Zontes ZT368G from the trailer at a popular trail head just outside Melbourne. A couple of dirt bike riders preparing their machines nearby glance over with expressions of curiosity and mild skepticism. Their reactions are understandable—with its distinctive silhouette that’s neither conventional adventure bike nor traditional scooter, the ZT368G occupies a unique space in the two-wheeled universe.
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“What exactly is that thing?” one of them finally asks, wandering over for a closer look. It’s a question I’ve heard repeatedly since taking delivery of this distinctive machine, and one that Zontes seems to have deliberately provoked with their genre-defying design.
After spending two weeks with the ZT368G on everything from city commutes to light off-road adventures, I’ve found it to be one of the most intriguing and versatile vehicles I’ve tested recently—though not without some notable compromises. This Chinese-built adventure scooter makes bold promises about combining the convenience of a step-through design with genuine go-anywhere capability. The question is whether it actually delivers on these seemingly contradictory aims.
The Adventure Scooter Concept: Breaking Categorical Boundaries
The concept of an “adventure scooter” might initially seem contradictory, like “performance minivan” or “luxury compact.” Traditional scooters, with their small wheels, limited suspension travel, and step-through designs have typically been optimized for urban environments rather than challenging terrain. Their primary virtues—convenience, ease of use, and practicality—have historically come at the expense of off-road capability.
Zontes, a Chinese manufacturer that has been steadily expanding its global footprint, clearly aims to challenge these conventional limitations with the ZT368G. The machine represents an intriguing hybrid approach: maintaining the step-through convenience and automatic transmission of a scooter while incorporating design elements from adventure motorcycles like increased ground clearance, longer-travel suspension, and wire-spoke wheels.
“This concept actually makes a lot of sense for the Australian market,” explains David Thompson, a motorcycle dealer in Brisbane who recently added Zontes to his lineup. “We have plenty of riders who want the convenience of a scooter for daily commuting but also want to explore fire trails and dirt roads on weekends without needing a second vehicle.”
This view appears to be gaining traction globally, with several manufacturers now exploring the adventure scooter space. Honda’s ADV series has been particularly successful in establishing the viability of the category, while the BMW CE 04 has brought advanced technology and premium branding to the urban adventure segment.
The ZT368G enters this emerging space with an approach that pushes even further toward the adventure end of the spectrum than many competitors, while maintaining a surprisingly competitive price point of around $9,990 ride away.
Zontes in Australia: Building Presence
Before diving deeper into the ZT368G itself, it’s worth understanding Zontes’ position in the Australian market. The brand entered Australia officially in 2022 under distributor Mojo Motorcycles, which also handles CFMoto, Royal Enfield, and KYMCO. While still building name recognition, Zontes has been steadily expanding its dealer network and model range.
“Chinese motorcycles have come a tremendously long way in quality and design over the past decade,” notes Thompson. “Five years ago, many riders wouldn’t have considered a Chinese brand. Now they’re some of our strongest sellers, particularly in the value-conscious segments.”
Zontes has positioned itself slightly upmarket from some other Chinese manufacturers, emphasizing technology integration and feature-rich packages. The ZT368G exemplifies this approach, coming standard with features like keyless operation, Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple riding modes that would typically be options or unavailable on many similarly priced competitors.
Design and Ergonomics: Function Leading Form
Visually, the ZT368G makes a distinctive statement. The front end features an adventure bike-inspired tall windscreen and substantial beak fender, while dual LED headlights give it a purposeful, aggressive face. The bodywork is angular and modern, with plastic cladding that suggests off-road protection rather than urban sophistication.
The step-through design remains fundamentally scooter-like, though with a taller seat height (835mm) than typical urban scooters. This increased height contributes to the improved ground clearance but may prove challenging for shorter riders. During my testing, I found the seat height manageable for my 178cm frame, though coming to a stop on uneven surfaces requires some forethought.
“The ergonomics represent an interesting compromise,” says Sarah Mitchell, a motorcycle ergonomics specialist I consulted during my evaluation. “The seating position is more upright than most scooters, with the footwells positioned to allow standing on rough terrain—something conventional scooters simply don’t accommodate.”
