Zontes Panther 125 – £1500 well spent?

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Most commuters are simply looking for something cheap, cheerful and reliable to get them to work and back. If you’re buying new that usually means something of oriental origin. In recent years more and more Far Eastern manufacturers have battled for market share, especially in the budget sector. Many of the dodgy brands (and fly by night traders) have disappeared (thankfully) but last year no fewer than 96 brands of Chinese powered two wheeler were registered in the UK. Unsurprisingly there are still some really bad quality Chinese machines out there but there are also some very good ones. If you shop wisely you can still get a tidy looking, perfectly useful 125 for as little as £1500, complete with dealer back up and warranty. Which brings us nicely on to this Zontes Panther 125.

Zontes Panther

Zontes are distributed in the UK through Clements Moto, the same people who are behind the respected Baotian range of scooters. I’ve ridden quite a few Baotian scooters but this was the first Zontes bike I’ve sampled. You often get a preconceived idea of a bike before seeing it in the flesh and I was expecting some cheap looking bike, after all it costs just £1500 to buy so wasn’t likely to look too pretty up close. Or was it? In actual fact it’s very well finished and although the styling is simple it is quite pretty, which means it’ll not embarrass you if somebody on a more expensive bike pulls alongside. To be honest I was very pleasantly surprised by the whole look and feel of the bike.

The Panther has a nice comfortable riding position with a low seat height, so it’s perfect for novice riders and it starts easily on the button. The new engine was a little bit tight to begin with (as all new bikes are) but it loosened up nicely throughout the day. The Panther has disc brakes, front and rear, which is good news because most budget bikes in this price range just get a simple drum rear brake. The Panther also has twin piggyback rear shocks, they’re adjustable too so that’s another good selling point but they worked well enough on the standard settings. Wheels are 18” front, 17” rear and are fitted with CST rubber, a common budget brand; they grip well enough in the dry but we didn’t get chance to sample them in the wet. Other details include a chrome heat shield on the exhaust and a back up kickstart just in case you need it. There’s also a small but useful rear carrier as standard. Even the colour matched coating on the engine looked like it was painted to last and helped to give the bike a quality looking finish. Instrument wise the Panther has smart looking analogue clocks with a chrome surround. The clocks are easy to read and showed just a tad over 70mph whilst we had it, there’s also a trip meter and rev counter, plus a fuel gauge and gear position indicator (which could do with being a bit brighter). Fuel consumption was good at 80.14mpg; the bike was ridden flat out for most of the day though so could easily be improved.

All in all the Zontes Panther is well priced, well built and rides as good as anything in this price range. I’d say it’s £1500 well spent.

Zontes Panther Tech Spec:

  • Engine: 125cc, 2-valve, air cooled, overhead cam - Max Torque: 11.26nm @ 6500rpm
  • Power: 11.59bhp @ 8000rpm
  • Brakes: Front and rear disc
  • Wheels: Front 3.00/18, rear 110/80/17
  • Seat Height: 755mm
  • Weight: 115kg
  • Dimensions: Length 1980mm, width 730mm, height 1070mm, wheelbase 1280mm
  • Tank Capacity: 15 litres
  • Colours: Black, silver, orange
  • Price: £1499 plus OTR
  • Contact: www.zontes.co.uk

Highway robbery

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We all know that it’s cheaper and more fun to ride a scooter or bike but recent research has proven just how expensive it is to get on the road as a young car driver.

The cost of learning to drive and getting on the road is greater than the average income for most young people, according to road safety charity the IAM. According to a popular price comparison site, the cheapest insurance quote available to a 17-year-old male driver in full-time employment is a massive £7,868.38. The cheapest quote with a telematics box fitted is £4,464.69. Obviously quotes will depend on the area you live etc.

In 2009, the average full-time salary for 16-17 year olds was £9300, which has now fallen by nine per cent, while the cost of learning to drive hasn’t altered. This will result in young people having to rely on their parents or even loan companies to help get them on the road. The total cost of learning to drive, buying a car and getting on the road is £12,345.23 (on average). This figure hasn’t changed by more than a few pounds since last year, when the IAM conducted similar research into the cost of driving.

