China’s burgeoning motorcycle industry is once again making waves with the emergence of the Cyclone RC700, a new sports bike poised to challenge established models like Honda’s CBR650R. This latest offering from Cyclone, the premium brand under Zongshen, marks a significant step in the company’s expansion into the competitive sports bike market.
Design registration images of the RC700 have surfaced, showcasing a bike that has been in development for some time. Initially introduced as the RC680R in 2023, Cyclone has since refined the model, unveiling the RC700R at various events in 2024. The latest images, labeled simply as ‘RC700,’ suggest a more advanced version, likely nearing production readiness.
Design and Engineering: A Nod to Honda’s Legacy
Much like other Chinese manufacturers, Zongshen appears to have drawn inspiration from Honda’s CB650R/CBR650R four-cylinder engine for the RC700. This engine has already served as a template for several models from competitors such as QJMotor and Benda, which have developed engines with striking similarities to Honda’s design. Key features like the clutch and generator covers, along with the distinctive exhaust layout, indicate a reverse-engineered approach.
The RC700’s predecessors, the RC680R and RC700R, boasted a 674cc capacity and a power output of approximately 100 horsepower. The new model is expected to maintain these specifications but introduces notable changes in chassis and styling.
Innovative Chassis and MotoGP-Inspired Styling
Departing from the earlier beam frame designs reminiscent of the Honda CBR650R, the RC700 features a novel chassis. It combines a tubular front section with a cast alloy rear part that secures the swingarm pivot. The swingarm itself is a fresh design, crafted from cast aluminum with a robust underslung brace, necessitating a redesigned exhaust system. This new exhaust exits from twin, stacked silencers high on the right side, contrasting with the previous belly-mounted silencer configuration.
Stylistically, the RC700 draws heavily from MotoGP aesthetics, featuring prominent front winglets and a front mudguard that extends to enclose the four-pot, radial-mount brakes. The front end sports a small, central headlight flanked by large air intakes, a departure from the dual, side-by-side headlights of earlier prototypes.
Zongshen’s Ambitious Expansion Plans
While Cyclone represents Zongshen’s high-end brand, offering models like the RX650 adventure bike and the upcoming RA1000, the company’s global presence lags behind rivals such as CFMoto and QJMotor. In China, however, Cyclone is a formidable competitor, with plans to extend its reach into European and other international markets in the coming year.
The RX650, for instance, is built around a liquid-cooled parallel twin engine initially developed for the Norton Atlas 650 models, which were shelved following Norton’s financial troubles and acquisition by India’s TVS. Similarly, the RA1000 features a 996cc V-twin derived from the Aprilia Shiver, showcasing Cyclone’s strategy of leveraging existing designs to accelerate development.
Implications for the Global Motorcycle Market
The introduction of the Cyclone RC700 underscores the rapid evolution of China’s motorcycle industry, which is increasingly capable of producing models that rival those from established brands in Europe and Japan. As Chinese manufacturers continue to refine their engineering and design capabilities, the global market could see a shift in competitive dynamics.
According to industry analysts, the entry of models like the RC700 could pressure established brands to innovate further and potentially adjust pricing strategies to maintain market share. The growing presence of Chinese motorcycles in international markets may also lead to increased consumer choice and competitive pricing.
As Zongshen and its Cyclone brand prepare to expand globally, the RC700 serves as a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and its ambition to become a significant player in the sports bike segment. The coming year will be crucial in determining how well these plans materialize and the impact they will have on the industry at large.
