Meeting the Machine
The first time you lay eyes on the Zontes ZT310-T, you don’t just see a motorcycle — you see potential. A blend of modern engineering and rugged design, this bike is built to handle both the streets and the dirt. This chapter takes you through that very first contact — the moment you become one with the machine — and how to begin the journey of proper ownership and maintenance.
Your Zontes ZT310-T: Ready for a long journey.
Ownership Philosophy
Before diving into oil changes or chain lubrication, we need to ground ourselves in a mindset — one that respects the machine as both a beast of burden and a partner. Maintenance isn’t just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about bonding with the machine, learning its habits, its quirks, and ultimately gaining the confidence to rely on it in any terrain or condition.
“A well-maintained motorcycle speaks to you. It hums at idle, it breathes on acceleration, and it trusts you as much as you trust it.”
Pre-Ride Checks: Your Daily Ritual
Every good mechanic develops a routine. Before any ride, there are critical components that deserve a glance. This doesn’t take more than 5 minutes and can save you hours of frustration later.
1. Visual Inspection
- Walk around the bike slowly.
- Check for leaks under the engine or rear shock.
- Inspect the tire tread and look for damage or nails.
- Check brake pads — make sure you have enough meat on them.
2. Fluids
Your Zontes has several fluids you’ll want to check frequently:
- Engine Oil: Check the oil level via the sight glass on the right side. The bike should be upright and level.
- Coolant: Remove the fairing if needed and inspect the coolant level inside the overflow reservoir.
- Brake Fluid: Look through the sight windows on the front and rear master cylinders.
Inspecting fluid levels is a habit that will extend the life of your Zontes.
3. Chain Tension & Lubrication
The chain is your direct link to power. A too-loose or too-tight chain can cause excessive wear or even damage.
- Measure chain slack — Zontes recommends ~20-30mm.
- If needed, adjust using the rear axle adjusters.
- Apply chain lube every 500km or after riding in the rain.
Warming Up the Engine
On a cold start, it’s tempting to let the bike idle for 5 minutes while you sip your coffee. But your Zontes doesn’t need that.
- Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
- Use that time to gear up and check your lights.
- Ride off gently — avoid hard throttle until the engine is warm.
In colder climates (below 5°C), let it idle for a maximum of 2 minutes before riding slowly. Over-idling wastes fuel and leads to carbon buildup.
Proper Shutdown Procedure
At the end of every ride, it’s good practice to follow a small ritual:
- Let the bike idle for 30 seconds if you were riding hard.
- Kill the engine using the key (not the kill switch if storing).
- Cover the bike if parking outdoors.
Building Your Workshop Space
You don’t need a fancy garage. All you need is a small space that’s clean, dry, and organized.
- A center stand or paddock stand helps a lot.
- Get a quality 3/8” socket set, Allen keys, chain cleaner, microfiber towels, and a good torque wrench.
- Keep a logbook of maintenance.
Conclusion
The journey has just begun. In this chapter, we’ve bonded with our machine. We’ve developed a daily ritual and learned to treat our motorcycle as a system — where everything depends on everything else. In the next chapter, we dive deeper — into the beating heart of the ZT310-T: the engine.