Zontes 350E - City Ride

[@Stefan_trekkie]

I had similar conversations with a lots of old timers bikers like me over the years. Usually we all agree that big expensive machine is intimidating for few reasons. Not in the scary to ride way but when you have machine like the GS, you feel obligated to properly ride it, to buy nice gear and helmet for it. To ride it not for work, but for pleasure and also it's expensive to ride, run and repair if something happens. With little to medium machine, you just don't care about this things. You ride it whenever or where every you like.. Or don't ride it all. That is the magic with little cute unintimidating machines. That is part of the reasons why I switched from 900cc sport bike in early 2000's to a 125 to 300 scooters but it took me 15 years to understand that.

[@ygeia_trws]

Much appreciated honest real world review Alex! Glad you took the time and effort to shoot that extra in the city traffic video!

[@RideWithAlex]

Thank you, I had to take it back to work so why not turn the camera on :D

[@gergobozsik1614]

Hello Alex! What a wonderful saturday because of your video!😊 For commuting useage this is much more wider than Donnie. I myself felt this when I changed from my PCX125 to the Xmax300. But after you get comfortable with this in your head, it is going to work flawlessly.😊 The selfie camera angle is a killer, like Zontes have already thought about preparing a little shader above the screen for your camera. I think you should keep this angle, it is really fun to see you not moving, just the handbars.😂 And that mirror holder is a masterpiece the way it is made. Thank you once again, have a nice weekend!😊

[@CristiBucerzan]

Wait for the Adx 300 test,before deciding.That one also has some offroad capabilities.

[@RideWithAlex]

That's the plan, I'll make a decision after I see the ADX 300

[@JoshConnectMedia]

Thanks Alex for the consistent motovlogging . I should be picking up on mine as well. But I think why the seat couldn't close easily at 0:52 was becos your men's purse strap was in the way of the door. resting on the edge. IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS TO ME AS WELL. 😂The new Zontes 368E ,368K 368m and the 368G are all out. Zontes is on another level

[@RideWithAlex]

It had plenty of space, when they are new all do the same very hard to close the seat, you have to be quite brutal with them, but on the other hand I've never seen a drop of water on the inside.

[@rickiejacobs5910]

Back in my younger days, in the seventies and eighties, the largest motorcycle I had was a 1972 Honda CB 500 Four. But had Kawasaki 400 and 440 cc bikes as well. Did muti state touring on them quite a bit. But also the US speed limit was 55 mph. I did get a 1981 Kawasaki 550 four in 1988 after the speed limit was raised to 65-70 mph. Road back and forth from Iowa to Oklahoma when dated my future wife. I have now a 2006 Suzuki Burgman 400 which is all I need for highway riding.

[@raduanghel5105]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one leaning towards the scooter instead of the big touring bike, even for long trips. But I force myself to use the big bike because that's what I got it for, and if I always choose the familiar option I'll never learn something new. Besides, the HD300 that I have isn't really made for long trips, highway speeds and unpaved roads. I tried and did not like how it handles in those situations. Yes, it gets the job done, but it struggles and it's not comfortable. Nevertheless, if I could only keep one of them, that would definitely be the scooter.

[@EndritBs]

This is the new Donny! Let see if this beast can beat record of SYM long distance,without breaking.SYM engines are potent!

[@RideWithAlex]

I think I'll sleep on it until the summer and then I'll make a decision, I can ride this test vehicle arround until the temporary registration expires so I can get my fix that way 😂😂

[@EndritBs]

@@RideWithAlex You seems to like Zontes Alex.I had one,very beautiful looking U125. I am buying a 200cc or 310cc version. But they say CFMotos are more proof engines. They are sold even US? What do you think?

[@RideWithAlex]

@@EndritBs I don't think zontes has entered the US market yet.

[@soumenchakraborty2450]

Big fuel tank, I love it.

[@joshbro99k96]

We have a similar setup: ST200 and a big adventure bike (africa twin). The only reason I'd want the big bike on a tour is for the thrill of 90mph+ hooning and overtaking. Otherwise I'd be happy with a decent 300/350 scooter for a longer trip. Guess it depends if you want a chilled tour or an exhilarating tour.

