Zongshen Cyclone Prototype At 2009 CIMA
Kevin Duke took a trip out to the 2009 CIMA Motor Show in Chongqing, China and just published the first of a Motorcycle.com 3 part series on the 27 motorcycle manufacturers in attendance. Footage of the Loncin, Lifan, Shineray, Qingqi, Haojue, Xgjao, CFMoto and others were highlighted in the first video clip.
Most interesting was a picture of a prototype Zongshen Cyclone that takes styling queues from the Suzuki Gladius 650 and Kawasaki ER6N. It features USD forks, wave rotors and a liquid cooled single cylinder engine I am guessing displaces 500cc. This would be high displacement for a Chinese motorcycle. However there has been a push for larger displacements in the Chinese market. It has some nice details including under seat exhaust and integrated turn signals. This is a big departure from the usual parts bin fair that usually adorns Chinese bikes.
I am looking forward to more information on this bike and the rest of the MO series on the CIMA show.
Source: Motorcycle.com
Bajaj KTM Prototype 250 Singles?
Indian motorcycle and auto manufacturer Bajaj is best known in the two wheeled world for Pulsar series. Not so well known is their size and 25% stake in KTM. Bajaj motorcycles are mostly smaller in size and more functional than performance minded. This makes the partnership with KTM a very interesting one. Bike India has pictures of some recent Bajaj prototypes by Xenophya Studios based on a 250cc single. Xenophya are the same people who modeled the Glynn Kerr designed the Fischer MRX650. Could this be the first product of a marriage between KTM and Bajaj? Let’s hope so. With a KTM four stroke single these great looking bikes could be a hit in any country. Keep an eye on Bajaj Forum for more discussion about KTM and Bajaj.
Vento Announces 400cc Triple for 2008
Vento announced development of a 3 cylinder, air/oil cooled 400cc engine that marks a departure from importing their engines from China. It will appear in 2008 model ATV’s and Motorcycles. The idea is to create a versatile engine that can be used in many motorcycles and to have greater control of its quality and power characteristics.
This news is a double edged sword for Vento. In a way it acknowledges engine quality is lacking in bikes they currently sell. This is not a huge deal and probably wont’ have a big impact on sales. It does set them apart from American importers who simply rebadge inexpensive motorcycles from China, Korea or Taiwan. It is great to see they went with a unique engine configuration. This combined with its versatility and compact design should give them a lot of options for unique models.
The Kneeslider mentions Bienville Studios is the design team involved in creating the engine. These are the same guys who designed the Confederate Hellcat and Wraith. Sketches of prototype Ventos place the rear shock under the engine displaying how compact the design really is. I am excited to see what Vento releases in 2008.
