It’s time to buy Chinese

These aren’t scaled-down KTMS (swingarm), MVS (pipes) or BMWS (beak). No, these are by Zontes. They’re new models in development with a 35bhp liquid-cooled 310cc single, quality cycle parts, hi-tech displays, light-up switches – a huge step on from the current 250. Unlike many Chinese firms Zontes don’t buy-in bits to bolt together. They have 250 R&D engineers, their own foundry and CNC shop, and make their own frames, seats and plastics from raw material. Four bikes are in development (naked, sports-tourer, adventure, cruiser) and the UK importer expects to select two, here later in 2018. Based on prices listed by the French importer, they’ll be £4000-ish – a lot more than the 250 (£2799), but a grand less than BMW’S Indian-built G310.