Zontes ZT853-R: The Prototype Becomes a 150 hp Streetfighter

• Three-cylinder with 847 cc, 150 hp (110 kW) at 12,500 rpm and 90 Nm at 9,000 rpm
• 10 kg aluminium frame, single-sided swingarm, fully adjustable KYB suspension and Brembo brakes
• Planned as a 2027 model and for Europe, price and market launch still open

Until now, Zontes topped out with its 699 cc three-cylinder making 95 hp. It powers the models of the 703 range, from the 703 RR sportbike to the 703 F adventure tourer. The ZT853-R now takes the next step: a newly developed, larger engine in a chassis of its own. The ZT853-R is one of the new models at EICMA 2026 in Milan and has been explicitly announced as a 2027 model for the European market as well.

What is the Zontes ZT853-R?

The Zontes ZT853-R is a streetfighter-style naked bike with a new three-cylinder engine that sits above the 703-R in the brand’s line-up. It is the production version of the prototype that became known in recent weeks under the working title ZT903-R.

For a long time, there were only design renderings and photos of test bikes on Chinese roads. The only certainty was that the engine is considerably larger than the 699 cc unit and had to be a new design. A displacement of around 900 cc was circulating in China, hence the provisional name. That assumption has not been confirmed: the production engine displaces 847 cc. The model name does not quite match the displacement either, as the ZT853-R is named after 853 cc but actually has 847 cc.

How powerful is the ZT853-R’s three-cylinder?

The inline triple of the ZT853-R is said to deliver 150 hp (110 kW) at 12,500 rpm. Zontes quotes peak torque of 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) at 9,000 rpm.

Zontes also makes ambitious performance claims. From a standstill, the ZT853-R is said to reach 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, with a top speed of around 280 km/h. Both figures come from the manufacturer and still have to be confirmed in independent tests. The electronics play an important role in acceleration, including launch control and wheelie control.

For context: the Yamaha MT-09, the best-known three-cylinder in the middleweight naked class, makes 119 hp. The ZT853-R is therefore clearly ahead in terms of power.

How does the ZT853-R differ from the Zontes 703-R?

The biggest difference is the engine. The 703-R makes 95 hp at 11,500 rpm and around 74 Nm from 699 cc, while the ZT853-R produces 150 hp and 90 Nm from 847 cc. That is 55 hp more.

The two models also go separate ways when it comes to the chassis. The 703-R has a conventional aluminium double-sided swingarm, while the ZT853-R gets a single-sided swingarm. Despite the larger engine, the two are not far apart in weight: according to Zontes, the 703-R weighs 191 kg ready to ride, while the manufacturer quotes 183 kg (403 lbs) for the ZT853-R. Whether this figure is wet or dry is not clear from the information released so far. The fuel tank capacity is not known yet either.

ZT853-R chassis and brakes: 10 kg frame and single-sided swingarm

The aluminium frame of the ZT853-R is a new design. Main frame and subframe are said to weigh just 10 kg combined. At the rear, a single-sided aluminium swingarm holds the wheel.

The suspension comes from Kayaba (KYB) and is fully adjustable front and rear. The upside-down fork has 43 mm stanchions and a DLC coating. DLC stands for Diamond-Like Carbon, a very hard, low-friction surface intended to improve fork response. The front offers 115 mm of travel, while the rear shock has a stroke of 58 mm.

Braking at the front is handled by two floating 310 mm discs and Brembo calipers, complemented by a radial master cylinder, also from Brembo.

What electronics does the Zontes ZT853-R have?

The ZT853-R uses a six-axis IMU, a sensor that measures the motorcycle’s lean angle, acceleration and rotational movements. It forms the basis for cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control.

The throttle is electronic, using ride-by-wire. The equipment also includes a quickshifter for clutchless up- and downshifts, launch control, four-level wheelie control and cruise control. Zontes had already announced cruise control for the 703 models from model year 2027.

ZT853-R equipment and design

Visually, the ZT853-R features sharp-edged lines with full LED lighting and plenty of exposed technology. Short carbon-fibre winglets sit at the front. The fenders and tank cover are made of real carbon as well. Two high-mounted silencers, aluminium clip-on handlebars and a split seat in leather look complete the picture. Footpegs and levers are adjustable.

The wide digital display offers navigation, connectivity and a stopwatch. It also shows the readings from the tyre pressure sensors. With the new Intelligent Control 4.0 operating system and the Zontes 2.0 app, the motorcycle can be unlocked and started via NFC using a smartphone, so a conventional key is not needed. The app can also be used to retrieve vehicle data and the bike’s location.

When will the Zontes ZT853-R arrive and how much will it cost?

So far, Zontes has announced neither a price nor an exact launch date. The only confirmed facts are that the ZT853-R is planned as a 2027 model and is also coming to Europe.

For now, the smaller sibling serves as a reference: the 703-R is available in Spain from 6,488 euros (approx. 7,240 US dollars). There is no official price for Germany yet. How much more the far more powerful and more lavishly equipped ZT853-R will cost remains to be seen.

Frequently Asked Questions