Zontes 703f imo.

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Dodgy69
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Zontes 703f imo.

Post by Dodgy69 »

Thought I'd have a ride to South Shropshire motorcycles in Ludlow today, to test the Zontes. Tbh, I like it's looks but that was about it.

It's keyless but I suppose you get used to that, but the bike had 3 big problems which I reported back.

1 - the wind noise off the screen at anymore than 50 was horrendous, never heard noise like it. It was on lowest setting so no way of getting wind on your chest.

2 - your left index finger keeps hitting the highbeam switch, bad design, too long.

3 - fan comes on soon as you stop in traffic and you can feel heat. Soon as you get moving it goes off, noisy aswel.

Other issues that you might get used to are, too many switches for your left thumb and close together. QS up wasn't very smooth, no down, cable throttle. Bike felt ok lifting off the side stand, engine didn't seem very lively but its limited to 7k on run in so probably more fun high-up.

Has z very handy storage compartment on left to match up with exhaust, oh yeah, sounded very nice. Its around 7k brand new, would i have one....definitely not. 👎

Honestly the Benelli was streets ahead and that behind your Jap bikes. 🤷‍♂️

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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by KungFooBob »

Dodgy69 wrote: Thu Nov 06, 2025 4:17 pm I like it's looks but that was about it.
Should have gone to Specsavers.
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by Dodgy69 »

KungFooBob wrote: Thu Nov 06, 2025 4:27 pm
Dodgy69 wrote: Thu Nov 06, 2025 4:17 pm I like it's looks but that was about it.
Should have gone to Specsavers.
I'm hearing that more and more these days. 🤓👍
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by tricol »

I mean, I'm easily pleased when it comes to bike design as I can appreciate most things, but that's a tough one to like.
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by ..... »

Love the Heatshield around the osr indicator
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by weeksy »

I'm surprised you expected anything else. It's cheap shit made to a budget, funnily enough it makes me laugh you babble on about immigration and then look at buying the most ridiculously Chinese type shit on the market :D :D

But seriously, what else were you expecting ? The world is making stuff to a budget now for many many people. People want super high quality but won't pay high quality prices.

You shop in Lidl, you don't get Waitrose quality :D
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by Dodgy69 »

Well I'm not sure about your last line. Chinese bikes have come on a long way. This Zontes afaik is their first move to big bike so it may take a while yet.

Think Voge and Benelli are ahead of Zontes in this department. You have to weigh up how much more cash is a top bike worth. If you want a cheapish bike that will do the same job as an expensive bike, ( if a little rough at the edges ) you buy these bike. You will definitely start seeing more on our roads. If nothing else, it's putting pressure on the big boys to keep prices down.
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by weeksy »

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Nov 07, 2025 12:59 pm If nothing else, it's putting pressure on the big boys to keep prices down.
I'm not sure it is/does. If a Kia gets sold cheaply that doesn't affect the price of a Tesla. People with more money will be superior quality goods unless they think the cheaper goods will do the exact same job, you see that from iPhones to toasters, to cars and everything else.

A higher quality bike with all the toys on it will demand more money than a Chinese built thing.
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by Dodgy69 »

Well honda are selling some cheaper bikes, competition is always a good thing.

Would you buy a Voge 300 or a crf 300. ??
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by weeksy »

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Nov 07, 2025 1:07 pm Well honda are selling some cheaper bikes, competition is always a good thing.

Would you buy a Voge 300 or a crf 300. ??
no :)
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by Dodgy69 »

Tbf, I wasn't thinking of buying one, I've got more spare time now and taking demo bikes out gives me my own view of a bike and not somebody else's. Having said that, when I have my next bike change I wouldn't be surprised if it was Chinese.

The MT won't be turning Chinese, that bikes safe, 🙂👍 can do road and track very happily, and it's got up n down QS which is great on track. I like it and had it from new.

The GS is a little more worried ☹👎. Doesn't get used much just trips which are few and far.

The Benelli is safe for now 😮. It's the fun bike that gets out the most, but it's place in the garage is the place that changes the most. It is a little rough at the edges but definitely doesn't deter from the enjoyment it gives me. Folk comment on it positively, don't really careless anyway 🤷🏻‍♂️, you can rag it around using all it's engine and that definitely makes for fun. Definitely comes alive high up. Very comfortable, sat high with good views, but it can make you ride like a twat.

It'll probably be out tomorrow. 👍
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by weeksy »

What happened to the RE ?
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Re: Zontes 703f imo.

Post by Dodgy69 »

Swapped for Benelli, fancied something more sat up and a bit more go. 47 >76 hp. Great bike though and nothing wrong with it. I would say the RE is probably better put together than the Benelli, regarding switches and stuff. It held that No3 spot in the garage, where the Benelli is now. 😁
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