Zontes 350X

The Zontes 350X is a sports tourer in the 350cc segment and is essentially the same bike as the Zontes 350R with a fairing and raised handlebar. So, how is it like to ride in the real world and should you opt for it if you are in the market for such a bike?

The Zontes 350X gets a sharp yet muscular design language that gives it quite a unique look compared to other motorcycles in the market. Due to the muscular front-end with the fairing and the sleek rear-end, it has a commanding presence on the road. And the unique alloy wheel design along with the sleek rear-end complement the overall design quite well. 

The sports cruiser is powered by the same 348cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 39PS and 32Nm found in the Zontes 350R. When we tested the 350R, we found the engine to be quite rough and lacking in refinement. Also, even though the power and torque figures are quite impressive on paper, it didn’t translate to good real world performance as the engine would feel strained when pushed beyond 4,000rpm. 

The soft suspension setup of the 350X, like the Zontes 350R, should offer a comfortable ride in the city. But it doesn’t offer much confidence when tackling corners at high speeds or mountain twisties. Even at high straight line speeds, the bike doesn’t feel that planted to offer you a sporty riding experience. 

The seat height of 795mm makes the bike quite accessible for riders of all heights. But due to the low 152mm ground clearance, you’ll really have to be careful when going over speedbumps and bad patches of road. Also, like the Zontes 350R, the inverted fork could bottom out whenever it encounters potholes and speed bumps. 

The Zontes 350X comes loaded with features as it gets a TFT instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity and a keyless control system that lets you unlock and start the bike with the press of a button and open the seat and fuel tank with buttons on the handlebar. It also gets a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, ride modes and full-LED lighting. 

The Zontes 350X gets quite an appealing design and an extensive list of features. But other than that, due to the unrefined engine, soft suspension setup and the comfort issues mentioned above, you’re better off opting for other 350-400cc motorcycles in the market that offer a far better value for money proposition.