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Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Zongshen expected to release two 400cc street bikes soon

Could the Cyclone RC401 and RX401 make it to the Philippine market?

EJ Punsalang EJ Punsalang on Mar 28, 2022
Zongshen expected to release two 400cc street bikes soon

Chongqing Zongshen is a renowned motorcycle manufacturer in China, having been formed in 1992. It has a lengthy history with Suzuki, having finished second in the Endurance World Championship in 2003 and participated in the 2017 Dakar. It also has a manufacturing partnership with Italian manufacturer Piaggio and US two-wheeler giant Harley-Davidson, among other companies.

The Cyclone brand from Zongshen seeks to deliver high-quality models for both domestic and international markets. In reality, some of these models were designed specifically for export to Western markets, primarily Europe. For instance, the RX6 adventure bike, which is equipped with a Norton-sourced engine, was introduced last year and will be available in Europe soon. The RA9 concept, on the other hand, which is based on the now-defunct Aprilia Shiver, was also unveiled, though no details about the bike's release have been revealed.

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What we do know, however, is that Cyclone plans to release the RC401 and RX401, two new mid-displacement bikes. The engine's displacement is clearly represented in the bike's model names, and will likely consist of a liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine with a claimed output of 45 horsepower. The RC401 features unmistakable sportbike styling, and has 17-inch wheels, twin front disc brakes with dual-channel ABS, an upside-down suspension, and a preload-adjustable monoshock. The bike is likely to have a premium aluminum swingarm, and boast an impressive curb weight of 178 kilograms.

Meanwhile, the RX401 takes the form of a burly adventure bike. Its bodywork resembles that of a slew of other small to middleweight adventure motorcycles that have entered the market in recent years—bikes like the Bristol Venturi 500 and Benelli TRK 502. It has the same 45-horsepower twin-cylinder motor as its sportbike sibling, and it rolls on spoked wheels that measure 19 inches in front and 17 inches at the back. As for underpinnings, it gets a KYB inverted fork, a steel trellis frame, and preload-adjustable monoshock.

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