This ability to stand on the footwells while riding proves invaluable on rougher trails, allowing the rider to use their legs as additional suspension and maintain better control. However, the footwell design doesn’t offer the same intuitive foot positioning as proper adventure bike pegs, requiring some adaptation.
The seat deserves special mention for its comfort during extended riding. Broader and more supportive than typical scooter saddles, it proved comfortable even after several hours in the saddle. The passenger accommodation is similarly well-executed, with a secure seating position and well-placed grab handles.
Practical Considerations
Storage capacity, a traditional strength of scooters, remains impressive despite the adventure focus. The underseat compartment easily accommodates a full-face helmet plus additional items, while a front compartment provides convenient storage for smaller essentials. For longer adventures, the accessory catalog includes hard panniers and a top box that integrate neatly with the design.
The standard windscreen provides good protection for highway riding, though riders over 180cm may experience some buffeting at higher speeds. An adjustable mechanism allows for some customization, and aftermarket options are already becoming available for those seeking optimized protection.
Weather protection from the bodywork is generally good, with effective leg shields that keep road spray and wind chill at bay during inclement conditions. This practical consideration significantly enhances the machine’s all-weather versatility compared to conventional motorcycles.
Technical Specifications: Substance Behind the Style
Powering the ZT368G is a 368cc single-cylinder engine producing 36 horsepower and 35 Nm of torque. These figures position it above most urban scooters but below full-sized adventure motorcycles, creating a middle ground that proves surprisingly versatile in practice.
The automatic CVT transmission offers the convenience expected of a scooter, allowing for twist-and-go operation that makes urban riding effortless. While traditional adventure riders might miss the engine braking and control of a manual transmission during off-road sections, the automatic system works better than expected on trails, particularly when using the manual mode that simulates gear ratios.
“The engine character suits the concept well,” notes Michael Rodriguez, a motorcycle technician with experience across multiple brands. “It has enough low-end torque for trail riding but remains smooth and civilized for highway cruising. The refinement level is impressive for the price point.”
During my testing, the engine proved more than adequate for both city commuting and highway travel, with enough power in reserve for overtaking. Fuel efficiency averaged an impressive 3.8L/100km across varied riding conditions, providing a theoretical range of approximately 320 kilometers from the 12-liter fuel tank.
Chassis and Suspension
The chassis represents one of the most significant departures from conventional scooter design. The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoke wheels with tubeless tires represent a serious commitment to off-road capability, offering improved obstacle clearance and impact resistance compared to the smaller cast wheels typical of scooters.
Suspension comes via inverted 43mm forks with 180mm of travel at the front and a rear monoshock with 170mm of travel. These specifications compare favorably with entry-level adventure motorcycles, providing genuine ability to absorb rough terrain.
“The suspension tuning strikes a reasonable balance for the intended use case,” Rodriguez observes. “It’s soft enough to absorb trail obstacles but still provides adequate support for road riding. Higher-speed, more aggressive off-road riding will push beyond its capabilities, but that’s not really what this machine is designed for.”
Braking performance comes from dual 260mm discs with twin-piston calipers at the front and a single 240mm disc at the rear. ABS is standard and can be deactivated for off-road use—a feature that demonstrates Zontes’ understanding of adventure riding requirements.
The Riding Experience: Versatility with Compromises
The true test of any motorcycle concept is how it performs in real-world conditions. During my two weeks with the ZT368G, I deliberately exposed it to a variety of scenarios to test the limits of its versatility, from daily commuting through Melbourne’s traffic to weekend exploration on fire trails in the Yarra Ranges.
In urban environments, the ZT368G offers most of the advantages that make scooters popular commuting tools. The step-through design makes mounting and dismounting convenient, particularly when making frequent stops. The automatic transmission eliminates clutch fatigue in stop-start traffic, while the upright seating position provides excellent visibility.
The taller seat height and increased weight (215kg wet) make the ZT368G somewhat less nimble in tight spaces than conventional scooters, requiring more deliberate low-speed maneuvering. However, the trade-off comes with significantly improved stability at highway speeds, where the larger wheels and longer wheelbase create a planted, confidence-inspiring ride.
Off-Road Capabilities
It’s when venturing beyond paved surfaces that the ZT368G reveals its unique character. On gravel roads and well-maintained fire trails, the adventure scooter feels remarkably capable and secure. The wire-spoke wheels absorb impacts that would potentially damage conventional scooter wheels, while the long-travel suspension smooths out ruts and small obstacles.