A breakdown of costs is:

  • Provisional and full UK driving license, £100
  • Average number of driving lessons to pass, £1081
  • Theory and practical driving tests, £106
  • 2007 1.1l Kia Picanto, £3000
  • Tax and MOT, £189.85
  • Fuel and maintenance, £600a year

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “The expense of learning to drive may affect young people’s chances of getting a job, especially in rural areas where it is essential to get to work, creating a vicious cycle. The challenge faced by the government, insurance companies and road safety experts is striking a balance between much-needed experience and manageable costs”.

He said “The IAM is calling for insurance companies to be prepared to respond to fluctuations in earnings, and recognise the value of post-test driver training by rewarding safer drivers with more affordable insurance premiums. It is important for young drivers to do their research and shop around when buying insurance.”

2Commutes says…

Our advice is to stick to two wheels and gain some valuable experience on the road whilst you’re learning to drive. If you can’t afford a car and insurance after passing your test at least your road knowledge will be improving and some insurance companies take into account bike related no claims.

ART Training: Silverstone

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I dare bet that most of you won’t have taken any form of advanced bike training, am I right? It’s thought of as a geeky thing to do when in actual fact it’s the perfect way to learn how to get more out of you and your bike (or scooter) and make you faster and safer.

As motorcyclists/scooter riders, staying safe really is a matter of life or death. One wrong judgement, lack of forward planning or badly executed corner could end in disaster. It’s no good blaming the driver who didn’t see you (or your lack of training) when you’re lying in a hospital bed or on a mortuary slab, so learn how to handle a scooter and how to avoid getting into trouble before it’s too late. Over the coming months we’ll be covering a few different types of advanced training on 2Commute.

Advanced Rider Technique

ART, or Advanced Rider Technique was originally developed for the US Military Marine Corps. The army realised that although it was doing everything in its power to protect its troops it was neglecting their off duty dangerous hobbies, so they called for reinforcements. As a result the world-renowned, California Superbike School (CSS) founder and cornering guru, Keith Code, developed ART and since then it’s been used to train thousands of US troops. Recently it was brought over to the UK for the first time and we were there to have a go…on a Vespa GTS 300 Super. The new half-day course was designed to improve rider confidence and skill levels in a less intimidating environment than a track based day. It’s an ideal introduction to the way the four California Superbike School levels are taught and can be done on any capacity bike, or even a scooter.
Silverstone is the perfect setting for any motor-based activity, acres of flat private land, great facilities and a central location. Unlike the usual CSS courses, which use the racetrack, ART is conducted on a huge Tarmac area close to the track. The course is marked out in what looks like a confusing selection of small marker cones but all becomes apparent once you get out there. My five fellow

Silverstone
The ART course is quite a relaxed affair, there’s a classroom briefing to let you know what you’ll be doing and how the track and flag system works, followed by a couple of laps behind an instructor to show you where the track goes and where the various ‘pit’ areas are where you’ll be waved in for extra tuition. After that you’re into your first 20-minute track session. Overtaking is allowed as long as you’re courteous and leave enough room; so quicker riders won’t be left frustrated. The ART course is based on a stripped down version of the level one CSS day and follows the same basic syllabus with an emphasis on cornering skills. The benefit of this day is that the track is less than a mile long and there are various instructors stationed around it so they can see what you’re doing the whole time. If you’re making a repetitive mistake they’ll radio ahead and pull you into an off track area to give you some extra coaching.trainees (who were on a selection of sports, naked and sports touring bikes) hadn’t done any form of advanced training and only one had been on a track day but all were looking to improve their confidence and gain a better understanding of how a bike works. Personally, I always try to do some kind of advanced training whenever possible and in the past I’ve done a few RoSPA advanced tests, IAM track days, Rapid Training, 90-one Rider Education, Ron Haslam Race School and level one and two of the excellent California Superbike School, all of which are useful and worth doing in their own particular ways.

