield himalayan and the benelli trk502? I have a himalayan and have been disappointed in the aftermarket treatment as my bike has faults and it may just be a bad bike as others haven't had my problems but considering this and the trk as a replacement. Would be interested in your opinion as you have riden all 3.
Great review. The problem with Zontes bikes is that though they are well made and affordable, they continually style their bikes with hideous bits and pieces of sharp objects that are unnecessary, and they tend to be garish looking with equally hideous colours. A pity as they are clearly well specified in other ways.
Think I'd choose this over a Himalayan, and it might come down to a coin toss with the Duke 390 (especially with the 350 Zontes model) if I was going for an affordable adventure bike. Seems a perfectly decent bike to me, but I'd worry about servicing options/dealer network if I did some serious distance riding
Hey Mark if you get a chance to ride a Honda CB300R I’d be really interested. Great reviews as always, really value your opinions on these bikes, kept up the good work.
@@markpulling12 thanks Mark, that bike is on my list. I had a freak accident on a kids scooter in Italy 5 weeks ago (fractured skull, brain haemorrhage, collarbone, ribs etc) and need to slow down a bit so that 300 could suit me well.
I have to laugh every time people start talking about "China brands" vs. "Japan brands" etc. Wake up - there is no such thing. Corporations are multi-national and every manufacturer (of decent size) uses parts and components from all over. As economies increase (and increase cost) they move some of their factories to cheaper locations - sometimes cheaper due to scale via one factory making engines for lots of other companies, sometimes cheaper due to freight and customs, etc. Honda's 300cc platforms are not Japanese.... they are Thai, except for the XRE 300 dual sport that is made in Brazil and another one made in India? Some people posted here it looks like this bike is copying KTM, but they apparently don't know that KTM is indeed partnered with China-based manufacturers such as CFMoto. China based mfgs like Lifan make engines for many other companies. Kawasaki has 4 plants in the USA but also partners with China based company Chongqing since 2014. All manufacturers use modern equipment e.g. CNC machines and methods e.g. Six Sigma quality and have to meet safety inspections at this point in history - be happy you get the rewards. It shows up in other areas like guitars, etc. that are mfg all over the world as well. You need to judge each model of bike on its own merits. NOT the badge of the brand on the tank. The only real differentiators are: price, warranty, dealer support network. And in a long while you will have data on each model's particular foibles at mileage points if you are going to buy used. Otherwise, pick the bike that you like, meets your needs at your price.
@@markpulling12 In Russia, the Umbrella was not delivered. That's how it sounds in Russian Zontes. but Voge 500dsh was brought to us. which is Chinese copy of Honda CB500x. I can't say anything bad - it drives great. And it does not go fast - but it conquers mountain climbs well. However, the price is not humane. And in principle equal to the original construction of the Honda. Although in our opinion it should be 2 times cheaper. 9200$
Well Mark gotta sat I'm liking this one very well specked bike and why can all the manufacturers do electric screens like this if Zontes can on what is a very reasonably priced bike . If did the same in a 650 or something like that it would be of massive interest to me although this would be good as a second run around bike . Dry sump and oil in frame that's a new one on me great review 👌👍
These are good bikes in fact Zontes IMO are at the top when it comes to the Chinese made motorcycles. Zontes have their own massive factory where the bikes are produced mostly in house aside of the Bosch injection. This bike is peppered with stainless steel nuts and bolts and extras like an electric screen, self locking, a coloured TFT screen with even tyre pressure monitoring, LED lights all round, it's very economical to run (Something that is becoming more important by the day) and it has a very respectable top speed, how do I know? Because it was my bike that I traded for the Zontes 310m scooter from Poole Moto, the scooter is equally well presented and suits my needs better these days, so for what you're paying compared to equivalents it's a very good deal and those that think folks like Honda make everything in Japan well that is not the case, even some Triumphs are made in Asia these days. Anyway each to his own and I am more than happy with the brand.
