ZXMOTO coming to Australia and New Zealand
Thanks to their rapid success in this year’s FIM Supersport World Championship, ZXMOTO is a name that should be familiar to Aussies and Kiwis by now. Riders in the Antipodes will get to know a lot more about ZXMOTO, as the Chinese brand is coming to both markets in 2026.
Urban Moto Imports (UMI), who’ve already enjoyed great success in Australia and New Zealand with Royal Enfield and Benelli, will add ZXMOTO to their import portfolio that also includes Super Soco, Peugeot Motocycles, Rieju, Torrot and Segway Powersports.
UMI says the agreement with ZXMOTO is a long-term partnership that represents “a significant shift in the world of motorcycling, and for the Australian [and NZ] motorcyclist,” with the initial six-model range for Australia and New Zealand described as “dynamic, purpose-built machines”.
“ZXMOTO is a brand with serious momentum, a clear focus on performance and passion, and a product range that we believe will genuinely surprise people,” said UMI CEO, Jospeh Elasmar.
“Seeing the ZXMOTO operation first-hand gave us real confidence in the brand. The factory, facilities and team all point to a manufacturer with serious capability and a strong future ahead.”
Fast Mover
ZXMOTO was founded by Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Xue in 2024. A former motorcycle mechanic, motocross racer and stunt rider, Xue stepped into the manufacturing space as a Product Manager for Chinese brand, Apollo, from 2009 to 2012. He then developed small-capacity ‘Freedom’ motorcycles for Huanghe Moto from 2013 to 2016 before co-founding Kove Moto in 2017.
At Kove, off-road bikes were the main products, entered in several editions of the Dakar Rally. Road bikes were also produced, with the brand represented in World Supersport 300 until that category was dissolved at the end of 2025. Like ZXMOTO, Kove are set to make their Australian debut this year.
Since their launch, ZXMOTO has hit the ground running, with a global debut at EICMA last year, followed by a factory entry in the 2026 Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP) with the 820RR-RS. Of the first ten races in WorldSSP this year, ZXMOTO has won five, all achieved by Valentin Debise for the Eastroc ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory team. Only DNFs have prevented Debise from leading the championship at time of writing.
ZXMOTO will also enter MXGP this year, followed in 2027 by selected rounds of the World Rally Raid Championship with a bike based on their 450 Rally, then the Dakar Rally in 2028.
820 Triple - 820RR Sports
The 820RR that leads the ZXMOTO lineup for Australia and New Zealand is powered by an 819cc three-cylinder engine with dual (oil and liquid) cooling. Based on international ZXMOTO data, the triple produces 99kW at 12,000rpm and 80Nm at 9,500rpm. On top of this, there’s a 107kW 820RR-R and a 111kW RR-RS that’s the basis of ZXMOTO’s WorldSSP entry. These variants are not part of UMI’s local plans for now.
Electronic throttle control, a quick-release air filter, wet-plate slipper clutch, up-down quickshifter, fully adjustable front and rear suspension, dual 320mm front brake discs with four-piston calipers, an integral steering damper, keyless starting and five riding modes (three preset, two customisable) feature on the 820RR internationally, but whether all of these features will apply to the Aus/NZ market is TBC. Same goes for rake and anti-squat adjustability that’s mentioned in ZXMOTO data.
Seat height is 825mmm and fuel capacity 19 litres, while extensive use of aluminium and magnesium alloy components result in a kerb weight of 193kg.
The engine and chassis from the 820RR form the basis for ZXMOTO’s 820R naked and 820ADV adventure tourer. Both were present at EICMA last year, but neither are in UMI’s initial release for Australia and New Zealand.
