Summary
- Chinese manufacturer Zeths creates a copycat of the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST.
- The Zeths Vincent features a 316cc V-twin engine with 31.5 horsepower, lighter than Harley’s Milwaukee Eight powerhouse.
- Despite being a good 300-400cc cruiser, the Vincent 316’s “copycat” nature overshadows its pros, as Zeths doesn’t operate in North America.
Not even Chinese bikemakers can deny their constant attempts to clone globally popular models and make money off them. That’s how bad the situation is. Sure, some companies like CFMoto and Voge do try to do their own things, but the deeper you dive into the Chinese market, the more clones you’ll come across. We recently did the latter and came across a saddening clone. This time, the victim is the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST.
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The Zeths Vincent 316 Tries To Look Exactly Like The H-D Low Rider ST
The motorcycle in context comes from Chinese bikemaker Zeths–a company that excels at building affordable retro bikes. Its new Vincent 316 is a complete rip-off of the Low Rider ST no matter which angle you look from. Up top, you get a shark-nose-type fairing. It houses aerodynamic cutouts and a round headlight just like the Harley, along with similarly shaped mirrors and windscreen. Even the fender appears identical.
Then, there’s the middle and rear section. The former comprises a scooped single-piece saddle and a peanut-shaped fuel tank, topped with a strip in between mimicking the ST. The tank capacity is 3.7 gallons, though–1.3 less than the real deal.
In the meantime, the latter probably shouts Low Rider the loudest. Credit here goes to the dual-shotgun-style exhausts, two hard saddlebags, and a chopped rear fender. All of it is blacked out to further amp up the aesthetics. As deep as the reminiscence goes, there are fine differences.
For instance, the tail lamp and plate mount are simpler than the Harley-Davidson while the wheels have a different pattern. Oh, and the Vincent’s cockpit comprises a handlebar-mounted digital color instrument cluster. It also has fairing cutouts to house JBL speakers (sold as accessories). The Harley has a small LCD readout in comparison.
The Zeths Vincent 316 Has A V-Twin Engine With 31.5 Horsepower
Looking like a Harley is one thing, but Vincent couldn’t infuse its cruiser with the “feeling” of a Harley-Davidson. That’s because this one employs a much smaller 316cc V-twin engine over the ST’s Milwaukee Eight 117ci powerhouse. The mill is good for 31.5 horsepower and 19 pound-feet. Although much less than the 100-HP Harley, it’s a figure that puts it in a strong position against other 300cc cruisers like the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and the Honda Rebel 300.
Also likable are the underpinnings. The engine sits inside a double-cradle chassis, suspended onto upside-down forks and a monoshock. This is topped by alloy wheels that house single-disc brakes at each end and dual-channel ABS. The entire package weighs in at 430 pounds–66 pounds more than the Rebel.
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All in all, it’s safe to say this is a clear-cut rip-off of the Low Rider ST. Yes, the specifications make it a good 300-400cc cruiser in the market, but its “copycat” nature overshadows the pros. You should also know Zeths doesn’t operate in North America as of now. So if you like this, you’ll just have to import one.
Key Highlights Of Zeths Vincent 316
- Low Rider ST inspired design
- Dual saddlebags
- All-LED lights
- Digital instrument cluster
- 316cc V-twin engine
- 31.5 horsepower and 19 pound-feet
- Double-cradle chassis
- USD forks and monoshock
Source: Zeths