[@phildaniels1214]

At least the snow has gone..😃

[@RideWithAlex]

Yes 😁

[@luiscarlosarias2126]

cameras, yes Alex, cameras are a lifesaver, " for insurance purposes"

[@MarianChicu]

As a means of transport, the scooter is way better indeed. You have storage space, a screen, ass space, maybe heated elements.. This one you have is really interesting indeed. A similar bike would be a touring/adv bike.. which would probably be more expensive (with the same extras). I rode a friend's scooter (an ADX) from your work place to our home, and then around our area, and really loved his scooter through traffic. It was indeed "get up and go".. If I'd work from the office i'd probably buy a scooter the next day :D. But i'd have to say the bike would be more fun. As a weekend rider myself I'd rather have a bike for the twisties.. I work from home and probably that's why i see the bike as a fun tool, not a transportation tool, although I often go by bike at shopping, to my wife's despair/amusement.

[@RideWithAlex]

Yea, I think it depends how you work. I'm constantly out of the house so my first need is something utilitarian for the city, I still have the bmw as a weekend toy but the split in riding time between both is like 95% scooter 5% bmw :)))

[@rolacook222]

Having my coffee enjoying your Zontes ride into work, (a couple of months ago?), especially your comments about it! I was wondering how you felt about all it had to offer in the way of rider conveniences? Even though we do not have the Zontes in the US, I agree with you about the utility of a bike in the 200-400cc class being much more useful than larger vehicles. It appears the Zontes comes about as close as you could get to being a “do all” machine! Thumbs up on the ride. Rola (Oregon / USA)

[@RideWithAlex]

Check the later videos especially the one with the performance test, you will understand how much I like it 😁

[@rolacook222]

@@RideWithAlex I finished first ride👍🏻

[@farhadmasjediyan6320]

Sym or Zontes scooters which one is better overall?

[@RideWithAlex]

Hard to say, Zontes doesn't have the history of Sym so it's hard to judge the long term reliability

[@MrRatchaphruek]

Alex sell your BMW. Scooters way more easy to ride. I had R1 long time ago. It was fun, But you had to put leathers on and prepare yourself for operation certain death . I'm so happy that I change to a Scooter 🛵 Specially in Bangkok 🇹🇭

[@jamesconner3437]

.."...operation certain death ' Yes, in Bangkok city with large machine, that is a very good way to say. Only India is possibly more crowded, more crazy 😐

[@victorrenevaldiviasoto9728]

One thing I've learned about good scooters: is easier to butt-close the seat than to use your hands

[@TheRealTragicallyInept]

Hi Alex, I have a "200" (168)cc Tank scooter, a Honda CT 125, and a Royal Enfield Himalayan. I'm finding myself surprised to be thinking like you just described here. I have the REH because it can do the highway speeds and get me across the country if necessary but I'm beginning to come around to thinking, "So could a good scooter." I've been asking myself if I had to get rid of one of them which would it be? I can't answer that yet but....

[@dinuurcan5143]

Marea diferenta dintre acest model și o honda nu e prețul, ci faptul ca o honda o poți repara oriunde, un scuter chinezesc (kymco,sym , daytona ) se refuza din start la service-uri , cel puțin în Cluj nu ai unde sa le rapari sau măcar sa le faci mentenanță. M-am lovit și eu de aceasta problema și colegii mei de la delivery. Asa ca am fost nevoiți sa trecem pe Honda sau Piaggio.

[@RideWithAlex]

Reprezentantul SYM/Daytona în Cluj este MotoMus. Este și dealer dar asigura și service și garanție. De kymco nu cunosc cine se ocupa în zona aceea.

[@English_MoFo]

I like your cool James Bond long license plates over there.👌🏻 Oh can you say the word “aluminum” a couple times? 😂

[@RideWithAlex]

😂😂😂

[@English_MoFo]

@@RideWithAlex lol 👍🏻

[@RideWithAlex]

@@English_MoFo I say both as British and as Americans depends what mood I'm in.

[@kocopavlovski8334]

Hi Alex. I have a zontes 310m. I bought it new and immediately I noticed that at speeds from 50kmh to 75kmh there are quite strong vibrations in the seat and the handlebars. The zontes repairman says that the tpa is normal but it doesn't seem like that to me at all. At speeds higher than 80kmh there are no vibrations at least not that strong. You have a lot of experience with zontes motors, have you noticed any vibrations at the same speed

[@RideWithAlex]

I haven't noticed anything above averege. You should ask them to check the transmission.

[@Wix92]

Hi Alex! I have decided to give motorcycles a try (thanks in no small part to your videos) and I have decided the first one I would get would be a used 125cc scooter. I wasn't looking for Sym Symphonys specifically, but there are a couple good looking ones (2016 regular, 2017 ST) for sale around here. I was wondering if you could give me some tips about what to look out for? Some typical issues that could be present,or things that could be missing (e.g. Vespas apparently come with a brown master key that one should get with the scooter, does Sym have something along those lines)?

