Style Over Substance? Does the Fashionable Design of Zontes 350R Sacrifice Excitement?The 'country of origin effect' theory highlights that the country of its origin can positively influence a consumer's perception of a product. For instance, we tend to associate Swiss watches with superior quality, Japanese motorcycles with reliability, and European motorcycles with exoticism.However, there may be some hesitation or scepticism when it comes to Chinese products. Despite this, China has recently secured contracts to manufacture bikes for well-known brands like KTM, Harley Davidson, and BMW. No doubt, their latest motorcycles have been impressive. So it's surprising that the Zontes 350R feels more like a Chinese bike from the past than the present.The Zontes 350R is a visually striking motorcycle with its Streetfighter design that appears like an ominous Transformer in vehicle form, garnering attention wherever it goes. Passersby would do a double-take, and some even can approach it since it looks like an electric vehicle. The bike's sharp lines, upswept angles, dual-barrel exhausts inspired by MV Agusta, and chunky dual-tone alloy wheels contribute to its exotic appearance. In this regard, the 350R is just as daring as we've come to expect from contemporary Chinese motorcycles.Chinese manufacturers are pushing ahead of their competitors in the realm of features. While most motorcycles under 500 cc are beginning to incorporate LCD screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB charging, the Zontes 350R is a smartphone among landlines. Its 5-inch colour TFT screen has a screen mirroring feature and is fully customizable with numerous themes. What's more impressive is that the 350R is fully keyless and operates with a key fob and handlebar buttons for all functions. These functions include locking/unlocking the bike to ignition to access the fuel filler cap and seat. The lighting is also all LED, adding to its convenience and modernity.Despite its impressive features and design, the Zontes 350R falls short in excitement while in motion. This is disappointing because its 348 cc engine boasts nearly 38 bhp and 32.8 Nm, surpassing the BMW G 310 R's output of 34 bhp and 28 Nm. The Zontes 350R generates as much power as the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and is a direct rival to the KTM 390 Duke. However, the 350R's engine on the road feels more akin to a 250 cc model.Zontes 350 ADV, GK 350, and 350R all three exhibit similar behaviour with their gear ratios. While maintaining triple-digit speeds is effortless, quickly overtaking vehicles by shifting gears is cumbersome due to the flat fourth gear. Despite being suitable for slow city riding in second and third gears, it is worth noting that the bike's poor maintenance has impacted its fuel efficiency. Further, it yields just 20 km/l in the city and 27 km/l on the highway. However, the better-maintained GK 350 gives a city fuel efficiency of 26 km/l, suggesting that the 350R may have been a victim of negligence.The Zontes 350R has a mono-shock at the rear and a 43 mm upside-down front fork as part of its hardware. The suspension setup is tuned towards the softer side, providing a comfortable ride over the city's bumpy roads. However, the bike feels unstable at highway speeds. Unfortunately, the suspension needs adjustability, preventing us from exploring the bike's full potential, despite the CST tyres being grippy and suitable for some enjoyable corner carving.Let's move on to the part that can make us uneasy. As part of our assessment of a motorcycle's braking ability, applying sudden brakes at various speeds allows us to gauge the effectiveness, feedback, and urgency with which the bike stops in emergencies. However, if you follow and apply the testing mentioned above, the mounting stems of the handlebar on the Zontes 350R may need to be fixed. Further, it may cause the handlebar to move forward and the rider to lean further over the fuel tank. The 350R is equipped with a single 325mm and 265mm disc at the front and rear, respectively, and dual-channel ABS. Unfortunately, the ABS needs to be better calibrated, and the bike jolts to a stop, while the lever feels and feedback leave much to be desired.Final VerdictRecently, Keeway motorcycles, another brand owned by Adishwar Auto Ride, showed how refined Chinese engines had become. Although they had their faults, we cannot say the same for the Zontes 350R. With all the issues faced while testing the bikes, we cannot recommend it at its ex-showroom price of Rs 3.25 lakh. Despite the wear and tear that test bikes undergo, the number of issues may leave you feeling disappointed. In comparison, the Zontes GK 350 is a better choice. Do you know that Honda obtains patent in India for its new Forza 350 maxi-scooterAre you searching for a new bike? 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