New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[Wolftrax]

Spud you're pretty much right on about the CRF250L. As an owner of one I can tell you it's just about there as far as a 250cc mini-adv. I suspect with all the farkels I've put on mine it's nearing the 340 lb weight. It performs well both off and on road. The two biggest hurdles to overcome are its range and sub frame. I have and aftermarket 3 gal tank on mine and @ 55mpg I'm looking for fuel at the 150 mile mark. Yes I ride it too fast hence the crappy economy. There is a history of subframe failures on heavily laden bikes. I think the RX3 will overcome these shortcomings.

[SpudRider]

Thank you for sharing your real-world experience with the CRF250L, Mark.

[Wolftrax]

As a footnote to the above post. I'm going to put my RX3 on a diet and I'll bet I can get here down to 340lbs.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

As a footnote to the above post. I'm going to put my RX3 on a diet and I'll bet I can get here down to 340lbs.

We are very glad you joined us, Mark. I look forward to reading your thread on the weight reduction program. I'm confident you can drop a lot of weight from the RX3 by switching to an aftermarket muffler, and installing a LiFePO4 (lithium/iron/phosphate) battery.

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

We are very glad you joined us, Mark. I look forward to reading your thread on the weight reduction program. I'm confident you can drop a lot of weight from the RX3 by switching to an aftermarket muffler, and installing a LiFePO4 (lithium/iron/phosphate) battery.

I'm guessing there is probably another 25lbs of hard cases and racks. Probably won't hurt to lose about 40lbs off my own frame

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by G19Tony

Check into Highway Dirt Bike handguards. It's what I'm putting on my RX-3.

http://www.highwaydirtbikes.com/HDB_...lay&ref=splash

With you all the way on this one Tony. HDB is the best.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

I'm guessing there is probably another 25lbs of hard cases and racks. Probably won't hurt to lose about 40lbs off my own frame

Indeed, weight reduction of the rider can also help a lot.

The RX3 certainly looks much slimmer with the panniers removed.



It will be interesting to discover the total weight of the luggage, engine guards, et cetera. It seems one can easily remove, and re-install all these items with a few bolts. If one installs a Garage Pro Travel Trunk with lock, he can easily slim down the bike for street riding, or more technical riding, yet he can quickly add the travel trunk for running errands, or taking day trips.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=14279

For longer adventures he can rather quickly re-install the panniers, crash bars, et cetera, or just add soft bags over the pillion saddle.

[SpudRider]

Incidentally, the rider of the slimmed down RX3 in the photograph above has definitely installed an aftermarket muffler.

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

Spud you're pretty much right on about the CRF250L. As an owner of one I can tell you it's just about there as far as a 250cc mini-adv. I suspect with all the farkels I've put on mine it's nearing the 340 lb weight. It performs well both off and on road. The two biggest hurdles to overcome are its range and sub frame. I have and aftermarket 3 gal tank on mine and @ 55mpg I'm looking for fuel at the 150 mile mark. Yes I ride it too fast hence the crappy economy. There is a history of subframe failures on heavily laden bikes. I think the RX3 will overcome these shortcomings.

I had a CRF250L also. Great bike. I got out of dirt for awhile. The guys I rode with were too fast, and too technical for me. I got tired of crashing. My idea of DS is graded fire roads. I think the RX-3 is going to be perfect for what I'm after.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Tony. It's important to get the right motorcycle for the right application. The Zongshen RX3 is ideally suited for the riding you prefer.

I own a Honda, CRF250X dirt bike for technical riding. I was considering adding a street bike to my stable of motorcycles, but I didn't want to be limited to riding on pavement. An adventure bike is more versatile than a street bike, but I wouldn't consider buying an 800-pound behemoth. However, the Zongshen RX3 ideally suits my plans for less technical, adventure riding.

[SpudRider]

Motorcycle.com posted a nice, honest review of the Zongshen RX3. You can read the review at the following link.

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...-3-review.html

[SpudRider]

Here is a selection of nice photographs taken from the Motorcycle.com review of the RX3.

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...ne-detail-4344

[SpudRider]

Here is the undoubtedly fair scorecard posted in the Motorcycle.com review of the 2015 Zongshen RX3.

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...-3-review.html

[SpudRider]

There is a nice 'inside story' regarding the Motorcycle.com test ride posted at the CSC blog.

http://californiascooterco.com/blog/

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Here is the undoubtedly fair scorecard posted in the Motorcycle.com review of the 2015 Zongshen RX3.

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...-3-review.html

Our humble little China bike is getting a lot of praise in the press. It out scored the 2014 Yamaha XT1200Z in the same publication. Being one of the first on the "Don't miss the boat" pricing, I may be getting the deal of the century!!!!