[@RideWithAlex]

SYM's come with 2 identical keys in terms of issues for the old ST nothing much, make sure it's been serviced, make sure the engine starts and idles nicely, the transmission is smooth without excessive vibrations, they are pretty bullet proof if maintained right.

[@Meldonator]

more video about the Zontes 350E. Alex is hurting himself :D (we all know already he wants her anyway :D ) I'm not into scooter but Alex is really doing a great job promoting those bikes ;)

[@RideWithAlex]

Curently it's just the test bike that I know have a work assignment to take it to different events and gatherings 🙄. What a hard job 🤣

[@gergobozsik1614]

​@@RideWithAlexIt almost hurts you huh?😅😂

[@RideWithAlex]

@@gergobozsik1614 yeah, it's awfull 😂

[@Robert-h8w5i]

Nice review. is the ride as good as the ADV350 ? Or as aForza 350 ?

[@RideWithAlex]

Yea, ride quality of the suspension is about the same.

[@Robert-h8w5i]

@ Thank you ! Same as ADV350 or same as Forza350 ?

[@RideWithAlex]

@Robert-h8w5i forza 350

[@Robert-h8w5i]

@@RideWithAlex Oh that’s interesting. I test drove the Forza350 and ADV350 found that the ADV350 is much more fun to drive. So probably the ride on the ADV350 is also better than the Zontes.

[@RideWithAlex]

@Robert-h8w5i do you mean the ride as in the ride quality of the suspension?

[@john_miller_]

I would love to know how the riding quality is compared to other scooters like xmax, forza and also big wheel scooters. No jornalist talks about that and its IMO one of the most important things

[@RideWithAlex]

The ride quality in terms of suspension you can feel the suspension is set up for high speed touring. At over 100km it has a wafting feel but at low speed through the city it's a bit crashy. For low speed bumps it's a bit over sprung.

[@john_miller_]

@@RideWithAlex Thats what I want to hear (or read lol). Would you say that your Sym 200 has better suspension for slow city driving?

[@john_miller_]

@@RideWithAlex Cause im thinking about buying either a maxi scooter or a big wheel scooter for the city

[@desmiller4764]

Thanks for your insight on the Zontes. Would you have one over a SYM 300 scooter 👍🏿

[@RideWithAlex]

Curently over the cruisym, yes. But I'm curios to see the ADX 300. I think after I see that one I'll make a final decision.

[@desmiller4764]

@@RideWithAlex what about the JOYMAX Z ?👍🏿

[@RideWithAlex]

@@desmiller4764 that's more city oriented, I'm looking for a touring scooter.

[@luiscarlosarias2126]

Hi Alex, they don't sale 350 in the UK, Have you got any news from zontes when is going to be in the UK

[@RideWithAlex]

No ideea, you will have to ask your dealer.

[@luiscarlosarias2126]

@@RideWithAlex Hi Alex, I did ask, And they didn't know

[@Miron_Ivan]

Потрясающе 👏

[@UnlikeMax]

Between Maxsym 400i and Zontes E350 which one would you pick? I have a hd300 sym at the moment, and I'm reaching the limit on a cruise settings... Both SYM and Zontes have like lass than 1 % of the market on Brasil, and both will be a lot hard to find parts, yet SYM has a lot more force on brand.

[@RideWithAlex]

Atm for me I prefer the zontes. But the maxsym 400 is also a great scooter. Try them both and see which one fits you best.

[@joshbro99k96]

"Nothing to see here, officer..." lol

[@RideWithAlex]

😏

[@JR-cf3wh]

Nice bike and video. The only problem is repair manuals for Chinese bikes can't be found. I have a 2023 JET14 200 and I can't find a manual for the maintenance. Very disappointing.

[@43TE333]

ZONTES service manuals are available online for free.

[@RideWithAlex]

Zontes manuals are available at zontes.com and the jet14 200 there are manuals online if you google for service manual, also the user manual is available on the Sym global web site.

[@JR-cf3wh]

@@RideWithAlex I have followed every link on google for a 2023 jet 14 200, none lead to a service manual, none. I am not new to searching and buying manuals for my scooters. I will keep trying until I can find a manual or sell the bike and go back to Japanese scooters.

