From Apprentice to World Champion:
The Rise of the Zhang Xue Motorcycle Brand and Its Global Breakthrough
A Case Study on the Practical Transition of China’s Motorcycle Industry from “Manufacturing” to “Competition”
Zhang Xue Personal Background and Early Career
(1987–2016)
Zhang Xue’s entrepreneurial journey is a classic example of a “passion-driven” marathon
Starting from humble beginnings
Born in 1987 in a rural village in Huaihua, Hunan. After graduating from middle school at age 14, driven by a deep passion for motorcycles, he began working as an apprentice at a repair shop.
Chasing a Car in the Rain
At the age of 19 (in 2006), in a bid to secure a spot on a professional cycling team, he once rode his bike for over 100 kilometers in the rain, relentlessly chasing after a TV crew’s vehicle. This story later came to be seen as a testament to his tenacity.
First Fortune
In 2013, I arrived in Chongqing with 20,000 yuan. By posting about motorcycle modifications on forums and running an online modification store, I built up my initial capital and established a reputation for my technical expertise.
The Kaiyue Era (2017–2024)
In 2017, he co-founded KOVE Motorcycles. Under his leadership, KOVE’s annual sales surged from a few hundred units to tens of thousands in just a few short years, and he led the first Chinese brand to compete in the Dakar Rally, with the entire team successfully finishing the race.
The Founding and Rise of “Zhang Xue Motorcycles”
(2024–2026)
In early 2024, Zhang Xue left Kaiyue Motorcycles—the company he had founded—with nothing to his name, due to a clash between his **“pure vision”
(such as his insistence on developing expensive, high-performance engines)
and the investors’ pursuit of “commercial profits.”
Brand Launch
In April 2024, he founded “Zhang Xue Motorcycles”, named after himself, in Chongqing. He explained that he chose to name the brand after himself to deeply intertwine his life with the brand.
A R&D Miracle
In 2025, the first sportbike, the Zhangxue 500RR, was delivered. Within just one year, sales exceeded 25,000 units, generating a total output value of 750 million yuan.
Investor Interest
In January 2026, the company completed a Series A funding round of 90 million yuan, reaching a valuation of 1.09 billion yuan. Investors included Zhejiang Venture Capital, which is backed by Zhejiang state-owned capital.
About Us
Aiming for perfection, we let our passion burn bright. From the founder to the engineers, supply chain, quality control, production, and sales teams, every member is a vibrant dreamer and a rider who loves motorcycles. Facing the world, we choose simplicity and purity to provide an unparalleled experience for those who share our passion. As our wheels keep rolling forward, every moment is a wonderful encounter.
Upholding our core values of “Excellence and Passion,” we are dedicated to creating products that deliver “unparalleled quality and an exceptional experience,” while providing “exceptional care” through our pre-sales and after-sales services. We look forward to seeing Zhangxue Motorcycles on roads around the globe in the near future. With our passion for our customers, our products, and our industry, let us become trusted partners.
We are building a cutting-edge brand from every angle, leading the way in industry marketing and services, and delivering greater value in recreational products to our customers.
About the Founder
2006-2008
Stunt Driver and Mechanic for the Chongqing New Sensation Off-Road Racing Team
2009-2012
Product Manager at Zhejiang Apollo Off-Road Factory
2013-2016
Joined the Yellow River Motorcycle R&D and design team, launching models such as the Freedom 300X and 250X; the Freedom 250X is the first motorcycle with electronic fuel injection in China priced under 10,000 yuan.
2017-2024
As a co-founder, he established Tibet Everest Kaiyue Industrial Co., Ltd. and launched major models such as the Kaiyue 450RR, 500X, 800X, and 321RR. The Kaiyue 450RR is the first independently developed mid-displacement four-cylinder track-inspired motorcycle priced under 40,000 yuan.
2024-
As the brand founder and chief designer, he established Chongqing Zhangxue Motorcycle Industry Co., Ltd. and launched the “Zhangxue Motorcycle” brand.
zhang xue
Won 3rd place in the domestic category at the inaugural 2009 Motorcycle Urban Stair Climbing Competition
Won 2nd place in the domestic category at the 2011 Motorcycle Urban Stair Climbing Competition
Won the Excellence Award in the motorcycle category at the inaugural 2013 China Dafeng Coastal Tidal Flat Car and Motorcycle Circuit Rally
Led the Kaiyue Rally Team in the motorcycle category of the 2023 Dakar Rally. This marked the first time a combination of a Chinese brand, a Chinese rider, and a Chinese motorcycle appeared on the Dakar circuit, with these authentic Chinese elements rewriting Dakar history
Douyin Brand Account: Over 1.73 billion views, over 410,000 followers
Douyin Personal Account: Over 130 million views, over 1.1 million followers
A Chronicle of the Victory: Breaking the Monopoly of Europe, the U.S., and Japan
(March 2026)
In late March 2026, Zhang Xue made history with a legendary performance in a top-tier international motorcycle race.
Event Details: WSBK Portuguese Round
Series
The World SSP class (middleweight class, typically 600cc–800cc) under the World Superbike Championship (WSBK)
Results
On March 28 and 29, 2026, the Zhang Xue Motorcycle Factory Team swept both the first and second rounds, securing a double victory.
Model:
Zhang Xue 820RR-RS (equipped with the three-cylinder engine developed by Zhang Xue).
Historical Significanc
This marks the first time a Chinese motorcycle brand has won a round in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK).
It defeated traditional powerhouses such as Ducati, Yamaha, and Kawasaki, which have dominated the series for decades.
French rider Valentin Debise raised the Five-Star Red Flag after the race, sparking a collective outpouring of excitement within China’s motorcycle community.
The success of Zhang Xue Motorcycles is not only a triumph for Zhang Xue’s personal brand, but also a microcosm of the Chinese motorcycle industry’s transition from
“mass production and contract manufacturing”
to “high-performance racing.”