ZONTES in Chinese might mean eloquence, gentlemanly or even a unit of measurement for agricultural products.
Whatever it is meant to be, Guangdong Tayo Motorcycle Technology Co Ltd is certainly going places with the motorcycle products that carry this name.
Our recent visit to Jiangmeng, near Guangzhou, was to review two products that Tayo is apparently focusing on for its global markets – 368 Scooter and 703 Adventure motorcycle.
The 368G scooter is a bigger displacement model over the ZT350 Scooter range that Zontes distributor Eurotech Wheel Distribution Sdn Bhd has made available in Malaysia since 2019.
Having not ridden a motorcycle for some 30 years now, our perception of the scooter goes back to the iconic Vespa of the 1970s and 1980s.
The Zontes 368G scooter is a bigger displacement model over the ZT350 Scooter range.
While the styling concept is somewhat similar, the 368G scooter is a modern marvel with adjustable wind screen, three Type-C charging ports, electric starter, light emitting diodes (LED) headlamps and tail lamps, front ABS (anti-lock brake system) and a 52-litre underseat tray that could accommodate two full-face helmets.
The high-tech 368G that we reviewed was the premium model with an eight-inch TFT independent chip instrument panel and Zontes intelligent App.
With the last item, you could start the Scooter with your handphone carrying that App; there is a key too but once you start it with the key, you have to switch it off with a key too.
By the way, a Traction Control System also comes standard; it has inverted shock absorbers front and rear, 17-inch spoked alloy front wheel and 14-inch rear alloy wheel, and 180mm ground clearance.
Different models have different ground clearance (130-150mm for the other models) and ride heights; the 368G has the highest ride height because of the higher ground clearance.
For power, it has a single cylinder high performance water-cooled 368cc engine that delivers 38hp (28.5kW) and 40Nm torque.
The transmission is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with "three gears" and you just accelerate and go.
The Zontes 368G scooter is a bigger displacement model over the ZT350 Scooter range.
We went for a couple of "laps" on a "circuit" in front of the Zontes factory in Jiangmen and found the ride exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
Exhilarating in the sense that we were reliving our much younger days although we didn’t lean the 368G Scooter much into a corner as we would in earlier times.
Terrifying in that everything was new to us; the start and engine kill controls, the handle levers for braking and the fear of falling while taking corners were all too real.
Nevertheless, the 368G Scooter should find strong appeal among motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy some carefree cruising.
The Zontes 703 F is apparently Tayo’s first go at making a high engine displacement adventure tourer motorcycle.
The Zontes 703 F is apparently Tayo’s first go at making a high engine displacement adventure tourer motorcycle.
There is also a low-slung sports model too – 703 RR – that boasts of an all-aluminium alloy frame weighing about 14.5kg and aluminium swing arms.
It has a three-cylinder fuel injected double overhead camshaft four stroke engine displacing 699cc that delivers more than 97hp (71kW) at 10,000rpm and 76Nm at 7,600rpm.
There is a balancer shaft to reduce engine vibrations that are common to three-cylinder power units (like the one in our Perodua Kenari years ago).
The sporty 703 RR has an engine with power tuning and delivers more at 110hp (81kW) but a slightly lower torque of 75Nm.
The front fairing of the 703 RR has an air inlet where the headlamp is usually located to allow a more efficient airflow and aerodynamics.
The 703 F is said to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 3.28 seconds and a top speed of 218kph (but 201kph with three side boxes attached).
It has a six-speed gearbox and you could choose either Eco or Sport mode to suit your riding preference.
The front wheels are 21-inch alloys and the rear 18-inch; Michelin tyres are fitted as standard.
It comes with Marzocchi shock absorbers in front and a Marzocchi monotube absorber at the rear.
The Zontes 703 F is apparently Tayo’s first go at making a high engine displacement adventure tourer motorcycle.
The 703 comes with dual-channel ABS front brake system and the TCS (traction control system) is standard.
Other standard fare are the auto LED headlamps, daytime running lights, Zontes smart App, dual USB fast charging ports, front and rear dual-recording riding decoder, electric windshield, electronic fuel tank and seat locks, among others.
On seeing another media taking to the Zontes "circuit" with the 703 RR and scraping the foot rest on the tarmac reminded us of our younger days as we loved scraping our main stand when taking corners.
Although we were tempted to take a ride on the Zontes "circuit", we decided against it as we had to use the clutch to engage the gears, something that we have not frequently engage in, either cars or motorcycles.
Generally, the media consensus after riding the 703 F and 703 RR was mostly in awe of what the Adventure tourer could do in breath-taking acceleration and leaning dynamics.
A low-slung sports model – Zontes 703 RR – boasts an all-aluminium alloy frame weighing about 14.5kg and aluminium swing arms.
A low-slung sports model – Zontes 703 RR – boasts an all-aluminium alloy frame weighing about 14.5kg and aluminium swing arms.
