Zongshen RX3: My First Excursion in the Dirt
 

Yesterday I took my new Zongshen RX3 for a 131-mile ride to experience it's first excursion in the dirt. It was a cloudy day which threatened to rain, but I made it home without getting wet. :tup:

The day started out fairly warm, but I knew it would be colder when I was returning. Therefore, I was going to carry my heated jacket on the luggage rack with bungee cords. However, I decided to install the stock trunk instead. ;) The stock trunk is very light, and is great for carrying extra jackets, rain gear, cameras, et cetera, in a secure, waterproof enclosure. My jacket, as well as my camera and extra batteries were easily accessible, and my jacket was much more secure inside the travel trunk, rather than being attached to the luggage rack with bungee cords. :tup:

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The RX3 did a good job in the dirt. :tup: The bike was only limited in the dusty soil by the stock tires, which still performed adequately. :) The forks definitely need heavier oil for a stiffer rebound damping. ;) I hope CSC will be stocking the upgraded forks, which feature rebound damping adjustment. In the meanwhile, I will be swapping the stock fork oil with ATF in the next few days. ;)

Incidentally, the trucking company performed some cosmetic damage to the muffler heat shield and right passenger foot peg on my RX3 during its transit to Idaho. :wtf: I reported the damage to the shipper and to Steve at CSC. Fortunately, the bike runs great, and I am content to await the settlement and replacement parts. :)

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Stunning photos Spud,

Seriously jealous of the great landscape you get to ride.

Not much of this kind of thing around here. I guess with the UK probably being small enough to fit into your back garden it's no wonder :D

Looking forward to reading your updates :)

Sucks about the transit damage, at least its only cosmetic and you can still ride :tup:

Is the trunk a bolt-on deal, or is it a quick-release, like a Givi?

How do the RX3 fork dimensions compare with your Sierra? Would they slide right into the triples? What is the OD and length?

Gosh you have some lovely scenery to ride!
Keep meaning to make it up to Idaho to explore.

Looking forward to reading about your upgrades and mods :) I foresee asking many questions and learning lots!

Was there visible damage to the boxes when they were delivered? they must have really munged the boxes to manage to scuff the bike like that inside!!

Thank you, Kat. :) All is well; CSC is shipping me a new heat shield and foot peg today. :tup:

The stock trunk quickly attaches, and detaches via three, Allen head bolts. Therefore, I can easily remove the travel trunk in a minute or so. :tup: I plan to install the mount for my JC Whitney Travel Trunk using the same three bolts. Therefore, I can quickly switch between the two trunks. :)

The stock trunk is very light, and offers much more protection and security for its contents than a luggage rack. :tup: The JC Whitney Travel Trunk is much heavier, but it offers much more storage for trips, has a handle, and is easily removed for transport into a motel room, tent, et cetera. :)

Needless to say, I have been preoccupied with assembling, riding, and enjoying my new RX3. ;) However, I will soon measure the forks, and I will also post more information regarding the sprockets. :)

Thank you. :) I have several tips regarding the assembly of the bike, which I will soon post. We are glad you joined us, and we are happy to answer your questions.

It is very easy to inspect the shipping container for damage. If the cardboard is broken, the contents are possibly damaged. I quickly saw pretty extensive damage to the cardboard on the right side of the shipping crate. The shipping companies are frequently in a rush to move cargo, and they damage items in their haste. :tdown: Fortunately, these shipping crates are very strong, and the damage was both minor, and cosmetic. :tup:

CSC is shipping me a new heat shield and foot peg, today. :)

I can't wait to look at the pics at home on my computer, cell phones just don't do the mountains justice! :) Bike looks fantastic Spud, I still say orange is the most photogenic!

Thank you, Stew. :)

As everyone knows, orange is the most attractive, fastest, and most dirt-worthy color. ;)

:hehe:

Thanks for the ride report and photos Spud, most informative. I spent about a year and a half in Boise on a project and got to sample much of your tarmac, but none of the dirt (at least not on a bike). Although I have owned 2 KLR650's in the past, my dirt riding skills are limited, but I did take the RX-3 out yesterday on some dirt and was very pleased. Now I need more practice and then return to ID and explore some more.

I'll say it again--this totally reminds me of your first reports on the Sierra after buying it in a crate for $950 and assembling it!

It is like Sierra 2.0 or Sierra Part II, Sierra Remix... :)

...and it's even orange!! ;)

Idaho is gorgeous, before Spud's reports I never had any idea it looked like that :). I'm anxious to see how long it takes to wear those stock tires out and see what knobbies are chosen for it next! :tup:

heh - there is lots of dirt to explore between Arizona and Idaho ;)
Both Arizona and UT have a lot of dirt roads that I imagine are surrounded by beautiful scenery :D

You've put your finger on the reason that I bought the RX-3........the dirt. Now I have a bike I can control, have confidence in and can depend on. I'm very fortunate to live within 5 minutes of dirt roads that can take me to Prescott, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. Look out Idaho, here I come :yay:

Yesterday I went for my second ride in the dirt on my Zongshen RX3. The previous ride I did not adjust the rebound damping of the shock absorber. Before this ride I inspected the rebound damping, and discovered it had 16 settings, numbered from fastest to slowest. The bike arrived with the shock adjusted to setting #4. Before this I ride I immediately adjusted the rebound damping to a slower setting of #11. I then rode some pavement before I arrived at the off road portion of my ride.

