Essay – Zontes 125M – small but feisty

Several editions have passed since we tested the Zontes 310M here, and now, its younger sister, the Zontes 125M, emerges. With a very similar appearance to the larger of the two, this new scooter from the Chinese brand seems not to be very different from what we felt and saw in the 310M. But after a few kilometers, was that what we felt?

TEXT: JOÃO FRAGOSO PHOTOS: JOÃO FRAGOSO COLLABORATION: FERNANDO NETO

Zontes has been extremely active in the market in the last two years, with many new releases in various segments, offering a huge range of options for all tastes. Now, in the urban mobility segment, more specifically in the low-displacement scooter segment, the 125M emerges. Yes, at first glance, it differs little or nothing from the larger 310M, but there are some differences between them, besides the obvious power deficit.

SMALL BIG ENGINE

And it is exactly the power that we will start with. The block that equips this scooter is an engine produced by Zontes itself, with 124.7 cc and 14.5 hp of maximum power. Something we immediately feel is the availability of this small heart of the 125M, which, although not the most lively in immediate acceleration, can travel smoothly and quite quickly throughout the rev range. The truth is that in faster starts, this engine has a somewhat delayed response to the throttle, as if it were necessary a few seconds to make all the power available. It is therefore necessary to count on this waiting time if we intend to make some more demanding starts. But this only happens when we are stopped, since when already moving the story is quite different. The almost 15 hp of the 125M seem to be always available at any rev range, and this small scooter can easily reach 80-90 km/h. As a trade-off to achieve these speeds, this scooter has its maximum speed limited to 115 km/h, something that we should not really consider as a disadvantage or defect, knowing that it is a 125 cc. The vibrations caused by the engine are more noticeable at a low rev range, and they are significantly reduced as we stabilize the speed. We can still, in a not so friendly use – it must be confessed – keep fuel consumption around 2.6 liters, which is quite positive considering all the EURO5 restrictions that lead to an even more intense use, which in this case included some highways at very high revs. With a 12-liter tank, the task of refueling is something that we can delay for several kilometers.

ERGONOMIC AND PLEASANT

As pleasant as the engine of this Zontes 125M may be, it is important that the chassis is in agreement. And when we talk about the chassis in a 125cc scooter, ergonomics play a big role. Interestingly, despite its very similar appearance to its older sister, the 310M, this scooter has a somewhat different riding position. The handlebar is of a suitable width for medium height riders and the seat is positioned 10 mm lower than the 310M, allowing us to be in line with the handlebar, in a comfortable and natural position. The legroom is also pleasant and the overall setup offers a very friendly riding position for both city commutes and longer journeys, even on fast roads. Where Zontes fell short a bit was in the comfort of the seat, as it proved to be somewhat uncomfortable after a few kilometers, on practically all types of roads. However, this slight discomfort is disguised by the good absorption of irregularities by the front suspension and dual rear shock absorbers. On our “famous” Portuguese cobblestone, the 125M showed exemplary behavior, maintaining comfort and smoothness of riding. Nevertheless, the limit of the suspensions, and especially the rear shock absorber, appears early for a slightly heavier rider, or one who regularly rides with a passenger. In the braking department, we can rely on a disc at the front and another at the rear, both with ABS. The rear brake seems to be more precise than the front, where we feel that despite having sufficient power, it could offer greater precision and a less “spongy” feel, although both levers are adjustable.

TECHNOLOGY LIKE A GROWN-UP

There is no denying that technology is becoming more and more common, regardless of the price range or range of motorcycles. As the years go by, we no longer see high-quality panels with features only in high-end motorcycles, now they exist in all market segments! Therefore, for the price range of this Zontes 125M – below €4,000 – this small scooter has quite interesting technological attributes. The color LCD panel is the same as that equipped in other motorcycles of the Chinese brand and offers numerous functionalities and displays, from phone connection to a lot of information about the motorcycle. The navigation buttons on the right and left side of the handlebars are also the ones we are already accustomed to seeing on Zontes motorcycles.

We also have, as standard, red lighting on the buttons, electronically regulated glass, electric seat opening, keyless ignition system, and full LED lighting. But the technology continues in the storage space, with a USB input in the front compartment on the left side, which allows you to charge your smartphone while riding. On the right side, there is also a space to store something, but with smaller dimensions. As for the space under the seat, the Zontes 125M is not the most generous scooter and we will hardly be able to fit a full-face helmet (as the brand claims), unless it is of very reduced dimensions.

READY FOR THE COMPETITION

Zontes, like many other Chinese brands, is investing heavily in the European market and has quickly distanced itself from the “Chinese” image that could be associated with motorcycles from that region of Asia a few years ago. After the 310M, the 125M proves to be a strong competitor to the A1 class scooters already on the market. A pleasant engine, good ergonomics in the riding position, lots of technology, weighing less than 150 kg, and an attractive price are just a few points that could make us consider this scooter for our daily commutes. And with the pace at which the brand has been introducing new features and improvements in its current models, it wouldn’t be surprising if there is also a reinforcement of this 125M soon.

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