Zontes 350T ADV vs BMW G 310 GS Comparison Review

Highlights

• We pit the Zontes 350T ADV against the BMW G 310 GS
• The Zontes 350T ADV is the new entrant in the entry-level ADV space
• BMW's G 310 GS is a proven motorcycle in the segment

Adventure bikes are running the show! And there has been a slew of those in the more affordable range. Zontes from China is one of the newer brand entrants, with a range of new adventure bikes in the 300-400 cc segment. And yes, the Zontes 350T ADV has made an appearance or two on Car&Bike, but this time around, it won’t be running solo! It goes up against the BMW G 310 GS, the smallest ADV from the Bavarian manufacturer! New entrant, taking on an established rival! It made for a nice, exciting comparison!

Zontes 350T ADV vs BMW G 310 GS: Performance

Getting the numbers out of the way, the 350T ADV has a marginally higher displacement, makes about 4 bhp and 5 Nm more than the G 310 GS. But, the power and torque advantage of the Zontes is nullified by the fact that the BMW is a massive 21 kg lighter. Plus, the baby GS also has a huge advantage of having an extra 47 mm of ground clearance. But enough of gawking at the spec-sheet. Time to ride!

(The Zontes offers better bottom end grunt)

Right from the get-go, it is the 350T ADV that offers good tractability at the bottom end. But as you build up speed, it is the BMW which becomes more enjoyable. The Bimmer has a juicier top-end and a punchier mid-range. But, if you are looking for refinement, look elsewhere, because both these bikes aren’t the most refined in the segment. If high-speed cruising is an important criterion for you, the baby GS is a better bet.

(BMW G 310 GS is better for high-speed cruising)

The BMW engine is free revving, and as long as you keep it spinning above 4,500 revs, the GS feels entertaining to ride. This does mean that you have to work the gearbox in the city often more than you would like to. Out on the highway, the G 310 GS will cruise comfortably at 100 kmph+ speeds. The ride quality is plush, and the seat offers a comfortable ride, although the front does tend to dive under hard braking. The motorcycle feels easier and more engaging to ride.

Zontes 350T ADV vs BMW G 310 GS: Off-Road

(Thanks to its weight and a bigger fuel tank, the 350T ADV feels top-heavy on dirt)

Now, the gearbox on the Zontes isn’t the most refined either and that plays a spoilsport should you want to cover long distances. Sure, it has a bigger 19 litre fuel tank, offering more range than the GS but all that weight also makes the motorcycle a tad top heavy, and it doesn’t help inspire confidence in the rider should one want to hustle the motorcycle through traffic or even when taking it offroad. But yes, the Zontes is a decent touring machine despite its shortcomings.

(The Baby GS feels a more natural when going off the road)

The GS is definitely easier to handle in all situations and offers better feedback in terms of braking. The BMW has been around much longer, and it is a proven motorcycle, with riders taking it to far-flung areas of our country. With that said, it is time to take these bikes off the beaten path.

(The G 310 GS is easier to ride standing up, compared to the Zontes 350T ADV)

The BMW G 310 GS feels more natural while standing up, but only between these two motorcycles that is! A taller handlebar would have been welcome. The Zontes 350T ADV offers less purchase for your knees to grip the tank with and you tend to put more pressure on your arms and shoulders, which could tire you out over a long day of trail riding. That said, the saddle of the 350T ADV is a comfier place to be in.

(Grip from tyres on both motorcycles feels adequate, despite being road biased)

The grip from tyres of both motorcycles is decent, despite being road biased. We suspect that the BMW offers more suspension travel, means it feels more stable when going over the rough stuff. The Zontes is not far behind but it feels heavier and cumbersome to hustle through tough terrain.

Zontes 350T ADV vs BMW G 310 GS: Features

(The Zontes 350T ADV offers a whole bunch of segment first features)

Now! We come to the part where the Zontes has a clear advantage over the BMW! Firstly, the 350T ADV has a nice and crisp 5-inch full colour TFT display, with multiple themes, Bluetooth connectivity and phone mirroring as well, in addition to tyre pressure monitoring system. Plus, there is electric windshield adjustment as well. All these features are exclusive to the Zontes 350T ADV in this segment, and even in a couple of segments above!

(BMW G 310 GS scores low on features, but high on the quality of paint and fit & finish)

In comparison, the BMW only gets a basic LCD display and upside down fork. But, the Bimmer comes across as a better-finished product, with better build and paint quality. The Zontes feels short on quality at some places.

Zontes 350T ADV vs BMW G 310 GS: Design

(The Zontes 350T is definitely the better-looking motorcycle of the two, thanks to its radical design and bold stance)

There is no mistaking that the Zontes 350T ADV has road presence that is much more formidable. The visual mass and the busy design with eye-catching graphics easily overshadow the GS. The ADV beak, futuristic-looking front-end, thick guardrail and the slim twin exhausts make for much more drama and presence than the GS, which looks much tamer in comparison! Grabbing eyeballs is what Zontes does best!

(The BMW G 310 GS looks much tamer in comparison to the Zontes 350T ADV)

Zontes 350T ADV vs BMW G 310 GS: Verdict

So, it is clear that the Zontes 350T ADV trumps the BMW G 310 GS in terms of features and design while the baby GS has an edge in terms of on and off-road performance & dynamics. This road test is quite close! But what also favours the BMW is the significant price difference. The GS is priced at Rs. 3.20 lakh while the Zontes 350T ADV is priced at Rs. 3.67 lakh (ex-showroom). For the price and the performance, plus, the pride of owning a BMW motorcycle, the baby GS wins this one!

(The BMW G 310 GS wins the comparison on account of it offering better performance, better pricing and offering the pride of owning a BMW motorcycle)

Plus, the other big challenge for the Zontes 350T ADV will be to make a name for itself, that too in a segment where there are many formidable rivals in the KTM 390 Adventure and the Royal Enfield Himalayan along with the BMW G 310 GS. The key will be to establish brand presence and recall with the audience. The Zontes brand is off to a decent start, with good products, but there’s still a lot of ground to be covered.

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