The styling of the Zontes 350R can be described as the most interesting. Not a single element of styling will make you mistake it for anything else, with its sleek tail-lamps taking the top spot. It also boasts of features like screen mirroring and keyless functionality that are difficult to find in a bike, even an expensive one. However, the electronic features only a bike can take so far – what’s it like to ride?
Given its small size, you would be forgiven for thinking that the 350R is very light compared to its 180kg curb weight. Upon lifting it from the stand, one immediately realizes that this is not a light machine. While the rider’s seat is well padded and the overall rider is at the triangle spot, when you put your feet down the foot is screwed with your shin (something we also saw on the 350T ADV).
Where matters get worse is the possibility of carrying a pillar. The rear seat is unreasonably tough and doesn’t have enough room. If you manage to convince someone to move on, the ground clearance of 152mm proves insufficient to handle anything other than the tiny, soft suspension beneath the big collector box in any small part Because of that combined with the setup.
Given the fact that almost all of its base is shared with the 350T ADV, except the suspension, 17-inch tires and the smaller 15-litre fuel tank, the 350R looks very familiar. The same buzzy engine, soft suspension and brakes that are excessively intrusive are further highlighted on the road where the 350R will likely spend most of its time. Anything over 90kph will have harsh vibrations at all touch points and you won’t want to exceed that limit anyway, considering how bad the braking setup feels. Shortly after we were with the bike, the front brake lever nearly touched the throttle grip and the ABS intervened very quickly, dangerously increasing the time and distance to come to a dead stop. Another peculiarity is that when the radiator fan comes in, the tank starts to buzz uncomfortably.
The Zontes 350R is quite comfortable and has some attractive features. Overall this bike leaves you wanting more. Whether the Spiked 350R captures the imagination of others, especially with so many proven products available in the market, is something we will have to wait and see.