Export sales of high-spec Zontes 703F adventure bike to follow China release.
It’s been a long time coming but Zontes has released the first of its three-cylinder models in the 703F adventure bike. Just on sale now in China for $A9500, it will be released globally.
The culmination of a years-long development which hopes to leapfrog parallel-twin rivals, the 703F features a 699cc triple with a 70mm bore and 60.6mm stroke allied to a 13:1 compression ratio for a peak of 71.5kW (96hp) at 10,000rpm and 76Nm at 7500rpm. The engine uses a 120-degree crankshaft and a balancer shaft. Like Yamaha’s MT-09 triple, the cylinders are cast as one piece with the upper crankcase.
The engine sits in a cast aluminium twin-spar frame with fully-adjustable Marzocchi suspension front and rear, plus 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire wheels. Zontes has opted for name-brand components where possible, including J.Juan brakes and Michelin tyres.
Although the bike was shown last year at EICMA, now we know far more detail, including the 22-litre fuel capacity and a claimed wet weight of 228kg. At 845mm the seat isn’t unreasonably high and the wheelbase clocks in at 1565mm.
Like many modern Chinese bikes, the equipment level is far higher than most western or Japanese rivals.
Standard parts include keyless ignition with electronic fuel tank and seat locks, electric screen adjustment and heated grips, tyre pressure monitors, automatic headlights and cornering lights, and ripple-effect LED turn signals. There’s traction control and rear blind spot radar as standard, as well as a quickshifter, TFT dash and high-capacity USB A and USB C sockets. Deliveries are already underway in China.
While the price is sure to be higher than $A9500 for export versions of the bike, it’s still likely to undercut more established rivals while offering an unparalleled level of equipment for the money.
WORDS: BEN PURVIS