[@doubleblack3359]

Salut! Pentru 198 cm, ce recomanzi? Sym 300 HD, sau Zontes 350E? Am fost anul trecut pe la voi, tot un Alex sunt si eu. Pe care se sta mai bine? Poate va mai fac o vizita, daca ma mai primiti. 😂

[@RideWithAlex]

Poți sa vii oricând, la înălțimea ta chiar nu știu. Trebuie sa vii sa le încerci sa stai pe ele ca n-am idee ce sa recomand, pt mine toate sunt confortabile dar e diferența mare de la 1.75 al meu la 1.98 al tău :/

[@doubleblack3359]

Multumesc!

[@ivanmaric4752]

Does it have bluetooth conection..I mean music list and volume and answer the call function?

[@RideWithAlex]

It has a zontes app but I didn't connect it, I would like for it to have android auto.

[@robertrobhog]

Looks a great scooter I don't think it's available in the uk

[@welfordxxx]

Yes it is. Something like £4699

[@kszabo73]

What kind of camera is this little white one?

[@RideWithAlex]

Insta360 GO2

[@kszabo73]

@ thx

[@PiotrKotliński-o7s]

Hello, could you show how connect phone, to this scooter to put on the screen google maps? Peter

[@RideWithAlex]

Check my video on the X2 350. It uses the same software.

[@PiotrKotliński-o7s]

Thank you, I will. I've just bought 350E and looks good. Peter

[@kszabo73]

@@PiotrKotliński-o7s same here, E350 since yesterday :-)

[@copu7850]

Cati km ai pana la munca? Eu fac vreo 20-25 km un drum dus depinde de ruta. Zilnic vreo 45-50 km dus-intors.

[@RideWithAlex]

10 km dus

[@copu7850]

Salutare! E mai lat ca Fortza 350?

[@RideWithAlex]

La carena frontala da, la latime ghidon toate sunt la fel

[@Abd121]

I think a point your not considered yet is if this is a good city scooter. You did establish why you think it's a great one bike do all scooter because it can go places, but if someone where replace a small scooter and a bike with this, they'd probably still have most of their usage be going around the city and travel on the side. And 4.5 to 5 L/100 is considerably more gas than small scooters that are more the 3.5 range no? Even the ADV 350 advertises 3.5L so a buyer of this will feel the cost of the big engine even when they're just getting groceries (tho the price alone probably makes any savings the ADV gives mostly meaningless)

[@RideWithAlex]

This one also advertises 3.5l/100km. But I gave everyone the real at the pump calculation after normal riding not eco riding. Even my ST200 advertises 2.7 and with my riding style I averege 3.6. But as a city scooter it's decent but like the thumbnail said it's a whale through traffic, there are better options strictly for the city. But few tour as comfortably as this one.

[@Abd121]

@@RideWithAlex Do you have any data from back when you tested the ADV 350? it probably doesn't make sense to get the ADV350 anymore since even if there is gas savings you're paying for it with the 30% higher scooter cost! But I'm just mostly curious since i can't find any real fuel tests of it online.

[@RideWithAlex]

@@Abd121 the adv350 I only had it for 30 minutes so no time to really test fuel economy but I've talked to owners and they said real world fuel consumption is 4-4.5 so not that big of a difference. And considering this thing has almost 10 bhp more I think the fuel consumption is normal.

[@Abd121]

@@RideWithAlex this scoot keeps feeling weirder and weirder like where are the downsides then...?

[@RideWithAlex]

@@Abd121 trying to find them 😂

[@michals1108]

Shame not available in uk

[@josefluchinger9373]

Pity very good Scooter but the Bill of Service Cost is to much expensiv 😮

[@igadventures]

It's a interesting scooter, but a better option will be a Honda ADV 350 as you have seen it during your test drive - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqmtkomAeqd7abs. Actually, your review made my decision to get one :)

[@RideWithAlex]

If you plan a bit of off road yes but for highways this has much better wind protection.

[@igadventures]

@@RideWithAlex with a touring windshield, not an issue. Also, the ADV 350 can get up to 150 km/h if need it. it's just a suggestion 😶Good luck to you in finding the right scooter for touring 👍

[@RideWithAlex]

@@igadventures I'm still searching, good thing I don't have the funds quite yet plus I'm waiting to see the ADX 300 from Sym.

[@igadventures]

@@RideWithAlex ADX 300 looks promising 👍Similar design with the Honda ADV 350.

[@MarianChicu]

@@RideWithAlexha this reminds me of your EICMA videos, Alex. Do you know when you'll get the latest Sym models? interested to see the 300 adx too..

[@johnj2766]

Alex you are talking yourself into emptying your wallet but you only live once

[@RideWithAlex]

It sure feels like it 😂😂