Yes, it is another Zontes but hear us out as there are so much to this bike! The Zontes 703RR represents the company’s first ever sojourn into the big capacity sportbike category, by utilising their new 699cc, three-cylinder, DOHC engine which also powers the 703F adventure model. It had just been launched at EICMA, less than a month prior to our visit.
The engine was in its design stages just five years ago. What we say back then there several renderings on a computer screen, and that was it. So take away two years due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, Zontes took only three years to make it happen.
What is the Zontes 703RR?
It is the sportbike of the Zontes family and looks to be the flagship model, at least in the time being. It features a beautifully sculpted and distinctive bodywork with sharp lines, even winglets covered in aerobodies.
A short highlight of its features include:
- 699cc, inline-triple, DOHC engine, fed by a ram air intake. It produces 100.5hp at 11,200 RPM and 74.5Nm at 8,500 RPM. Ram air intake should add another 10hp in the upper RPMs.
- The frame is real wow factor here: Each side of the twin-spar aluminium frame is cast as one piece then joined in with the other side. On the other hand ,conventional aluminium frames have their headstock and “uprights” that hold the swingarm pivot are welded onto the spars.
- Zontes claims that this reduces the engine vibes and also provide better targeted stiffness vs. flex characteristics.
- The subframe is also a one-piece cast aluminium component, and bolted to the back of the main frame.
- Adjustable Marzocchi forks and monoshock.
- Dual front disc brakes gripped by J.Juan calipers, dual-channel ABS is standard.
- LED lighting all-around.
- 8-inch colour TFT screen complete with power modes and lap timer.
- 196kg wet weight.
- Seat height is 795mm.
Riding the Zontes 703RR
If you like sportbikes, the seating position is so right. The ergonomics are somewhere along the lines of the Aprilia RS660 mixed with that of the Triumph Daytona 660. The clip-on handlebars are mounted slightly higher than the top of the fuel tank, so they do not put your weight onto your wrists. And that seat was so low that putting your feet down was of no issue.
The only place to test ride the bike was on a small test track at the factory’s compound. The front “straight” was just 100m long and there was a double-apex hairpin on each end, with a three-turn chicane in between. So it was tight like a small go-kart track.
Heading into the first turn, I squeezed the front brake lever with two fingers and was almost thrown out of the seat. It was THAT powerful!
Despite screwing up the corner entry from overbraking, the Zontes 703RR happily tipped into the corner without threatening to collapse the front tyre. Still in 2nd gear, I opened the throttle as the bike touched the apex and WHOOOOOOOOOP went the engine. Thankfully, the corners are marked by lines drawn on the road rather than curbs, because the bike shot all the way from the exit of the first corner to the last corner!
So, I short-shifted into 3rd and rounded the last turn, and stand the bike up quickly and rolled on the throttle to exit the corner. The 703RR just blasted down that 100m straight in a flash. The company’s CEO had insisted on building a three-cylinder engine because he prefers its strong torque and accessible horsepower.
I continued going around and around, and avoided making eye contact with those in the starting area because I did not want to be flagged in. In the end, a Zontes crew stepped almost onto the middle of the track to wave me in. I must have covered some 9 laps.
Conclusion
Yes, yes, it was a short ride but having ridden so many motorcycles before, I can confidently say that the Zontes 703RR has the chops of a great bike, although its prowess on the track needs to be discovered. But, as a midrange street superbike, the present contenders better watch their backs.
We asked Zontes Malaysia if it will make it here. The official returned a cheeky smile.
