Dakar 2017? Seriously?

Yes, seriously.   Zongshen knows the best way to wring out a new engine is to race it, and that’s what’s happening here.   The new 450cc engine forms the basis of the Zong 2017 Dakar racebike.   Yep, Dakar.   Hey, why not?

Wow.   And you’re probably wondering…what about the new RX4, the 450cc ADV bike  everybody keeps asking about?  It’s still a long ways off (as in no sooner than a 2018 model, and even that is questionable), but here are a few prototype photos from the EICMA show in Milan…

I was going to go to the EICMA show this year, but duties kept me anchored here in California.   Maybe next year I’ll get to go.