I’ve just ordered one and collect on Saturday - your review really helped my decision over this or a Sinnis terrain . Looking forward to getting it and building up my riding experience .
Thanks for a totally unbiased and informative review. Looks the Chinese have finally arrived with serious competition to put the frighteners up the establishment. Hopefully the CBT fiasco sorts itself out and youngsters can get a chance to ride this summer
I own this bike now for a couple of months and i´m not so positife about it. Topspeed realistic is max 95 km/h. Somethimes it refuses to go in first gear,en there is always a smell when i drove it.Its not so a great bike afterall.allso does it makes al lot off friction noise during driving .Wat makes me believe that the reviews are on a to short time span to be reallistic. EDIT:After almost 3000 km i must say that it's driving a lot nicer. The gearshifting problems are gone,smell is also gone. The handling is very good. So not a bad bike after all,on the downside there aren't many aftermarket pieces available. But maybe when there are more getting sold the after market for this brand will grow.
Nice to watch a comprehensive review rather than a quick couple of minutes of waffle. Zontes are definitely a brand to keep your eyes on. I'm on my second zontes and would not hesitate to buy again.
Quite impressed with the build quality. You can see straight away its not junk. And with the led lights digital dash electric fuel cap and steering lock its amazing value for money . I wish them well, think if this lockdown ends these will sell extremely well.
Bought one today on the strength of your review! Returning to a bike after 40yrs.. just hope I selected right and not a future load of trouble.. by the way great video review cheers
Just got mine today, I just wanted to add, it looks so much better in life, and as you said nothing feels or looks cheap So thanks for helping make a buying decision. I'm very happy I chose this one .
Brilliant review which helped tremendously in my choice of bike, which was narrowed down between the Lexmoto LXR 125 SE and this bike. Having watched many videos and seeing both in the showroom, the Lexmoto isn't even in the same league as the Zontes for build quality and spec. Just placed an order for the ZT125-U in red/graphite as my first bike 😊
Well done on your choice having done the homework. Mark’s reviews are so important in helping towards the big decision. His review made my mind up for the Ninja 1000SX too!
@@stevenbrazier4744 Yeah. I do quite like the research aspect of making a big purchase, and would agree videos like this are invaluable. I am a long way off a 1000cc, and fairly late to the biking scene, but I've got to start somewhere, which is hopefully this Monday 🤞
@@vaughanoneill8 It is never too late to enjoy yourself, have fun and don't worry about the 1000cc bikes. Their riders can hardly ever ride them with the commitment that you can ride a 125ccc with. 😉😎
After riding a Scorpion for two years with no issues at all I would not hesitate buying one. My only gripe of the scorpion is the dreaded rust which attacks the forks and especially the exhaust other than that the bike is well balanced and a pleasure to ride.Loved the review and confirmed what I already knew,a brand to watch out for. I remember japanese cars in the seventies,mechanicaly sound but the bodies rusted something aweful. Once the recipe for the metal was sorted well the rest is history.China is going to be the world leaders once they have done the same.
True on the nose review,I just had mine delivered today,second hand 1100 miles on the clock, £2,600 purchased from soveriegn motor company derby,the guy who delivered it was also a mechanic and rider who tests all the bikes himself before they take them in,he told me he was highly impressed on the test runs and I agree 100%. Don't laugh but I had a keeway superlight that was and is still a joy too ride,I am probably going too keep it but it will only be my second bike from now on. I am 68 yrs old and only just riding from last year after 43 yrs and loving it again,riding this bike from being on my "cruiser" is totally different mainly because the seating position and I have 90% spondulosis but still feel good riding the zontes,of course there is a fair amount more acceleration in the zontes and a fair bit more speed overall very impressed with the great quality and high end extras,the only downside is where too put the L plates, not as straight forward as you may think,and the lack of storage space so a purchase of side bags and the mounts. But watch this space. Ray(donnas)Donohue, Manchester \{°¿°} /.
After Lexmoto screwed me over on my last bike (developed an engine fault which can't be mended due to lack of parts) and refuse to pay up the full price while the bike is still on a 2 year warranty and the bike has just 1 year the dealer pointed me to this bike. After reading the reviews and looking it up on YT (including your review) I've pulled the trigger and am getting it by the end of this month in their new colour scheme, black/blue. Really can't wait for it to arrive
That is a great review, it seems like an impressive little bike. Does it have the 'big bike' feel to it? I'll be interested to see what's next. How about the Svart pilen 401?
great informative video, well done! i am seriously thinking of getting this bike soon, dealers here only the 155 models tho' , looks the same with this 125
@@markpulling12 yes it was great fun, if I had ABS on the tnt I would go for one again, I have had my days of big bikes 350ypvs etc but the tiddlers are brilliant, plus I don’t get the aches I did from sports bikes, getting old !
