The Zongshen ZS150, Muang Sing, Northern Laos.

Hi all. Maybe you will find this interesting.

This bike is the Zongshen ZS150, a Chinese bike. It is popular ride in some countries in Asia due to how sturdy and cost-effective it is. In particular it is a firm favorite for many farmers who load it up with goods.

This photo is from Muang Sing, Northern Laos, close to the Chinese border. The whole town's road was rubble and dust, broken up badly from the massive oversized and overloaded Chinese trucks trundling through (as it is the only available route from the border to the main cities south of Muang Sing and beyond).

Tons of Chinese construction going on in Laos, and the landscape is beginning to change significantly. Small towns, such as Muang Sing, have become dusty and broken up due to the trucks and the small roadside villages on stilts are sharing space with enormous construction sites. It is quite a contrast to look at one side of a road and see a very simple set up of wooden homes on stilts with crucified bamboo rats being sundried, whilst on the opposite side of the road there is immense colourful but austere metal construction sites, clanging and banging and sending vibrations all over the mountains.

Not sure what the future will be for these villages and towns. If they will benefit or not down the line. Only time will tell.

I wrote about this town and the Boun That Xieng Teung festival that I went to see with GT.Rider David Unkovich, here, if interested: https://www.motogirlthailand.com/muang-sing-bust-crossing-thai-border-riding-laos

As for the bike again, this motorcycle often has it's mirrors removed and roll bars added. Given the road conditions, it is easy to see why, and easy to see why this inexpensive mini tractorish bike is so popular.

The bikes (dubbed, apparently, as "little big bikes") fulfil the needs of local people, looking for something more durable and sturdy than lighter weight scooters.

Zongshen is a Chinese company that produces motorcycles, quad bikes, generators and engines. The company, formed in 1992, is based in Chongqing, China, and has a yearly output of over 1,000,000 motorcycles.

Zongshen also races in various motorcycle championships and is a major competitor in the China Superbike Championship.

I hope to get to visit again when borders re-open.

Safe travels.
My best. :)