Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Zontes has been in the game for a while now, mostly focusing on smaller displacement bikes ranging from 125cc to 350cc. I’ve had the chance to ride some of their bikes as the brand had a presence in my home country, the Philippines.

In recent months, Zontes has grabbed attention with the development of a new engine, which has taken the brand’s performance to new levels. We’ve previously discussed a new three-cylinder engine from the brand, and now, Zontes has revealed two concepts featuring this engine. Zontes enters the popular midsize motorcycle segments with the new ZT 703 F adventure-tourer and the ZT 703 RR sportbike. Let’s dive into the details.

Both models feature a new aluminum frame and swingarm designed to provide rigidity and stability while keeping the bikes’ weight low. The models are equipped with the same 699cc three-cylinder engine, each receiving different tuning for their specific riding styles. The ZT 703 F delivers 85 Newton-meters of torque at 7,200 rpm and 100 horsepower at 9,000 rpm. On the other hand, the ZT 703 RR produces 110 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 75 Nm of torque at 8,600 rpm.

As for the bikes’ designs, Zontes has followed the rulebook with the ZT 703 F featuring adventure styling with a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel, suggesting it’s ready for off-road adventures. It also comes with angular bodywork, full LED lights, and a tall windscreen for added wind protection on long highway rides. Meanwhile, the ZT 703 RR has a sportier stance, rolling on 120 front and 180 rear 17-inch tires with low-slung clip-ons and raised rearsets for an aggressive seating position.

It’ll be interesting to see how these new models stack up against more established players in the market. Many riders consider three-cylinder engines to be the sweet spot between the torque of a twin and the linear power of an inline-four. The increasing number of triples on the market shows that others share the same sentiment. Zontes’ new models are expected to be priced more affordably than their mainstream counterparts.