We won’t lie, these pages have seen a lot of news heralding from Chinese-sourced manufacturers (some positive, some less so…) and it has whipped up a bit some divisive feedback on our social media channels.
But there is good reason for it because, like it or not, there is a wave of new machinery heading this way very soon… and they will turn heads for the right reasons.
Indeed, while there have certainly been some unkind words expressed about models emerging that have, put bluntly, simply ripped from existing models from Europe or Japan, there are a growing number of firms forging their own path and delivering some rather convincing arguments that China will be reckoned force on this side of the world before long.
We’ve spoken at some length about CFMoto, which is preparing to bring its new CL-X 700 line and MT-800 adventurer to our shores, while the likes of Lexmoto and Sinnis are soaking up some impressive sales in the lower displacement classes.
Now we turn our attention to Zontes, another brand with a growing profile in Europe thanks to its broad 310cc range of roadsters, adventure and sports machines, which have found their niche majoring on modern styling and great value pricing.
However, it is now ready to take a step - or two - up the CC bracket with confirmation it is preparing a whole new range of models. Excitingly it will do so by following the less-treaded path of a three-cylinder architecture.
Few manufacturers deviate away from the ‘evens’ of cylinder configuration - two and four - but there are of course examples from Triumph, Yamaha and MV Agusta. Even so, only Triumph pursues this across the majority of its range and it is the British firm Zonte is seemingly drawing inspiration from.
We have previously written about Zontes triple-cylinder plan - way back in March 2020 - and even presented an artists’ impression of what looks like a Yamaha MT-09 and Triumph Street Triple rival bearing something in the region of 800cc.
However, there is talk there will be both a 600cc version to rival the Triumph Trident 660 and then a mammoth 1000cc unit that could be setting it sights at the Triumph Speed Triple RS if it remains naked, or maybe a faired version to rival the next generation MV Agusta F3.
Development moves (very) quickly in China, expect to see something more concrete - well, metal - in the near future...