@@markpulling12 Good I hope they enjoy it as much as I did, and thanks for your reviews, your review of the scooter helped make my mind up, and so far I love it. 👍
Hi Mark! Im looking to buy a Daytona Maverick 500, hardly any info/review on youtube. Would you consider doing a review on that one? and if you are to compare to Honda CB500X, (especially knowing that honda has 12000 km service intervarls while these ones have it a 5000) what are your thoughts on these 2 bike? cheers!
Chinese bikes have short service intervals, which I suspect is more down to poor-quality Chinese oil than anything else. I suspect that, with a modern full-synthetic oil, you could perhaps go 5000-6000 miles, providing you were using the bike on long runs only. But then the full-synth oil costs twice the price of mineral oil. It's probably very easy to service if you have basic mechanical knowledge and tools...valve adjustment might be complex , but the rest should be do-able at home .
Great review as always Mark, I just couldn't trust a Chinese bike, on a bike you are depending on a lot of things to keep you safe but I'd be afraid this thing would fall apart under me at some critical moment😀 I know lots of things and the components in a lot of things are now made in China but I think I'll stick with the Japanese stuff as long as I can. Looks like they are copying KTM here a bit.
I kind of agree with your sentiment regards Chinese bikes, however I remember when in the 70s we heard, these Japanese bikes are a flash in the pan, nothing compared to British bikes, lol.
What Japanese stuff? Most of the Japanese companies are making their bikes in Thailand, Indonesia, etc. And yeah don't be surprised if this bike "copies" KTM - pretty sure KTM is manufacturing in both China and India, although I thought KTM's China partner is CFMoto.
well KTM have whole bikes built in China and India for a start, Honda also Suzuki, Yamaha have bikes made there and they build a lot of stuff for BMW out there as well, people should try to find out about things before commenting as it saves looking daft
I just hate TFT instrument clusters, can't beat analogue, they look gorgeous too mostly, nothing worse that paying for a bike and seeing what looks like a cheap outdated tablet, not into distracting menus and electronics on a bike, just my opinion of course.
Hi @robsimon4397 i would like to know if you have faced any issue with this T310 bike. Please advice. As i am thinking of getting this bike as my first adventure bike? Any issue with the engine? Is it comfortable? did you have issues using the bike for long ride?
I'm considering one as it only a year old with 500 miles on it. But I'm concerned about long term build and quality on parts. Looks like too much to go wrong and too much technology on a Chinese bike. Would we be all better off buying a used V strom or the like. Other makes have been around a long time and have stood the test of time. I'm more inclined to buy a bike I can maintain myself. Older technology still does it for me. Modern bikes need plugging in at dealers to fault find!! Thats £150 straight away.
Great stuff! Think if I go adv route its the Himalayan or the Moto Morini x cape. Have you reviewed the Morini? Also am guessing you are going to review the Zobtes 350 cruiser?
To all my biker/rider friends out there in Europe and in N. America a quick word of advice ... DO NOT spend your hard earned money on any bike with the name ZONTES on it. You will regret it instantly. If you want to trade it in most dealers will not want it or if they do they'll give you a pittance for it and despite all the "Tags" on the bike like ABS, Nissin and J Juan etc, this is no more no less than a Chinese piece of garbage. After 2 weeks I started having several problems and was fortunate to trade it in for a second hand Honda. Zontes are plastic bikes with a lot of hidden plastic very low quality parts. I've been a biker since 1992 and I hadn't ridden in the last 4 and a half years and bought a Zontes GK350 - What a mistake that was, fortunately I was able to trade it in. Ride safely. Mike.
I just wanted to send my condolences to you and your fellow English citizens for the passing of your beloved Queen Elizabeth! I was raised by a family who believes in compassion and empathy towards your fellow human beings, and we can't leave out the animals! On another topic that's relevant to your content, I am requesting a review of the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello, whenever it comes out! I am in America, and I realize the difference in availability, pricing, among other things for motorbikes Even so, a review of this bike would be groovy and well appreciated! Thanks and have a good one!