Cyclone to Sweep Through Europe - Starting in Spain

Zongshen is to set foot in Europe this winter, via its premium subsidiary Cyclone, and its three bike range of small and mid-capacity motorcycles.

The brand already has a claimed 32 places set up and ready to sell bikes in the region, although it’s aiming for a total of 50 by the end of the year. It’s also looking to expand the range and is said to be adding scooters, trail bikes, neo-retros, customs, sports and naked bikes to the line-up.

The current range available to Spanish riders comprises two 125cc bikes and one 400cc A2 model. The 125s come in the shape of the Battle and the RX1. The Battle is an aggressively styled naked bike, bearing a resemblance to the Yamaha MT125. It’s claimed to produce 12.9bhp, has a 765mm seat, has a tank volume of 13 litres and weighs in at 149kg. The RX1 is a lightweight adventure style commuter motorcycle. It is claimed to produce 12.6bhp, has a seat height of 780mm, a fuel tank volume 14 litres and weighs in at 175kg including the panniers.

The biggest bike in the current Cyclone range is the RX4. Visually it looks similar to the RX1, although powering the A2 contender is a 401cc 8-valve twin-cylinder engine. It’s claimed to pump out 36.2bhp, has an 810mm seat, an 18 litre tank and tips the scales at 215kg.

The move into Spain is a sensible option for a manufacturer looking to make waves in the European bike market. Given that two-wheeler sales in the nation are strong, it’s a good way to get a foot in the European door before expanding into new territories. Where those territories are and when Cyclone will look to move into them remains to be see.

Sitting above Cyclone and Zongshen is the Zonsen Group, which was founded in 1982. Within the portfolio are three of China's largest motorcycle manufacturing companies, 30 of the largest companies in the Chinese automotive industry, and a claimed 500 of the biggest Chinese manufacturing companies.