New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The digital dashboard utilizes a Siemens microprocessor which can be set for either U.S., or metric measurements. It has a fuel gauge on the left, and an engine coolant gauge on the right. It also includes a trip odometer, clock, gear indicator, and digital speedometer.

The top of the dashboard features an analog tachometer.

That's a sharp look. If I had to choose which instrument would be digital, it would be the speedometer. A digital tach jumps around too much and is a distraction for me.

I like how the entire cluster is mounted to the frame, but the igntion is mounted to the steering.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

After the bike is delivered, I am confident we will quickly get the gearing, and the rear wheel figured out. I am also considering a 21-inch, front wheel for this bike.

Since this will not be the agressive dual sport style that you're accustomed to, I suspect that the 18" front wheel will meet your needs nicely. It really is a nice blend of dual sport, adventure bike and SM.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The camshaft is support by two ball bearings.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...71&ns=1#detail

That's good news.

I looked at the link, and the cam also appears to have a ramp that is typical of automatic decompressor devices. That would be good to know for sure.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I found some fork and shock absorber specifications in the following thread.

http://forum.onliner.by/viewtopic.ph...7264&start=240

Fork Diameter: 37mm
Fork Length: 795mm
Fork Stroke: 200mm

The fork diameter and fork length seem accurate to me. If the fork stroke is also accurate, fork travel is 7.9 inches, which is excellent for Chinese forks. Standard, 37mm Chinese forks have a travel of 6.5 inches.

Shock Absorber:
Length: 390mm
Stroke: 60mm

These are very nice specifications for the shock absorber. The RX3 shock has a progressive, lower shock linkage, spring preload and rebound damping.

Minsk TRX 300i reviews state the bike has a very good suspension. I was very pleased to discover these specifications for the suspension; I hope they are accurate.

Indeed. A true 7.9" travel would be a nice surprise. If it turns out to be fact, I can see buying a set for Lifanda.

I wonder if the rear shock is also equipped with a schraeder valve for charging with Nitrogen.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

'
I'm with you on this. I think an 18" rear nd 21" front would be perfect for those of us that may stray off the pavement. More ground clearence and a big hoop up front to roll over obstacles. I ran a 21" up front on my Tenere and it made a huge difference in the soft stuff. Should keep the bike geometry pretty close to stock as well.

I agree with that logic. I had an old XL250S with the rare 23" front wheel, and it was unstoppable. That said, the RX3 has a lot of "stuff" on it that might be shaken to bits if ridden too aggressively off road. I can certainly see fire road or logging road use, but I wouldn't take it on a single track ride.

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I agree with that logic. I had an old XL250S with the rare 23" front wheel, and it was unstoppable. That said, the RX3 has a lot of "stuff" on it that might be shaken to bits if ridden too aggressively off road. I can certainly see fire road or logging road use, but I wouldn't take it on a single track ride.

The first order of business on this bike will be the use of a fair amount of blue Locktite.

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I agree with that logic. I had an old XL250S with the rare 23" front wheel, and it was unstoppable. That said, the RX3 has a lot of "stuff" on it that might be shaken to bits if ridden too aggressively off road. I can certainly see fire road or logging road use, but I wouldn't take it on a single track ride.

Fire road and logging roads seem to be what this bike was made for. Anything else, this is not the right bike for.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Tough to read, but I get the point. The actual designer has still not been named.

While I'm excited about this new bike, I'd rather see a known platform copy, rather than a clean slate design.

I understand your point. However, the same thread indicates the engine has been continually refined since 2008. This engine originally had a carburetor, and has been installed in a large number of motorcycles over the last 5-6 years. I haven't heard any bad reports on this engine, in fact it seems to perform very well, and is very reliable. I am also comforted by the 10,000 km ride taken by the Russians, and the 15,000 km ride taken by the Silk Road Rider.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by rtking

...Spud - I may have missed this in another thread, but were you able to find oil capacity? And I wonder what weight is recommended? I understand that there are two oil pumps in this engine… one for the cylinder and to spray the piston, and the other for the transmission (so the trans won't have to rely on oil splash for lubrication.)...

I just discovered today the oil capacity is 1.3 L, or approximately 1.4 quarts. That's a nice oil capacity for an engine this size, especially with water cooling.

I'm going to use Mobil, Delvac 15W/40 engine oil, just as I do in my Zongshen ZS200GY-2, Honda XR650L, and Honda CRF250X. You might enjoy reading the following articles on motor oil.

