This Sports Tourer Can Brew Up A Storm In India

Zongshen Motorcycles is a Chinese two-wheeler brand known to produce simple commuters and mopeds. However, the manufacturer has stepped up its game with its sub-brand Cyclone. Recently, it launched the RX6, an ADV powered by Norton’s 650cc parallel-twin, and a 400cc neo-retro roadster, christened RE3. Now, Zongshen has launched the RG3, and being the brand’s first sports tourer, it has quite a lot to live up to.

To start off, the Zongshen Cyclone RG3 gets a typical sports tourer design, with a heavy front end. The fascia is dominated by a massive windshield (adjustable by up to 70mm). Right in the centre sits a single LED projector headlamp flanked by LED headlights on either side that act as the low beam. The design may seem original but given the country’s penchant for “drawing inspiration” from global two-wheeler giants, we couldn’t ignore the similarities with the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX.

It is the list of features that can put some of the bigger motorcycles to shame. The Cyclone RG3 comes with a 6.75-inch TFT display that displays a plethora of information, including the tyre pressure. Of course it comes with bluetooth connectivity but the standout feature on the bike is the front-facing camera that sits right above the projector headlight. With a camera giving you the perfect POV shot, would you really need a GoPro now? Not to forget how the camera could be helpful in case of a collision.

The Zongshen Cyclone RG3 is powered by a 401cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that delivers 42.8PS at 9,500rpm and 34Nm at 8,000rpm. The engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox, assisted by a slipper clutch. This engine is cradled in a unique chassis.

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The RG3’s frame is an amalgamation of a trellis and a double downtube cradle frame, which the brand claims strikes the right balance between rigidity and flexibility.

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While most of the Chinese manufacturers tend to adorn their motorcycles with heavy equipment, Zongshen has kept that in check… to a certain extent. Instead of a fancy USD fork, the RG3 comes with a telescopic fork and a monoshock. Braking duties are handled by twin disc brakes up front and a single disc at the rear, aided by the safety net of ABS.

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Being a sports tourer, the Zongshen Cyclone RG3 gets a fuel tank capacity of a whopping 21 litres! The saddle height is low at 785mm, making it accessible for shorter riders. At 165mm, the ground clearance is quite decent too. However, at 213kg (kerb), the RG3 is fairly heavy.

The Zongshen Cyclone RG3 goes on sale in China with a price tag of CNY32,800 (Rs 3.76 lakh) for the Elite variant, and if you fancy having the camera, and the smartphone connectivity, you’ll have to shell out an additional CNY2,000 or roughly Rs 23,000 for the Smart version. Zongshen is unlikely to arrive here, and if you are on a lookout for a mid-displacement sports tourer, our only option is the Kawasaki Ninja 650. However, with CFMoto teasing the arrival of the 650NK BS6, we expect the CFMoto 650GT to follow soon.

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