Zontes has carved out a place in Europe with a simple recipe: very well-equipped bikes for the money. Keyless ignition, full LED lighting, TFT screen, an electric screen on some versions — and an in-house 348 cc single that powers a whole family: the 350 T adventure bike, the 350 R roadster, the sporty 350 X and the retro 350 GK. In France the 2025 350 T is listed at €5,690.
Behind the brochure there is a mechanic's question: does this single last, and what should you watch? The honest answer: an official recall you absolutely must check, few other public defects, and resale values worth thinking about before you buy.
Who Zontes is
Zontes belongs to Guangdong Tayo Motorcycle Technology, founded in 2003 in Jiangmen, southern China. Unlike some Chinese brands that assemble bought-in engines, Tayo designs its own. In France the brand is imported by GD France, which also handles CFMoto; it registered 1,772 bikes there in the first half of 2025 (+20.4%). The UK has its own importer. To place Zontes among the other groups, read who makes what.
The spec sheet (350 T)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 348 cc single, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4 valves |
| Power | About 39 hp at 9,500 rpm (Motoplanete data) |
| Torque | About 34 Nm (3.4 kgm) at 7,500 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6 speeds, chain drive |
| Weight | 177 kg dry, 196 kg fully fuelled |
| Seat height | 830 mm |
| Fuel tank | 19 litres |
| Fork | 43 mm upside-down |
| Brakes | 320 mm disc and J.Juan 4-piston caliper front, 265 mm rear |
| Tyres | 110/80-19 and 160/60-17 |
| Price | €5,690 in France (2025 350 T) |
The other versions share the engine; quoted power varies slightly between data sheets and model years. All are suitable for an A2 licence.
The official recall: the oil hoses
This is the point to check before buying any 2022-2023 Zontes 350. In October 2023 a recall was published in the EU Safety Gate alert system and relayed by the French database RappelConso (notice 48095) for the ZT350-GK, X1, V1, R1, T and T1 models (ZT350 and V350 type approvals).
- Defect: the two hoses carrying hot oil between the radiator and the engine can leak, causing a major oil loss.
- Risk: burns to the rider, and oil on the rear tyre and the road, with a risk of a crash.
- Defect identified: November 2022.
- Remedy: contact the dealer for the corrective work.
What it means for you:
- Owner: if your bike is affected and you were never contacted, call a Zontes dealer with your frame number. The work is paid for by the manufacturer. In the UK you can also check the DVSA recall service.
- Used buyer: demand proof that the recall was done (dealer invoice or certificate). On an untreated bike, check the hoses, oil traces under the engine and on the rear rim.
- Regular visual check: even after the fix, an oil-cooler hose needs watching. A greasy trace on the crankcase or lower frame should never be ignored.
We explain how to check recalls on any machine in manufacturer recalls: checking your bike.
Other reported faults
A serious case made public in Spain
In January 2025 a Spanish owner of a Zontes 350 bought in late 2022 filed a public complaint with the consumer association OCU: a ruptured hose, a seized engine that was replaced, a catalytic converter issue, then a cracked cylinder head on the replacement engine, and more than seven months off the road waiting for parts. The manufacturer replied asking for the registration, frame number and dealer name to look into the file.
One case is not a statistic, and we don't know that bike's service history. But it illustrates two things: a failing hose can cost an engine if you keep riding, and the real risk with a young brand is parts lead time. We develop this in parts, warranty and dealer network for Chinese motorcycles.
More common feedback
In owner groups, the recurring remarks are more ordinary:
- keyless remote battery: replace it preventively, a flat one immobilises the bike;
- rear shock judged under-damped on rebound by heavier or loaded riders;
- possible condensation in the instruments after washing;
- corrosion of small fasteners, as on most Chinese brands (see our overview of Chinese motorcycle reliability).
