Fast back roads on a Chinese Zontes ZT350-T

In this episode of my year-long test of the Chinese-made Zontes ZT350-T motorcycle, we look at what it's like to ride.
Despite having problems that led to an error code and warrant work, the light weight and easy handling can make this a great bike to ride on back-roads. It shouldn't be a surprise that this Chinese machine is pretty rubbish on motorways, but after nearly 3,000 miles - with many more to come - I'm surprised at just how good it actually is. But is it £4,000 well spent?
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:14 Back roads on the Zontes
04:01 Wet weather riding
05:14 ZT350-T screen
06:26 Handling & suspension on a Chinese bike
09:13 Are the brakes any good?
10:02 Long distance on the Zontes
11:40 Is it a comfortable bike?
12:19 ZT350-T luggage capacity
17:02 Annoying things about this Chinese motorcycle
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[@bennettsbikesocial]

FOR A FREE 30 DAY TRIAL OF CALIMOTO, go to calimoto.app.link/bikesocial and use the code bikesocial30 FOR 10% OFF CALIMOTO, go to calimoto.app.link/bikesocial and use the code bikesocial10

[@Banditmanuk]

We love our Shad luggage so far. We really appreciate you pointing us in the direction of Jos from Shad. Thanks for the little shout out for our tiny channel. Nice to occasionally get a scoop! Ours are being tested in the Pyrenees soon

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Fantastic! Have a great time! Cheers, John

[@barryrose4850]

Music matches the bike I’m sure this is no coincidence. Great video as usual

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Cheers! John

[@PDCRed]

Loving Calimoto. Takes me on so many twisty roads with no traffic at all. It's a revelation. I'm surprised how many routes are so quiet. Only thing I've noticed though, and this is not the fault of Calimoto, here in the UK I hardly ever pass a petrol station using the app so I often have to detour.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah - I've noticed that. Nothing beats the progress bar that TomTom does, showing upcoming fuel stations on the route. Cheers, John

[@drdoolittle5724]

I've paid a premium of £1500 for a Honda ADV 350 and over the last 1500 miles in 6 days achieved 83 mpg and up to 83 mph by coincidence! A dealer for a p/x last week offered me £500 less than I paid and the bike is totally perfect in every way, you are doing us all a public service Sir whilst I smugly am not concerned about anything! Have been riding Honda now for 60 years and truthfully cannot remember anything ever going wrong with the 2-cylinder 125 Benly, apart from the rider!

[@screaching-Chris]

Hiya, fab to see a long term review as I have one of these , yes I know the quality isn’t there but love riding it such a laugh , great handling , you must be really heavy handed to get that fuel consumption my last fill up worked out at 88mpg with a 400 mile range , but then I have put a bigger sprocket on the front helps out with dropping the revs at motorway speeds , also done the earth fix you pointed out , keep up the good work

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Blimey, that's great economy! Had you already found that earth wire, or after the video? Cheers, John

[@screaching-Chris]

@@bennettsbikesocial done the earth wire thanks to your video

[@allanmason7544]

looking forward to the next vids

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Cheers, John

[@johnrocker2986]

Owned both bikes CB500X and Zontes T350 only time the Honda wins is motorway use, my worst mpg with Zontes was 65 mpg best 80 mpg. Best mod on Zontes was 20mm increase on rear preload, suddenly the bike came alive on back roads easily out handling the Honda, try it!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks - I'll give that a go! Cheers, John

[@NickyLong89]

No experience of this particular bike but I rode the Honda Transalp and then I rode the CF Moto 800MT, collected my CF Moto today. I’d buy the 800MT if they were the same price but actually it’s a lot cheaper and it’s got so much more tech, including 3 piece luggage thrown in… for £9200. Very pleased with my purchase 👍🏻

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Please do join our Facebook group to share some pics! Cheers, John

[@dreamcrusher112]

Lucky, I was told today there are no more 800mt in the country, and no ETA on the next batch! I am tempted by the 3.9 APR on the NK.

[@JedNoble]

I have this bike in black, It replaced a Triumph Tiger. This is used mainly as a commuter bike. I really love this thing. Its light, fun, fast enough, has enough gadgets. I have so far had no issues other than the key fob constantly draining the fob battery. But in general its just such an easy bike to ride and I love it. I have Shad gear on it, plus crash bar bags for locks and a cover. The new 703F should be a really decent bike.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! If you can join the Facebook group and share some pics that'd be awesome! Cheers, John

[@ALHEALY9110]

Can’t wait for the Spain Trip🇪🇸

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Cheers! Though am starting to worry about the heat...

