Zontes 350R evaluate: engine, options, design, driving expertise

The 350R is Zontes’ entrant within the sub-400cc bare streetfighter class and whether or not you like it or hate it, there’s no escaping its placing design. The sharp, jagged panels on the entrance lend it a muscular aesthetic which culminates right into a neat (if small) tail part. The futuristic design can also be bolstered by the suite of options like absolutely keyless performance, display screen mirroring for the TFT show and a tire-pressure monitoring system as normal.  

Zontes 350R: design and options

Strolling as much as the 350R redefines your preconceived notions about what edgy design language is. There’s not a single panel that doesn’t culminate in a pointy angle or crease and it’s positive to show heads, even in its extra muted color choices. The design of the tail lamp is among the finest in current reminiscence and even the rear hugger-mounted quantity plate appears fairly premium. 

By way of digital options, Zontes has thrown the kitchen sink at it, equipping it with nearly every part accessible available on the market as we speak. For starters, it will get absolutely keyless performance, a crisp TFT show with 4 modes that alter the way in which data is introduced to the rider, display screen mirroring and a tire strain monitor. All of those options are seen on bikes with a lot increased asking costs and it is actually commendable {that a} sub-400cc bike comes loaded with them. Nevertheless, digital options can solely take you thus far and in the case of the precise trip, the Zontes 350R leaves rather a lot to be desired. 

Zontes 350R: trip and dealing with 

Given its diminutive measurement, you’d be forgiven for pondering that the 350R is way lighter than its 180kg kerb weight would counsel. Lifting it off the stand instantly tells you that this isn’t a light-weight machine; au contraire, the truth is. Whereas the rider’s seat is well-padded and the general rider triangle is spot on, the footpegs are inclined to foul along with your shin whenever you put your toes down (one thing that we seen on the 350T ADV as properly). 

Floor clearance is a matter, particularly over our roads.

The place issues worsen is on the prospect of carrying a pillion. The rear seat is unreasonably exhausting and doesn’t have sufficient area to comfortably accommodate a pillion. On the off probability that you simply handle to persuade somebody to get onto the tiny perch, the bottom clearance is one thing to be cautious of. The tender suspension plus 152mm of floor clearance proves insufficient to deal with something apart from the smallest of undulations when you’ve got the load of a pillion on board.

Braking efficiency leaves rather a lot to be desired.

Given the truth that almost all its underpinnings are shared with the 350T ADV, besides the suspension, 17-inch tyres and the smaller 15-litre gas tank, the 350R feels acquainted. The identical buzzy engine, tender suspension and overly intrusive ABS are additional highlighted on the street the place the 350R will doubtlessly spend just about all of its time. Something over 90kph will create harsh vibrations in any respect contact factors and also you wouldn’t wish to cross that threshold anyhow, given how poor the braking set-up feels. Within the brief whereas that we had with the bike, the entrance brake lever nearly touched the grip and the ABS intervened far too early, dramatically rising the time and distance it took to come back to a useless cease.

One other peculiarity is the truth that when the radiator fan kicks in, the tank begins buzzing uncomfortably. The design of the radiator itself is kind of uncommon, with two differently-sized sections on both facet of the primary body.  

Zontes 350R: must you purchase it?

Of all of the Zontes bikes, the 350R is the one which I used to be anticipating to really feel most at residence on. Whereas the bike is fairly snug and has some very engaging options, on the entire it leaves me wanting for extra in nearly all areas. Whether or not the edgy and feature-packed 350R captures the creativeness of the market, particularly with so many confirmed merchandise accessible at this value level, is one thing solely time will inform.