ZXMOTO 820RR – key features*
Engine: 819cc triple
Max Power: 99kW @ 12,000rpm
Max Torque: 80Nm @ 9,500rpm
Transmission: N/A
Fuel Capacity: 18lt
Seat Height: 825mm
Kerb Weight: 193kg
* International data – may not apply to Aus/NZ market
500 Fours – 500RR Sports and 500F Naked
ZXMOTO’s four-cylinder offerings confirmed for the Aus/NZ markets are the 500RR sportsbike, which is a scaled down 820RR, and the 500F, which is a retro-look naked with Honda-inspired styling. Both are powered by a liquid-cooled 470cc DOHC inline four, and while outputs are yet to be confirmed, they’ll likely be 62kW for the 500RR, and 54kW for the 500F. These figures exceed the threshold for LAMS approval in Australia, although UMI says a model for learner riders will come in the future.
The 500RR (of which more than 10,000 have already been built) features a steel trellis frame, single-sided swingarm, fully adjustable front and rear suspension, clip-on handlebars, 17-inch alloy wheels, semi-slick tyres, cornering-enhanced ABS (controlled via a 6-axis IMU), dual 300m front brake discs with four-piston calipers and a 220mm rear disc with two-piston caliper, 15-litre fuel tank, 800mmn seat height and 168kg kerb weight.
Compared to the 500RR, the 500F runs a reduced compression ratio, conventional two-sided swingarm and single-piston rear brake caliper, but other mechanical elements are mostly the same. Switchable traction control is fitted, with the 500F’s retro vibe evidenced by a megaphone muffler and polished engine detailing. The bodywork and fuel tank design continues the theme. Dual analogue gauges flank an LCD insert, while the headlight is circular with an LED DRL.
Conventional handlebars make for more relaxed ergonomics compared to the 500RR, with the 500F’s colours and detailing less aggressive, too. At 795mm, the 500F’s seat height is fractionally lower than the 500RR, but fuel capacity increases to 15.5 litres, with wet weight of 175kg.
As with the 820RR figures and features, information presented here on the 500RR and 500F is based on international ZXMOTO data and may not apply to locally-released models.
ZXMoto 500RR – key features*
Engine: 470cc inline four
Max Power: 62kW @ 13,500rpm
Max Torque: 46Nm @ 11,500rpm
Clutch: Wet, multiplate slipper
Transmission: N/A
Fuel Capacity: 15lt
Seat Height: 800mm
Kerb Weight: 168kg
* International data – may not apply to Aus/NZ market
ZXMoto 500F – key features*
Engine: 470cc inline four
Max Power: 54kW @ 11,000rpm
Max Torque: 48Nm @ 9,500rpm
Clutch: Wet, multiplate slipper
Transmission: N/A
Fuel Capacity: 15.5lt
Seat Height: 795mm
Kerb Weight: 175kg
* International data – may not apply to Aus/NZ market
Off-Road and MX
ZXMOTO’s off-road range for Australia and New Zealand includes the 450 Rally, which is a Dakar-inspired enduro model, powered by a liquid-cooled 449cc single producing an estimated 31kW and 35Nm, with top speed in the 170km/h range. A ZX300 2-stroke enduro will come later.
Two MX models – a 250 and 450 – complete the launch lineup for Australia and New Zealand. These are broadly similar to the Kove Moto MX250 and MX450, with what appears to be the same frame and engine, but different brakes, plastics and detailing.
Specs for the MX450 had not been revealed at time of writing, but the MX250 is powered by a 250cc liquid-cooled single, producing 30kW at 12,500rpm. Other features include a five-speed transmission, cable clutch, fully adjustable KYB suspension, wave brake discs front and rear, a 21/19-inch spoked wheel combo and 6.5-litre fuel tank. Seat height is 960mm, and dry weight is 105kg.
These specs have also been taken from the ZXMOTO global site and may not necessarily apply to bikes for the Australian and New Zealand market.
Spring Arrival
Now in their 15th year in the motorcycle business, UMI will draw on that experience and a 100+ dealer network across Australia and New Zealand to bring ZXMOTO to Aussie and Kiwi riders.
The launch range will be backed by technical support and a spare parts infrastructure to ensure a “strong ownership experience” from day one.
Release is expected this Spring, with further details, including full specs and pricing, to be announced closer to Aus/NZ launch. Until then, expressions of interest – from customers and dealers - are being taken at: https://zxmotoaustralia.com.au