So true! I bought a keeway rkf 125 in 2019 and it was awesome for 6 months then it started rusting in places where they had skipped using stainless steel. Then it started dying on me and 18 months later it’s spent 8 of the last 12 months in the menders it’s currently having a new engine cos the head gasket went.. it’s S cost me more than I saved from a Japanese bike in bills and taxis. So I’ve ordered one of these lol .🤞🤞🤞
I’ve ordered the ZT125U! It arrives in 4 days. Things I’ve learnt.. it does 77 mph once run in. The eco button does nothing as the bike is restricted in the eu to eco mode all the time for euro 5. In other countries (none eu) this has 18hp. You can’t turn the abs off which is the only negative. Thanks for the review because of this I bought one of these without ever seeing one.
I´m considering this bike as my first bike even though i am currently doing my A2 license. It just looks that good. But for now only the ZT125G1 and ZT125U are available in Germany so i´m crossing my fingers. They would only have to stick their 310 engine in there and it would make even more people happy
@@markpulling12 I was looking at the G1 as well. That‘s another good option. I feel like it‘s a direct competitor for the Svartpilen 125. And 2000€ cheaper so they really are a great deal
I do motorways on my Yamaha majesty s 125, no issues at all, First thing I’d replace if I owned one of these is the headstock bearings for high quality roller bearings,
I'd like to see that bike with a 250 cc displacement. Weighing 170 lbs. I could use the extra power! But overall, I am impressed with the design. I'd like to see what the scrambler model looks like too.
Really impressive this bike, the details how it was built!! just the last question! What is the top speed? We don't expect too much 130 would be great!
Great review Mark. As a 52 year old who suffers from chronic pain, lower back problems. Which one would be more comfortable ie less stress on the back. The u1 or g1. Thanks
I have the ZT125-U in the same colour I have to say the bijr is brilliant. I'm big 6'2" stocky I've had 74mph on the flat out of it so far with my big bag on my back, wet gear and peaked helmet causing drag I weighted myself before I took my gear off and was 19.2. Performance I would say is on par with a Duke. Build quality is up there with the big brands a real quality bike fir 3 grand.
15hp, water cooled, 6 gears, ABS front and rear, backlit switchgear, keyless ignition, proper fuel gauge, temp gauge and all that for £3,100. What's the catch?
Brilliant review for Chinese motorcycle look like they are doing alot better then Lexmoto ls-n 125cc. what are they like all year round with are great lovely British weather, is it worth going Chinese when the Yamaha range ain't far off the price of a bike no one has ever heard of . The bike looks amazing
These are very well built , equivalent to japanese I would say ,and don't forget that many " japanese. 125s " are now made in china / Thailand anyway cheers mark
@@markpulling12 very ttrue, but when you hear Yamaha or Honda the first thing you think of it reliable and quality. Zontes have not got there yet, but I am still thinking about getting one I wish them all the best with sale. I feel they have a long way to go.
Hello Mark! Nagyon tetszik ez a motor! Ha kirándulni szeretnék vele, egyszerre 50 - 100 km-t (~30 - 60 mp) bírná a 7000 fordulatot percenként tartósan? Üdvözlet, Robert
Hi the keeway is nearly as good but the price of it has gone up here in the uk to nearly the price as the zontes so I'd say zontes all the way :) Cheers mark
So a year on how has this Chinese chocolate bike lasted? I really like the look of this and I'm torn between this and the svartpilen 125. Everyone tells me to stay away from the Chinese brands as I want to run it all year round as a work commute... any advice??
These are good bikes ...it's not mine this was a demo but I see many of these after a year still going fine but you just need to service them regularly and keep on top of the maintenance which is cheap and easy Best regards mark
Have you had any problems with engine warning lights? 1 or 2 comments from people having problems with this, engine light cums on. bike looses power. Think the problem was the ecu? They get their bike back with light out all good then light cums back on and back to square one.. do you no if this fault has been resolved?
Steve this issue is well known throughout the dealership's....the early models engine light would come on in temps less than 5c air intake sensor....the dealers swapped the ECU for a modified one....the latest bikes won't be effected Cheers mark
In your opinion what would be the best first bike between keeway rks, lexmoto lxs, and this bike? Just found about about zontes and your reviews for me really thinking about it
Mark, what's your view on this Vs the zontes G1.. I prefer the look, I think of the 125, G1. Any outstanding differences as that, this, the keewayRKF and Benelli BN are all on my short list.
Hi James both those zontes ride much the same ...I like the look of the G1 and it's a nice size and rides very well...the keyway and benelli are nearly as good but I think the price of those has gone up a bit so I think you would be better off with the zontes .. they really are nice quality bikes cheers mark
@@markpulling12 thanks very much. I think I prefer the G1, just looks. But more mature. Is the build quality, switch gear etc all on the same par between the G1 and ZT1? Lastly, there's anyone you recommend and you get a referral fee etc, I'm happy when I'm buying to take a look at them as a supplier etc.
@Mark Pulling. Think I'm at the G1 Vs keewayRKF as my last two. There's still a price difference on those two models and around a 700-900 difference so may yet for for the keewayRKF as my first bike, for commuting, for two is years before upgrading.