[@stevedavies1226]

Thank you for another in-depth section on this bike. I’m still of the opinion that a Chinese made bike isn’t for me however I’m enjoying your thoughts on it. I’m guessing on reserve you’ll get between 28-32 miles but no doubt I’ll be wildly wrong

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Cheers! Who knows with this gauge... Let's find out! Cheers, John

[@paulnicholson6403]

A proper comment for you this time. On a review of I think it was a KTM or another bike (don't shoot me if I've got the marque wrong) in a comparison video, they were made or assembled in China, so if a major marque is prepared to have their bikes built in China, it would stand to reason they would make their own version of a similar bike.

[@EndritBs]

I had the ZT125U model last year.Brand new.Amazing bike.20k and still going,but it seems Chinese are good at 125 cc level,more cc definetly Japanessw are the pro.

[@warrenr4]

57mpg from a 350 bike isn’t great. I get way more than that from my CB500X as well as 8000 mile service intervals and absolutely zero problems. I think you’re being very kind about this bike. I get it. The Chinese bike enthusiasts are very touchy about any criticism. You still got a 👍🏻 from me despite the fact this bike should be in a crusher.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Cheers! Just trying to be balanced, and the cost of ownership might be a very different video. If you haven't seen the previous ones, try those too. Cheers, John

[@philbarrett3739]

I can't believe I'm reading a comment on a bike channel about mpg. Nobody chooses a bike based on fuel consumption .

[@bobritter7197]

​@philbarrett3739 you sure about that?

[@davidmatthews3093]

@@philbarrett3739Having owned a 500X I will always put fuel consumption high up on my list of wants. If you can have a bike that does everything that you want and need that always averages between 80 and 100 mpg why would you want anything else? A range of over 300 miles is a huge bonus and the money that I save on fuel allows me a lot of luxuries. You have your priorities but please don’t pretend that you’re talking for all of us!

[@warrenr4]

@@philbarrett3739 Agreed, if all you ever do is blats out and a one or two week tour. I’m currently on a three month tour around Europe. I did the same last year, 13,000 miles in total. Apart from the obvious savings, the extra tank range is very useful when you’re somewhere remote, ie Lapland. It’s also useful having an uber reliable bike, which it was.

[@freedomofmotion]

Same mpg as the f650 gs I had ( the confusing 798cc model) i mean if i rode it sensibly that is. I think i had it at 35mpg most days

[@RocketMan_Moto]

You’re riding down to southern Spain in August? You know temperatures rarely drop below 35-36 down here then? Most of us who live here take a riding break mid July to the end of August because of the heat. Enjoy anyway😬

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah, I'll be in mesh gear, but it could have been a bad idea! My wife and daughter are there though that week, so I want to meet them... Cheers, John

[@FatherOBlivion]

95/96F is totally fine for riding. Assuming humidity isn't really high as well. Just wear summer riding gear and drink plenty of water.

[@bikersquest]

I don't think the shad boxes are too premium for the bike, sure the price ratio to the bike is a bit close but they look like they work great on it. I was considering getting a set of those for my Inazuma 250 for the same convenience of parking up and locking helmets etc

[@kocopavlovski8334]

Hi.Does this engine vibrate and at what rpm does it start to feel the knocks.How does it compare to other premium brand single cylinder engines.Let's say a triumph 400 scrambler?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

It vibrates as you'd expect of a single really - I wouldn't say it reaches a specific peak. And sorry, but I haven't ridden the 400 Scrambler. Cheers, John

[@alainmichaud6747]

I have a shad bag for my can-am ryker they do lots of luggages for Rykers and spyder for can-am on the ryker the gax tank is made so funny that it does exactly what you described, most of the user dont use the gaz gage they know its around 200 km per tank, some mfg dont test their gage.

[@paulnicholson6403]

I'm curious about the large box and triangle. It looks a bit like a trucks under bed toolbox, I wonder if it's full of tools. I can understand how something like that can drop off a vehicle, bounce off the road, over the bridge sides and into the water. What always amazes me, is when you find things like phone box telephone units and safes etc. I always wonder who thinks up a reason to decide it's worth all the effort it must take to take something like a safe or large section of a call box and dump it in the river.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Sorry, I don't get what you mean

[@paulnicholson6403]

Sorry about that, I was watching a completely different channel and was writing a comment / for them but it seems that it moved on to you as being next in the queue on my subscription list and by the time I'd pressed the send button it must have moved on to your video and put the comments in to your comment section instead. I wondered why it failed to show up where I had intended and didn't think there was anything in it to have been barred, now I know. Really sorry for the confusion and wasting your time. Regardless, I do enjoy your content and slowly working my way back to your older videos as I only found your channel a few weeks ago.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

No worries! Cheers, John

[@teneretraveller8980]

They're coming. Ignore the Chinese bikes at your peril. This doesn't do it for me, but like everyone else I'm itching to try the new mt450 from cf. Interesting to watch this bike, though. I'm curious, do your own bikes use as much fuel as your test bikes? Good watch. Ride safe 👍

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah - I'm just a bit heavy on the acceleration, but I wouldn't treat this differently to something I own.

