Zontes set sights on Tiger with new ZT-703F three-cylinder adventure bike for 2024

Zontes Motorcycles have revealed a new ZT-703F adventure bike prototype, with the finished bike set to arrive by the end of the year featuring a 699cc engine.

First mooted back in 2021, the engine is an all-new, liquid-cooled triple with the bike set to be joined by a similarly powered sports sibling, the ZT-703RR.

• Related: Zontes ZT310-T review

Both were shown in prototype form late in 2023 and mark a move away from the firm’s traditional 125-350cc budget-friendly models already on sale in the UK.

Details of the two triples are still scarce, but Zontes are claiming peak power of 100bhp at 9000rpm and torque of 63lbft at 7200rpm. This compares well with Triumph’s 888cc triple found in the latest Tiger 900 range, but it’s unlikely the Zontes will match their level of quality and tech.

The sporty 703RR looks set to be the more lively of the two, with a slightly higher state of tune that results in a claimed peak power of 110bhp at 11,000rpm, but slightly reduced peak torque of 55lbft at 8600rpm. Both are reported to be fully Euro5+ compliant.

Suspension is by beefy inverted front forks with an adjustable monoshock at the rear. Front stoppers are twin discs grasped by Brembo four-piston, radially mounted calipers. Wheels are alloy-rimmed cross-spoke wires (to allow tubeless tyres) in what look like 19in/17in diameters.

Inside the smart, sharply styled bodywork there’s a decent sized TFT dash. The bike seen here, meanwhile, is fitted with a centrestand, plenty of crash protection and panniers, while closer examination of the switchgear suggests there are riding modes, traction control and heated grips, plus a tall, electrically adjustable screen.

Whether the striking blue and yellow livery will remain is yet to be seen, and the long, wide, flat exhaust may not be to everyone’s taste.

If the production version manages to deliver all that but at an affordable Chinese-style price point, the established manufacturers had better watch out.

Zontes ZT-703F in detail

• Three’s a crowd: The new 699cc liquid-cooled triple is fully Euro5+ compliant and is claimed to put out an impressive peak power figure of 100bhp at 9000rpm along with peak torque of 63lbft at 7200rpm
• Framed up: Details are still few, but the frame looks to be a cast alloy twin spar with a matching cast alloy swingarm
• Quality kit: Cycle parts include beefy USD forks, a monoshock rear, twin front discs, and Brembo four-pot radial calipers
• Impressive spec: The cockpit holds a big TFT dash, shrouded by a tall front fairing with electrically adjustable screen
• More to come: This 703F adventure bike is set to be joined by a more powerful sports 703RR model using a tuned version of the engine that puts out a claimed 110bhp