Zhang Xue's Motorcycle "Newbie Ban" Sparks Debate; Ministry of Public Security Backs Safety底线

Zhang Xue Motorcycles has seen soaring popularity for its 820RR sport bike following its championship win in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK). The motorcycle delivers a peak output of 135 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.81 seconds, with a starting price of RMB 43,800. To ensure rider safety, the company prohibits individuals with less than one year of driving experience from purchasing the bike and encourages the public to report unauthorized sales—offering a RMB 5,000 reward for verified reports. This policy triggered customer complaints to market regulators and was briefly misreported as requiring corrective action. The Liangjiang New Area Market Supervision Administration in Chongqing clarified that it had only sought to understand the situation and had not ordered any penalties. Founder Zhang Xue candidly acknowledged the policy might reduce sales by around 10%, stating, “I’d rather sell fewer bikes if it means saving a few lives.” On April 1, China’s Traffic Management Bureau under the Ministry of Public Security published an article praising the company’s commitment to safety, noting, “True passion lies in understanding boundaries.” Since then, Zhang Xue Motorcycles has experienced a surge in orders—the 820RR’s sales have tripled, and its Douyin followers have grown by nearly 2 million in just half a month.