“I was genuinely surprised by how competent it feels on rough roads,” admits Mark Wilson, an experienced adventure rider who accompanied me on one testing day. “It’s no dedicated dirt bike, but for the kind of light off-roading most people actually do, it’s more than adequate.”
The limitations become apparent on more technical trails. The weight and automatic transmission make precise control in challenging sections more difficult than with a conventional adventure motorcycle. Steep ascents particularly highlight the CVT’s limitations, as it sometimes struggles to deliver power optimally without the direct connection of a manual clutch.
Ground clearance, while improved over urban scooters, still falls short of dedicated adventure motorcycles. The underslung exhaust and lower bodywork are vulnerable to striking obstacles on rutted tracks, requiring careful line selection.
“It’s best understood as an 80/20 machine,” suggests Wilson. “Perfect for riders who spend most time on roads but want the ability to explore fire trails and easier off-road routes without needing a second vehicle.”
Technology Integration: Modern Expectations Met
One area where the ZT368G particularly impresses is its technology integration, especially considering its price point. The 5-inch TFT display is bright, clear, and intuitive to navigate, providing all essential information at a glance. Bluetooth connectivity allows for smartphone pairing, enabling features like music control, call notifications, and turn-by-turn navigation display.
The keyless operation system works effectively, detecting the key fob in your pocket and allowing ignition without removing it. This convenience feature is complemented by a USB charging port in the front compartment, allowing device charging on the go.
Riding modes (Sport, Standard, and Rain) noticeably alter throttle response and ABS intervention, providing useful customization for different conditions. The lighting system deserves special mention, with powerful LED headlights providing excellent nighttime visibility on unlit rural roads.
“The technology package exceeds expectations for the price point,” notes Rodriguez. “These features would have been reserved for premium models just a few years ago. That they’re now standard on a sub-$10,000 bike demonstrates how quickly technology is democratizing across the industry.”
Ownership Considerations: Value Proposition
For potential buyers, the ZT368G presents an intriguing value proposition. At $9,990 ride away, it offers a feature set and capability that would typically require spending significantly more with established brands. However, the value equation extends beyond the initial purchase to consider long-term ownership factors.
Zontes provides a two-year unlimited kilometer warranty, which, while not class-leading, offers reasonable protection for new buyers. The growing dealer network means that servicing and support are becoming increasingly accessible across Australia, though coverage remains stronger in major metropolitan areas than regional locations.
Parts availability has been a historical concern with newer Chinese brands, but Mojo Motorcycles maintains a substantial inventory of common service items and wear parts. During my discussions with current Zontes owners, parts supply was generally reported as acceptable, with occasional delays for less common items.
“The total cost of ownership appears competitive,” observes Thompson. “Service intervals are 5,000km, which is fairly standard, and the mechanical design is straightforward enough that most maintenance isn’t prohibitively expensive.”
Challenging Conventions Successfully
After extensive testing across varied conditions, the Zontes ZT368G emerges as a genuinely interesting option for riders seeking versatility without maintaining multiple vehicles. It successfully challenges conventional category boundaries, delivering a combination of scooter convenience and adventure capability that proves surprisingly effective in practice.
The compromises are real—it doesn’t match the off-road capability of a dedicated adventure motorcycle or quite achieve the urban nimbleness of a conventional scooter. Yet the middle ground it occupies will perfectly suit many riders, particularly those who primarily ride on-road but occasionally venture onto unpaved surfaces.
For commuters who weekend as adventurers, or rural residents who navigate both sealed and unsealed roads regularly, the ZT368G offers a compelling combination of features at an accessible price point. As the adventure scooter category continues to evolve, the ZT368G demonstrates that innovative thinking from emerging manufacturers can create genuinely useful new options for motorcyclists.
The skeptical dirt bike riders from my trail head encounter ultimately spent nearly 30 minutes examining the ZT368G before departing. Their final assessment perhaps best summarizes the machine’s appeal: “It’s not really my thing, but I can definitely see why someone would want one.” In challenging conventional categories and creating its own niche, the Zontes ZT368G doesn’t need to be everyone’s ideal motorcycle—it simply needs to perfectly suit the riders who recognize what it offers.
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