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Consumables.html#Oil

Rather than two oil pumps, I suspect the oil pump probably has two chambers, as with the oil pump in my Honda XR650L. However, I haven't seen any photos of the RX3 oil pump...yet. The oil pump rotors are shown in the link below, and look very similar to the rotors in my XR650L oil pump.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...73&ns=1#detail

The engine does employ both a coarse oil filter, and a fine oil filter. The coarse oil filter seems to be a reusable, stainless steel mesh.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...15&ns=1#detail

The fine oil filter is available in both stainless steel, and paper element forms.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...61&ns=1#detail

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...23&ns=1#detail

The coarse oil filter is located in front of the fine oil filter, and both are accessed by bolts on the right crankcase.

Originally Posted by rtking

...Thanks for the great photos of the top end. It really does look like servicing this bike will be straight forward and without having to remove much (if any) tupperware. If I read correctly, the only plastic that might need to come off is on the left side to service the air filter or reach the battery, but otherwise it's almost all accessible.

You're welcome. I agree. Also, I'm confident I can avoid removing the luggage rack and trunk by performing a little judicious trimming of the colored side panel.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

That's a sharp look. If I had to choose which instrument would be digital, it would be the speedometer. A digital tach jumps around too much and is a distraction for me.

I like how the entire cluster is mounted to the frame, but the igntion is mounted to the steering.

I agree. This bike has an elegant design. Zuo Zongshen has definitely taken the Chinese motorcycle industry to a higher level.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Since this will not be the agressive dual sport style that you're accustomed to, I suspect that the 18" front wheel will meet your needs nicely. It really is a nice blend of dual sport, adventure bike and SM.

I agree completely. I'm not in any rush to convert to a 21-inch front wheel. I definitely plan to ride the bike for several thousand miles before I even consider changing to a larger front wheel.

Originally Posted by G19Tony

Fire road and logging roads seem to be what this bike was made for. Anything else, this is not the right bike for.

I agree, Tony. However, the larger front wheel does increase the available tire options, and makes the bike turn more nimbly. Also, if the rear wheel is enlarged, enlarging the front wheel preserves the bike's geometry. However, given the design and mission for this bike, I suspect I will stick with the 18-inch front wheel for a long time, perhaps permanently. Nevertheless, it's still fun for me to consider the options.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

That's good news.

I looked at the link, and the cam also appears to have a ramp that is typical of automatic decompressor devices. That would be good to know for sure.

I see the ramp, but I don't see any mechanism which will disengage the ramp at higher rpms. Neither do I see such a provision on either roller rocker. Indeed, both roller rockers seem to be identical.

I also see a slot on the underside of the camshaft, which makes me suspect this cam utilizes a decompression system similar to that of my Honda CRF250X.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Indeed. A true 7.9" travel would be a nice surprise. If it turns out to be fact, I can see buying a set for Lifanda.

I wonder if the rear shock is also equipped with a schraeder valve for charging with Nitrogen.

I haven't seen any detailed photographs of the shock absorber...yet. Apparently the spring preload for the shock is set in 5 distinct steps, which is similar to the system employed by the shock in the Kawaskai KLR650.

I've been thinking the same thing about upgrading the forks on my ZS200GY-2 with the RX3 forks. The RX3 forks appear to have the same external dimensions as the stock, Chinese forks, and would probably fit the standard Chinese triple tree. Therefore, you don't need to mess with the bike's ignition, fork lock, or instrumentation to perform the conversion.

However, the lower fork guards for the RX3 forks aren't designed for a dirt bike. If they have the same dimensions, I think the ZS150GY-10 forks would have the same travel, and be a better candidate for such a conversion. Also, one probably has to convert to the front wheel designed for the forks, and the 21-inch front wheel of the ZS150GY-10 is a much better choice for a dirt bike.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...79&ns=1#detail

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...91&ns=1#detail

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...43&ns=1#detail

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I agree with that logic. I had an old XL250S with the rare 23" front wheel, and it was unstoppable. That said, the RX3 has a lot of "stuff" on it that might be shaken to bits if ridden too aggressively off road. I can certainly see fire road or logging road use, but I wouldn't take it on a single track ride.

Personally, I would never take the RX3 on single track. I bought a CRF250X for single track.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

The first order of business on this bike will be the use of a fair amount of blue Locktite.

I agree; except, I am going to use red locktite.