Now that is a decent looking bike! Makes you wonder, if they can make a decent, modern 125, how long will it be before they are making decent 600’s 1000’s etc.
Is there any chance to get these simple handguards seperatly? I can't find a dealer or just one online offer for these items. ??? (I would like to put them on my G1!!!)
@@markpulling12 I asked Zontes directly and they answered quite quick. Unfortunaly they are not able to send me spare parts to germany for bikes, which are not mentioned to be sold in the german market - and the 125 U1 is not available here...... so these handguards too...
Nice looking little bike but it did look very small when you were on it. I see they do a 310 (believe it may be the same as BMW 310 engine) version is that one you’ll be testing?
Hi George the zontes is very high spec for a Chinese bike ...keyless ignition , electric fuel cap etc etc ... the Honda is made in Thailand ... probably a better second hand buy if you don't want to spend too much ...but if you want the nicer ride I'd go for the zontes Cheers mark
@@markpulling12 the newer 2021 model is made im italy. If it was thailand id for sure go for the zontes. Ill have to spend more time thinking. Thanks for the answer
Really nice looking bike, love the wheels. How tall and heavy are you though as you look.just slightly too big for the bike and you don't look like a particularly big chap? Ah 5ft 7.........wow so this bike is tiny....shame.
@@markpulling12 you mean somehow... that is more flexible..!I'm just afraid that it looks like a mini 50 cc bike.... Because the scrambler for sure it looks bigger..!
@@takis4954 I mean more able to take on light trails etc ...or if the weather is bad snow ice etc it's riding position and off road styling maybe be better but they all ride very well and use the same engine ...I agree the scrambler looks great
I'm looking to get my cbt done and looking for a cheap first time bike. Been looking at a couple, the sinnis terrain it was I was going to go for, but this seems a decent bike for roughly the same price and the bit extra bhp, , how is this up steep hills?. Thanks.
@@markpulling12 hi, thanks for the reply, is there any difference in the zt125u and u1 apart from the look, which would you recommend, or is just down to preference. Thanks
@@Undead-Aquila hi Jamie ...they are pretty much the same ...the u1 has semi knobbly tyres which actually work great on the road ,the u has it's number plate down by the back wheel and has road tyres ,both are brilliant but if personally go for the u1 as it's more versatile as in gravel roads etc Cheers mark
@@markpulling12 thanks for the info, ordered the sinnis terrain but they are backlogged until late june, the zt125u is also backlogged until mid june and the u1 is in stock. So this might be the bike I will go for. Going to get this ordered this week. Keep up with the reviews.
Good looking machine,£4000 for a Chinese bike though.Mmmm I got my Keeway RKF due to great reviews ,nice build quality all for £2200.If I get bored of the RKF I may be tempted if they lower the price.
Hi Donald , I'm 65 and just bought one afew months ago. Absolutely brilliant bike. Will post a review comment shortly on this page and cover more aspects.
Sorry it doesn't have a locked sport mode ...you may get a tiny bit more power with an aftermarket exhaust...but I've never heard of these producing 18 hp Best regards mark
Most of the 'high powered' 125 cc offerings from KTM, Yamaha and Honda will exceed 75mph. So i don't why this bike won't be the same. Obviously this is dependent on gearing etc.
@@captainaverage721 because its Chinese, it will never be as same level as let's say a Cb125r engine, though on paper they are identical. A Honda can hold redline all day long, it's just different.
@@jeremycubs8331 I'm afraid to tell you that so many Japanese and European engines are actually built in either China or the far East. BMW parallel twins are built by Loncin in China, Suzuki have an engine manufacturing plant in China, Harley Davidson have many of their components manufactured there to, my own Honda cb650r was manufactured in Thailand just next to the Triumph factory. Its not the country of origin that effects the reliability of the engine but the means of production and the quality control standards that are set in place.Its no longer a case of the Chinese are coming, they're here. This same xenophobic attitude was prevalent in the 70s with the Japanese and look what happened to the British car and bike industry.
@@captainaverage721 yep I'm aware of that, I just sold my Cb500f and it was made in Thailand,but the quality is still a Honda Though. I don't think manufacturer as big as Honda would jeopardise their reputation by using inferior materials with their units being Made in Thailand, if anything its more like assembled in Thailand but still its Japanese nonetheless.
Hi yes these have a lithium battery so yes you can charge it with a suitable charger .....I think there is a usb on the bike to charge your phone Best regards mark
@@markpulling12 thanks for answering! Okay, I will look soon to buy this:) Do you know the difference, between zontes 125u to Zontes 125u1?!? Best regards from Switzerland
@@Nicola_aaa hi the u is basically the same bike but with road tyres..... the u1 has semi knobbly tyres if you wanted to do a little bit off road ...I would say the u1 is the better choice ... thanks Mark
Now thats more like it! I have owned 3 sinnis motorbikes, apache, blade and terrain.. and never again!! Very poorly made and underpowerd.. but that one looks great!. Defo making me consider chinnese bikes again..
