Zongshen, one of China’s biggest engine producers, has made huge leaps in recent years. First came the single-cylinder CSC RX3 adventure bike, which has been well received internationally, and for 2018 it has added a larger 450cc RX4 single and a twin-cylinder 378cc RX3S.

The same 378cc parallel twin fitted to the RX3S, which produces 27kW, powers the new retro bike (internally called the ZS400GS).

The steel trellis frame also looks similar to that of the adventure bike.

While the frame appears to carry over the same swingarm and fork, the mechanical package is wrapped in a completely different look.

There’s more than a hint of Ducati Monster to the shape, with perhaps a dash of Triumph Street Triple in the rear end, but the overall effect is an attractive machine.

Alloy wheels replace the RX3S’s wire units, with 17-inch rims at both ends. Weight, often the bugbear of Chinese-manufactured bikes, isn’t too bad at around 190kg wet.

Since the new bike has yet to be officially unveiled, it could be some time before production starts, but it appears to mark another step in the right direction for the Chinese bike industry. 

By Ben Purvis