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I am a heavier rider, and the slower rebound setting was much more comfortable, and smoother for me riding the pavement. Arriving at a gravel rode, I rode a little bit before I adjusted the rebound damping to an even slower setting of #13.

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I weigh more than 200 pounds, and the ride was even more comfortable for me at the yet slower setting. I then reached a short section of pavement before I headed onto some fire roads.

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Reaching the fire roads, I set the rebound damping to its slowest setting of #16. I rode of the rest of the ride with the rebound damping set at this level, and I am going to keep it there. ;) The RX3 performed much better for me with the slowest rebound damping of the shock absorber. Lighter riders will probably choose a faster setting. Personally, I intend to lose some weight. :hehe:

The rebound damping adjustment of the shock absorber works well, and is a very nice feature. :) The primary suspension issue which needs to be addressed is the short suspension travel (5.1 inches), and the fast rebound damping of the forks. The rebound damping can be slowed by filling the forks with a heavier fork oil. I intend to start my experimentation with Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF, which has a viscosity of 28.2 cSt at 40 degrees Celsius. This is roughly equivalent to a fork oil viscosity of 7.5W, and will give me a yardstick from which to measure the stock fork oil. ;)

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Even with it's somewhat limited suspension, the Zongshen RX3 can reach a lot of nice scenery. The bike can climb moderately steep, rocky fire roads, even with the stock sprocket ratio of 14T/44T. Therefore, I am inclined to keep the stock sprocket ratio, which performs superbly on pavement, and quite adequately off road. The following photographs show me descending the fire road I had ascended to reach the previous viewpoint. :)

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In the next photograph, I am making the final descent from the viewpoint. Ahead of me, past the power line, is the fire road I traveled before climbing to the location of the photograph.

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The Zongshen RX3 is very fun to ride on pavement, gravel roads, and dirt roads. :tup: The bike is definitely a better performer on these surfaces than on fire roads. ;) However, if you are willing to stand up, slow down, and work the clutch, you can negotiate just about any fire road you might reasonably wish to tackle. Nevertheless, in these situations, expect to get a good physical workout. ;)

Descending westward into the next valley, I rode a fire road across a grain field before I returned to the pavement, and headed home.

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Congratulations on your new bike Spud. :) You finally got it. The bike looks fantastic. Very happy for you and wishing you many happy miles enjoying it. Looking forward to more pics of the bike and beautiful Idaho. :tup:

Thank you, Pliskin. :) If you have time, please post a ride report with photos of your beautiful yellow/black Zong in its native habitat.

For 2 cents I would trade it all for a rx3 and a shack in idaho! Right now I am pretty much grounded with a bucket load of heart tests at the va. Depending I may have to just wish for some time as my problem is not going away. Keep them pictures coming.

I'm sorry to hear of your health problems. I will say a prayer for you. Also, thank you for your service to our country.

I took a short ride today, and the next photograph is for you. :)

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Returning from my last ride on the RX3, I got a flat rear tire about 4 miles from home. :ohno: This morning I changed the rear tire, and discovered I did not have a puncture flat. The inner tube in my rear tire had a very small cut, the size of a pin prick. The cut was on the top of the inner tube, next to the rim. The rim strip was in excellent shape, as was the rim itself. I surmise either the inner tube was bad, or it was damaged when installed at the factory. :shrug:

I took this opportunity to install a new inner tube, and a new, Shinko, 244 rear tire in size 5.10-17. The weather was overcast, and threatening to rain. Nevertheless, I went for a ride to test the tire. I got a little cold and wet, but I had a fun ride. The Shinko, 244 rear tire did a great job. :)

Thanks....I didn't mean to say I was about to croak but reading my last post thats what it sounded like. I have some sort of afib.....it just turned up and heart gets to racing. getting up to get a glass of water it goes from 72 beats to 110 in 5 or 6 steps! Last week ended up in hosp with it stuck at 150. Hopefully I get it under control and I can get another motorcycle. I have a majesty 400cc scooter to get me by for now. That country out there is gorgeous, I envy you. john

Thank you, John. Indeed, I am lucky to live in such a beautiful land. :)

I hope the doctors quickly find a good fix for you atrial fibrillation.

I figured it would be a matter of days before a Shinko was mounted on there. :D

The Spudifications begin. Probably the most offroad experienced Zong in North America.

Great Pictures Spud! Beautiful country to ride in. I am surprised you can write as much as you do with that all around you. Can you estimate what kind of fuel economy the RX3 is getting yet?

Thank you, Gene. :)

I got 73 mpg, and 75 mpg on my last two tanks of fuel. These rides also included some travel on the interstate highways at wide-open-throttle. :) This bike has wonderful little engine and transmission. :tup: