Zontes Has A New 500cc Adventure Bike Called The 500 T

The Chinese brand goes for a thumpy single cylinder, as opposed to the usual parallel-twin found in ADVs of this size.

Chinese motorcycles have become bigger, more powerful and more high-tech. If the recently concluded EICMA 2023 it was something to pass, it is clear that the bikes made in China are here, and they are here to stay whether we like it or not. Many Chinese brands have presented their innovations, and Zontes is just one of many trying to make it big in the global market.

ZontesThe newest offering seeks to target the highly lucrative entry-level middleweight segment in Europe, occupied primarily by A2-licensed bikes. Models in the category usually have engines in the 300cc to 500cc displacement range, with the new 500 T taking the form of an adventure tourer. To reach the market in 2024, the Zontes 500 T will be offered in two versions – one with alloy wheels for a more focused drive on the road, and another with wire-spoke wheels for better off-road performance.

At the heart of the Zontes 500T is a 498cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine. With an output of 38 kilowatts, or about 51 horsepower, and 50 Nm (about 37 pound-feet), the bike is a little more powerful than its parallel-double counterparts equipped with similar displacements. However, given its single cylinder configuration, expect a substantial amount of vibration from this engine. According to Zontes, the 500 T has a top speed of 180 kilometers per hour, or about 112.5 miles per hour.

When it comes to style, Zontes hasn’t rewritten the rule book by any means. The 500 T follows the standard formula when it comes to adventure bikes, with angular body work, a tall windshield, and standard crash bars on the sides to protect the engine and bodywork in the event of a tip. There is also a beak on the front, which accentuates its off-road inspired design. The 500 T rolls on a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel wrapped in dual-purpose rubber, while the street-focused version gets 17-inch wheels front and rear. Suspension hardware consists of an inverted front fork and a monoshock in the middle, while braking duties are handled by twin front discs and a single rear disc.

At the moment, Zontes has yet to announce the price and availability of the new 500 T. It will probably make its way to the European market in 2024, since the brand has an established distribution network in countries such as France, Germany and Italy. As is the case with most Chinese-made motorcycles, expect the 500 T to command an attractive price, undercutting its Japanese and European rivals by a substantial margin.

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