The first track session is designed to help with stability, which basically comes from using correct throttle control to keep the bike balanced through a corner. To drum it home we weren’t allowed to use our brakes and the bikes had to be kept in second gear, obviously on the scooter gears weren’t a problem but it’s quite daunting not using brakes. You quickly learn to adapt your riding style to get the safe entry, mid corner and exit speed right when you can’t slow down! After each session there’s a quick debrief and chance to ask any questions followed by the next task. The first three sessions were all done without brakes and concentrated on keeping the bike stable through a turn, learning where to look before/during and after a turn etc. For the final two sessions we were allowed full use of the controls but had to put what we’d learned into practice and for three laps we had to look at the outside of the corner rather than the apex, it was amazing to see how much harder it was than looking in the right place and everybody was running wide and going much slower. By the end of the final session it all came together to create a faster, smoother and safer ride, which will translate just as well to the road afterwards.

The ART course lasts half a day (morning or afternoon) and costs just £99. It’s perfect for anybody wanting to improve confidence, speed and safety in a controlled repetitive environment. The next (and final for 2012) session is on October 12th. For more details contact www.superbikescool.co.uk and tell them 2Commute sent you.

Win tickets for Motorcycle Live

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It’s show time in November/December folks and if you want to win tickets to visit the biggest motorcycle and scooter show in the UK Honda are giving you the chance. Just click on the link and fill in the form to be entered into the prize draw.

http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/campaigns/motorcyclelive/

Motorcycle Live 2012 is so much more than a display of the hottest new bikes and the latest accessories, and is just one of the exciting live features at this year’s show. it’s a chance to get fully immersed in every aspect of the world of two wheels – and to discover and experience parts of that world you never thought you would! Take the FREE Yamaha Off-Road Experience for example. A specially-designed indoor motocross circuit run under the watchful eye of trained instructors, it gives road riders the chance to try off-roading for the first time. If you’re already a fledging dirt rider, you can pick up some new skills and improve your technique. It’s a must-try for any adventurous rider looking to broaden their two-wheeled horizon,

The all-inclusive Motorcycle Live ticket gives access to five exhibition halls crammed with all the latest bikes, clothing and accessories and six opportunities to ride a bike, plus non-stop entertainment from some of the biggest names in biking and the BSH/Streetfighters Custom Xtreme Zone, the Yamaha Escape Zone and the Classic Zone in association with Coventry Transport Museum, plus entry into the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena.

Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live 2012 cost just £16 per adult, £10 for seniors and £6 per child. To book your tickets, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk and click ‘Tickets’

New 2013 Shark helmet previews

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Shark have released a sneak-peak of its 2013 collection, with the introduction of eight new colours, just months before next year’s whole collection is revealed. All the new lids also feature PinLock visor inserts for the first time. The full Shark range can be seen at www.shark-helmets.com but here’s a quick look at the highlights.

The Speed-R helmet, was launched last year. The Avenger helmets are both a matt finish, with the designs in either bright orange (see image) on the KOW, or a more subtle white on the WKR. Both designs feature bold blocks of colour and an eagle motif to the side. RRP from £279.99.

Updated for 2012 with a pump fit system was the S900 C, which also features in the preview with Creed. Two very different looks, the KWR has a black base and then the main design in white, while the WOS has a white base and the main design is filled in orange with grey detailing. RRP from £199.99.

Finally, the S600 Exit KVW and Exit Mat KGW. Both featuring bright colourful ‘won’t be missed’ designs, with the KVW leaning towards a more feminine look with pink detailing, while the KGW has green detailing – both on a black base. RRP from £109.99.The popular mid-range S700 S is also featured in the preview with the Legion (see image) and Legion Matt. Both helmets have a black base, with the KRW detailing in red and the KKW Matt in white, the design has a shark’s mouth at the front of the helmet with blocks of colour around the top and sides. RRP From £159.99.