The Naked Bike That Wants To Beat The Yamaha MT-09 At Its Own Game
EICMA is in full swing, and that means we’re getting treated to some head-turning bikes from around the world. One such bike comes from the far end of Asia, attempting to take on the premium middleweight naked bike segment. The package seems quite capable from head to toe, dripping with high-end equipment. This even includes an over-800cc triple-cylinder engine that has class-leading performance to fire warning shots at the popular machines in the segment like the Yamaha MT-09.
The MT-09 Leads The Way, But The 800-900cc Class Is Becoming More Competitive
In the 800-900cc space, one of the most popular machines comes from Yamaha. We’re talking about the do-it-all MT-09 that attracts buyers all over the world, serving as a proper fun machine for all kinds of shenanigans. It does that by blending a brilliant CP3 engine, housed inside an aluminum chassis, and topped with adjustable suspension.
Premium electronic aids are part of the package, too. These aids are directly inspired by the MotoGP world and derived from the flagship YZF-R1. To make matters sweeter, a higher-end MT-09 SP version is available. This brings Öhlins and a special livery to the mix.
As good as that is, there is no shortage of rivals for the MT. The Triumph Street Triple RS is perhaps its biggest nemesis, promising more power from less capacity, Öhlins rear shock as standard, and Brembo Stylema calipers. Another brand is now trying to do a similar thing to Triumph: Zontes. It’s a lesser-known Chinese brand here but has big backing in China. So we’ve seen some promising machines by the bikemaker in the past, and its latest creation builds on that.
The Zontes ZT853R Packs Ample Firepower To Shake The Naked Segment
Zontes has been quietly innovating in China, bringing out spicy new motorcycles in the recent past. Not all of them are targeted towards the Western market, but it makes sure whatever comes here is right up with the best of the best. The ZT853R is the latest example of that. It just debuted at the 2026 EICMA in Milan, armed with high-end equipment all over. The crown jewel is its powerful triple-cylinder engine. Let’s take a look at the details.
An 847cc Engine Promises Close To 150 HP
This is the highlight in our books. The ZT853R features a new 847cc, triple-cylinder powerhouse, which fires at a high compression ratio and has a water/oil-cooling setup. That helps produce 148 horsepower (150 PS) at 12,500 RPM and 66 pound-feet at 9,000 RPM. The former is higher than any other naked bike in this class and comparable to bikes from a segment above, like the liter-class Suzuki GSX-S1000. Interestingly, Zontes backs up the performance by claiming a shockingly quick 0 to 62 mph time of 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 173 mph.
Aluminum Chassis And Adjustable Suspension Make Up The Underpinnings
Like the engine, Zontes has whipped up a new chassis here. The aluminum main frame and subframe together are said to weigh just 22 pounds, while pairing up a single-sided swingarm. The latter is a rarity in the segment. This is topped with 43 mm USD forks with diamond-like coating and a monoshock. Both are sourced from KYB and are adjustable to fine-tune the ride. Elsewhere, floating 310 mm discs with Brembo M4.32 calipers mount onto 17-inch alloy wheels. These tires come shod with sporty Michelin Power GP 2 tires to make the sporty intentions crystal clear.
Six-Axis IMU-Aided Electronics And An Italian Design Sweeten The Experience
Chinese bikes rarely skimp on modern tech, and the ZT853R isn’t an exception. There’s a six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire as standard, which enable a handful of rider safety aids. These include four-mode wheelie control, traction control, cornering ABS, ride modes, and launch control. Making life easier on the go are a bidirectional quickshifter and cruise control.
For toggling through the settings, you have a rectangular KTM-like TFT instrument cluster. The display also has an Intelligent Control System 4.0 with NFC unlocking, alongside app connectivity to monitor various motorcycle parameters, from tire pressure to vehicle location.
Finally, a special shoutout goes to the design. It’s a very Italian-feeling aesthetic, comprising sharp panels from head to toe. You also get some MV Agusta-like elements without being a blatant copy. The hollow subframe, undertail exhausts, and the 10-spoke alloy wheel pattern are all reminiscent of the midweight Brutale, while the livery reminds us of the Brutale 1000 Assen. Topping things off are a handful of likable details, such as:
- Carbon fiber fender
- Carbon fiber headlight cover
- All-LED lights
- CNC racing rear sprocket
- Aluminum clip-on handlebars
- EK 525 DEX (black and gold)
Zontes Has Yet To Enter The US
As capable as the bike is, you should keep your expectations in check for now. That’s because Zontes has yet to enter the US market officially, and there are no filings to back up its debut here, either. So for now, this is something only British and European enthusiasts can enjoy. We do hope Zontes enters America soon, though, given how well CFMoto is doing here. There is clearly some scope for Chinese bikemakers, provided the products are solid.
Source: Zontes
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