2022 Zontes 350T ADV has debuted in India. We get our hands on this upcoming ADV in India and ride it on an off-road track. Read our first ride detailed review of it.
The ADV segment is on boom in India. The growth of this segment has pushed every two-wheeler maker to consider new products. Catering to it, the 2022 Zontes 350T ADV has landed now. The new ADV promises to redefine the segment with its connected features and tech. To feel it in-depth and see how well put up this new ADV is, we went for a short off-road experience on it. Read our first ride review of it, that too on an off-road track.
Zontes 350T ADV Design & Features
Before heading for the ride experience, let's talk about the futuristic design. The 350T is going to be placed against the KTM Adventure 390, Royal Enfield Himalayan, & the BMG G 310 GS. However, its design looks bigger than all of its rivals. A lot of futuristic techs have been embedded into it. This makes the Zontes stand apart from the crowd. Look at the front, a sharp and smiling all-LED headlight is supported by a big windscreen and a long beak.
This windscreen is electrically adjustable. So are most of its features. Even the bike has a keyless start to it. This means that only a button on the handlebar does everything like lock/unlock & start/stop it. Additionally, there are separate buttons to open the fuel cap and even the seat. A lot of connected features are surely the first in this segment. However, the 5-inch digital instrument panel is one of its main USPs. It has everything that a rider needs to know. It's got the TPMS, fuel economy meter, temperature gauge, etc. The rider can even adjust the theme of it!
Meanwhile, the rear end is fitted with a LED taillight and a sturdy luggage mount. The rear fender also seems to be of good quality and embraces LED turn indicators in it. The front tyre is 21-inch tubeless and the rear is 19-inch tubeless. These are also first in the segment as none of the rivals offer tubeless tyres till now.
Off-Road Ride Experience
The first thing to notice when you sit on the bike is its relaxed riding position. The ergonomics are spot on for a long ride. The rider seat is the main highlight with almost perfect cushioning and back support. Meanwhile, the footpegs are going to hinder ergonomics. These hit right in the legs when you try to maneuver the bike. Additionally, the fuel tank is a bit too big. However, its 19-lt of capacity means fewer fuel stops on the long rides.
We tested the bike on ORAZ Delhi. It's a fairly moderate track with all levels of difficulties open as per requirement. The Zontes came fitted with all-purpose tyres but the bike felt less at home off-road. However, the 348cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine is a boon. It makes a peak power of 38 bhp and means you're not going to feel underpowered in any situation. But, this is contradicted by its high kerb weight of 196 kg which shoots upwards of 200 kg when the fuel tank is filled up. This means that maneuverability is affected big time. It becomes difficult to reverse the bike even on the slightest of undulations. Additionally, the 6-speed gearbox with slipper-assist clutch helps a lot. Zontes is also offering two ride modes - Eco and Sports.
Meanwhile, the suspension works well and absorbs most of the bumps. The rear end felt a bit lose at times as it bottomed out on sharp jumps. However, the riding stance and the overall dynamics are well-tuned for the road conditions. We're yet to test it intensively on the road and we'll try to do a tank-to-tank fuel economy run as well for it.
Verdict
A day well spent with the Zontes 350T ADV led us to multiple thoughts. It's a good touring machine as its potential speaks for itself. However, the heavy weight of the bike and unsorted ergonomics are not its strongest points. Meanwhile, the loaded tech and big dimensions mean it is going to be eye candy on the road. Now, the main game revolves around its pricing. The market this bike is catering to is largely owned by well-established rivals. If Zontes prices it in the likes of Rs 3.5 lakh, it can be a segment game changer.
Let us know in the comments what you think about this upcoming ADV. For more such updates, join the 91Wheels Telegram group.
