Zongshen ZS150 Minibikes Near Production

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The Zongshen ZS150 B is a retro-styled, 150cc Grom competitor. (Zongshen/)

Whether you look back to the original Honda Monkey of 1961, or the success of the Grom over the last decade, there has long been a demand for affordable two-wheelers that make fun their top priority. Now China’s manufacturers are catching on, and hot on the heels of the retro-styled CFMoto Papio CL and SS (both available in the US now) its rivals at Zongshen are preparing their own versions of the idea.

The company has filed Chinese type-approval documents for a pair of 149cc air-cooled singles that each carry the name ZS150 and “Zonsen” branding—a name that Zongshen is pivoting toward on its bikes as they’re increasingly offered outside China. However, there’s a prominent, cartoonish illustration of a panda on each bike’s tank badge, suggesting they might get a more appealing title when they’re launched into the market. In the US, a selection of Zongshen’s existing models—up to and including the Norton-engined, 650cc RX6 twin—are offered under the CSC Motorcycles name, opening the door for these new machines to come to these shores if it makes financial sense.

Related: The Chinese Connection

This version of the ZS150 looks more like the Honda Monkey or CFMoto Pappio CL. (Zongshen/)

The type-approval documents include all the main specifications for the two models. Like the CFMoto Papio CL and SS, one is a trail-style machine while the other is a caricature of a retro sportbike, but under the skin they’re identical. Their single-cylinder engines have a 57mm bore, matching that of the Papio, but where the CFMoto has a 49.4mm stroke the Zongshen bikes have a throw of around 58.4mm to reach a 149cc total capacity. The extra 13cc over the 126cc CFMoto machines helps the Zongshens to a peak of 10.5 hp, a fraction more than the 9.4 hp of the Papio.

They’re a little heavier than the CFMoto machines though, with the trail-style model coming in at 264 pounds and the racer version weighing 267 pounds. By comparison the two Papio models each weigh 251 pounds ready to ride. Like the CFMotos, the Zongshen ZS150s each use 12-inch wheels wrapped in 120/70 rubber at the front and 130/70 at the rear. Suspension is by upside-down forks up front and monoshocks at the rear, again aligning with the CFMotos, and the brakes have discs at each end, with standard ABS.

Related: Mini Bikes

Honda’s Monkey was instantly a hit when it was reintroduced in 2018. (Honda /)

When it comes to appearance, the naked version of the ZS150 takes its inspiration from machines like Honda’s Monkey and Gorilla, giving a more ‘60s or ‘70s vibe than the 1980s-inspired Papio CL, but there are modern touches including the distinctive headlight design that features an open hoop of LED running lights above a tiny main light unit. The faired version, carrying the word “Vintage” on its fairing, actually looks less old-fashioned. The addition of side panels and a single-seat tail unit, plus lower, narrower bars with bar-end mirrors, makes for an intriguing style that has a hint of steampunk-style retrofuturism about it.

The CFMoto Pappio SS is already for sale in the US. (CFMoto/)

Both bikes are illustrated with a few optional extras including enclosed disc wheels as an alternative to the standard wire-spoked alloys, while the trail version is also shown with a choice of rear treatments, with either a flat-track-style number board or a more rugged-looking grab rail at the back. It’s clear the bikes are ready for imminent launch, though there will probably be a delay between hitting the market in China and any plans for exporting them to other markets.

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[Ian Frog]

Is that tank logo the king foo panda ffs ?

Cheers

Ian