Zontes 310 X, ROAD TEST of the most touring of the brand

Cheap motorbikes often hide advantages and quality behind their modest price. With this test we have highlighted everything that an affordable entry level vehicle, like the Zontes 310 is able to offer to beginners and beyond. The Chinese brand, present on the market since 2003, has officially launched in Europe with four young and enterprising motorcycle models, all generated from the same base: the X, more touristy, the T born for dirt roads, the naked R , cruiser V.

Aesthetics

La Zontes 310, available in red, white and black, is the most touristy of the family: the sharp lines of the fairings give it a sporty tone, the high handlebars and the upright fairing make it appear slim and bold. The design and components are, overall, highly sought after, in fact the Chinese single-cylinder, produced entirely by Zonts, boasts unique details for a motorbike of this range. The fairings house the indicators and full LED lights in the front part, the front position lights are very pleasing to the eye and give an angry tone to the little girl's face 310 X. On the rear side, however, the direction indicators are not integrated but still blend well with the sharp lines of the headlight. Overall, the lighting system gives charm to the bike and guarantees good visibility even at night.
The large screen LCD backlit, it is adjustable in intensity and through two convenient buttons on the lower edge it is possible to comfortably manage all the information necessary for driving: gear indicator, average consumption per 100 km, autonomy, odometer and of course speedometer and rev counter. The handlebar controls are complete and intuitive, backlit in red and partly made from the aluminum of the brake and clutch supports. On the left, in addition to the essential controls (turn signals, horn and light selector), we find the electric windscreen adjustment button and the tank opening control. On the right control block there is a red button which turns on the ignition for starting and blocks it for parking. There Zontes 310 in fact it is keyless, an appreciated and very well-functioning solution, which makes the motorbike even easier and more user friendly.

cycling

The most tourist of the range is accessible to all: it weighs only 159 kg in running order and the seat height from the ground is 795 mm. At the front the Zontes 310 it has a decent hydraulic upside-down fork, the suspension department is completed by a nitrogen monoshock which supports the bike excellently both on journeys and in the city. There 310 X is equipped with circles 17-inch aluminum alloy which gives it lightness and an attractive design. At the front we find a 110/70 while the rear is served by a generous 160/60/17" tire which guarantees good reliability. The braking system is fully branded Zonts. The 300 mm front disc is coupled to a two-piston axial caliper while at the rear the disc measures 240 mm and the caliper is a single piston. The effectiveness of braking is guaranteed by the system ABS Bosch 9.1M, precise in any situation.

Motor

The cheerful 4cc DOHC 312-valve single cylinder, which delivers 35 hp at 9500 rpm (30 nm of torque at 7500 rpm) is capable of pushing the Zontes 310 up to a declared maximum speed of 150 km/h although in extra-urban travel the cruising speed can easily be maintained at around 100 km/h where vibrations and noise are still pleasantly bearable. The parent company attributes the secret of an easy and fun engine, but also one that pays attention to consumption, to the high compression ratio (12,5:1) and careful construction technology. In fact, the engine can be modulated into two different modes riding mode"Eco” to limit the excessive use of fuel over long distances and “Sport” to exploit maximum power on the most fun stretches of road.
The exhausts are reminiscent of two Italian thoroughbred wheels, the refined design and the high silencers, on the side of the tail, give a racing look to the 310 times, the collectors have been studied in terms of efficiency as well as shapes: under the bodywork, there is a catalyst which contributes to making the Zontes euro 4. At idle the single-cylinder engine is slightly annoying while the sound becomes more full-bodied at medium-high rpm.

Road test

Fun and simplicity are the key words of the test of this one Zontes 310 In the saddle you enjoy a comfortable and relaxed position, even if you might not like the handlebar, which is slightly higher than the category standard. The simplicity of driving the small Chinese car is favored by the shape of the tank (15 litres) which, slender and enveloping, allows it to be comfortably held between the legs, thus giving the rider a lot of confidence. On long journeys, however, the shape of the cover between the tank and the saddle could be slightly annoying. The passenger seat it is well designed: appealing to the eye and comfortable even for longer journeys. Overall the saddle is well made and the seat is comfortable. The enginefluid and modular, it allows you to drive the small Zontes with ease, giving free rein to the fun and pleasure of driving. The geometries of the single-cylinder make it always ready to start revving again, allowing more flexibility in the use of the gearbox. The suspension department, despite the few adjustments, is well balanced, absorbs most of the bumps with dignity and gives good support when driving. 310 times in a slightly more sporty way. By forcing the hand a little, however, it is the front braking system that is in crisis: despite its modest weight, the single-cylinder is limited in more "sporty" braking and in emergency braking in the city, a larger disc would be much appreciated .
The motorbike proves to be comfortable even on extra-urban journeys: the upright posture does not tire and the front windscreen completely protects from the air without creating unpleasant turbulence. The presence of the plexi gives comfort and visibility remains good for both positions. Those who are more attentive to aesthetics will certainly appreciate the windshield position control: with a simple touch it is possible to have aerodynamic protection in extra-urban driving and an aggressive look at low speeds, with an automatic movement of the plexi. Together with the windscreen button, all the controls are well made and very useful, the absence of the indicator reset button is slightly inconvenient, especially in city driving.

Finished testing this one Zonts one cannot help but feel satisfied: the 310 times it certainly pays for the little prestige of the new brand but if, putting aside prejudices, you trust it, it is able to surprise with its youthful look and cutting-edge components. The price modest of 4990 € fc and the displacement also accessible to A2 license holders makes it a more than decent first motorbike for today's young new drivers: it is ideal for those who have to move around the city every day but at the weekend like to take short trips out of town to discover new landscapes and new emotions.