[@mojothejester9889]

The engine stalling when clutch in also happens on my 2012 Multistrada 1200 occasionally. Annoying

[@s.venkateswarpatnaik2484]

Excellent review.China is Manufacturing most stylish trendy motorcycles in the world.Raw Materials quality is an concern behind the sucess of Any Motorcycle.China motorcycles are occupying several markets and became better than Japan motorcycles(Automobile News Reports).

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I'm not sure about most stylish, but things are certainly advancing

[@trixeylh]

I don't think Ducati, Aprilia, BMW, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and others have anything to worry about as this thing looks about as stylish as my grandmother's hat, but each to their own.

[@s.venkateswarpatnaik2484]

@@trixeylh you're right.Hats off to Chinese motorcycles Manufacturing Companies

[@johna6968]

Pretty sure leisurely rides net me 80mpg on a 650cc adventure.

[@GeordiLaForgery]

I commendable how fast China advancing but the way US just put big taxes on chinese cars it's a bit concerning.

[@firestorm755]

A year already?!!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Nah, the review is taking a year in total. I started in January. Cheers, John

[@VStrom2019]

I get 57mpg from my 1050XT V Strom

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah, I think I need to try to be more efficient! Cheers, John

[@martinhughes9769]

Sx 1000 kawasaki riding country roads mountain lanes in Wales returns an average of 54 MPG , The little Chinese bike isn't so good .

[@Sirsethtaggart3505]

If you really want to test it, store it for 6 months, then try and get it running again.... unfortunately that's my experience of several Chinese bikes.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Did you find out what the problem was?

[@Sirsethtaggart3505]

@@bennettsbikesocial not even the garage could figure it out. Real shame as both bikes were lovely when they were running.

[@andyc750]

@@Sirsethtaggart3505 need a better garage then as they obviously lack knowledge and common sense

[@6arethevan5]

Finbarr Saunders fnar fnar 😂😂😂

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I wondered when anyone would notice... Nice one!

[@6arethevan5]

Oh and a great vid too, thanks for sharing 🙂👍🏻

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@6arethevan5 Thanks for watching! Cheers, John

[@motojojo_]

Yay! First non bot comment!

[@BN1960]

I can't, in all consciousness, buy a Chinese bike or a Chinese assembled bike if I can avoid it. It is a vile government and buying such a bike supports them through tax contributions. Yes Chinese made stuff is everywhere, I understand that but when it's obvious, like this is, I stand by my decision.

[@nicksokolis6343]

Same here.I actively look for stuff made elsewhere where it can be avoided. I have no issue with Taiwanese products but won't give money to the CCP unless it's completely unavoidable.

[@andyc750]

get off the net then as what you are accessing from is full of Chinese made components if not completely made there and your vehicles if relatively modern then they are also full of Chinese components

[@davidmatthews3093]

Since when has a 310GS had snob value? It’s a pretty middling bike made in India? Do you set your standards that low?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I said "brand snobbery"

[@davidmatthews3093]

Why are you testing a 350 on motorways? That’s simply unrealistic. Use it on the roads where it belongs.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I'm using it for everything, and sometimes I have to use the main roads, like when I've got to get to Merseyside for a meeting.

[@zelicanth1927]

There are likely hundreds of thousands of people that have ridden or ride smaller capacity bikes on motorways, because people use what they can afford.

[@terrybrooks7140]

I get between 51 and 67mpg out of my 950 multistrada. If i was stupid enough to buy a Chinese bike it certainly wouldn't be that one it's bloody ugly. CF moto is probably the best bike out of china but even they are no match for Japanese quality and residuals will and have proved that. Ps i uninstalled calimoto when it first came out it was brilliant then they did an upgrade and ruined it .

[@kevinpotts-to5nm]

could do without the annoying pointless chinese music every few minutes 🥵🥵🥵

[@FatherOBlivion]

I like it. It's creative and works with the theme of the series. 🐉🏍

[@gypsyemperor7535]

Literally racist music

[@FatherOBlivion]

@@gypsyemperor7535 How so?

[@GeorgiaGrowGuy]

Don't buy chinese rip-off bikes and dont follow channels that promote them. See ya

[@MH-xd2nd]

Don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out 😂

[@davidmatthews3093]

Your loss.

[@paulduhig7131]

Bye bye 😂

[@andyc750]

! it is not a rip off of anything, it is all their own work and better made than most, and 2 nobody cares what you think or do