New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[SpudRider]

Personally, I am becoming less and less inclined to change the size of the front wheel on the RX3. Given the bike's weight and mission, I think the stock front wheel will perform quite well. Also, the RX3's speedometer is currently very optimistic, which I hope CSC can correct. Unless the owner can calibrate the stock speedometer, changing the size of the front wheel will degrade the accuracy even more. Of course, one can ignore the stock speedometer, and install an additional Trail Tech computer, et cetera, but I don't want want to do that, myself.

[SpudRider]

Katoranger has discovered that Fastenal will ship items from store to store. I wonder if this method might be a less expensive way to get a Zongshen RX3 shipped from Azusa, California? You can read about this subject at the following link.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...d=1#post176085

The nearest Fastenal store, in Irwindale, is located 3.1 miles from CSC Motorcycles in Azusa.

[katoranger]

I have not used them personally, but found it here. http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=260768

Tractor parts can weigh more than these motorcycles. Someone shipped a whole garden tractor. Likely in the 800-1100lb range.

[G19Tony]

Has anyone heard if there is going to be a centerstand?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by G19Tony

Has anyone heard if there is going to be a centerstand?

Yes, Zongshen definitely manufactures a center stand. I'm pretty sure CSC is going to stock them, but one should call CSC to verify that information. One can also order the center stand from Taobao.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Yes, Zongshen definitely manufactures a center stand. I'm pretty sure CSC is going to stock them, but one should call CSC to verify that information. One can also order the center stand from Taobao.

So, the center stand does not come with the bike?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

So, the center stand does not come with the bike?

That is correct. The center stand is not included with the stock motorcycle.

[ParrotheadJeff]

SpudRider - I'm here thanks to your link over on advrider.com. I've just caught wind of the details of this bike in the last couple of weeks and I've been soaking up all the info I can about it.

I've got a V-Star 650 Classic and I really like it. That said, I've taken it on a few dirt roads and found out it is NOT the bike for the job. Washboard didn't just hurt me (it's tough to stand on the floorboards), but it shook things loose. I hit some deep, loose sand at 40 MPH and while I don't know how I managed to avoid a crash, I did manage to triple my prayer life

I'm probably going to get a new bike in the next year or so. I've thought about a lot of bikes, but either they're too expensive or there's something about them that needs a major modification or they don't have something I really want. I'm looking for something affordable, fuel injected, easy to work on, and I want it to do well on dirt roads. I don't want a motocross bike or something to blaze a new path for the Dakar. It also has to have a low seat height as I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam.

The BMW G650 and F700 GS are too expensive. The DR650 and KLR aren't as bad, but they're more than I want to spend and they're carbureted. The XT250 has a tiny gas tank, 5 speeds, and is down on power compared to the RX-3. The TW200 has a lot I love, but it's down on power, carbureted, and has a small tank among other things. None of those bikes come with luggage and I think most come without a skid plate from the factory.

The RX-3 has too much going for it NOT to be the leading contender right now. It's got fuel injection, luggage and skid plate from the factory, it comes with a service manual and will have a diagnostic computer available for purchase or weekly rent, and it's got a decent range for people like me in the middle of nowhere central Utah. I'm definitely keeping my eye on this bike

I haven't read the whole thread, but I've looked back a ways and I didn't see this video posted. It's CSC Motorcycles' Joe Berk going through all the features on the bike and a bit more. He covers the center stand not being standard equipment, but being available and he also covers tire availablity for the 15" rear and the option of changing to a 17" rear as well.



I'm jealous of everyone here who's already sure they're getting one soon!

[Weldangrind]

Welcome, Jeff!

You've nailed it, in terms of the deficiencies of the XT250 and the TW, although I love my TW. I see the RX-3 as the perfect minimalist adventure touring machine.

[ParrotheadJeff]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Welcome, Jeff!

You've nailed it, in terms of the deficiencies of the XT250 and the TW, although I love my TW. I see the RX-3 as the perfect minimalist adventure touring machine.

Thanks! One of the things I love on the TW is the idea of those big tires, but they're a really odd size and not cheap. I'm thinking about seeing how it works out with the 15" and 17" rears on the RX-3 before I get one as the 15" tires may be available through CSC, but 17" might be easier to find locally.

I'm thinking you're right about it being the go-to minimalist bike

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Yes, Zongshen definitely manufactures a center stand. I'm pretty sure CSC is going to stock them, but one should call CSC to verify that information. One can also order the center stand from Taobao.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by ParrotheadJeff

Thanks! One of the things I love on the TW is the idea of those big tires, but they're a really odd size and not cheap. I'm thinking about seeing how it works out with the 15" and 17" rears on the RX-3 before I get one as the 15" tires may be available through CSC, but 17" might be easier to find locally.

I'm thinking you're right about it being the go-to minimalist bike

Welcome aboard, Jeff. We are glad you joined us.

My Zongshen ZS200GY-2 originally had the same wheel sizes as the new Zongshen RX3. The 15-inch rear wheel handles well, but you will get a much better selection of tires with the optional, 17-inch rear wheel. The 17-inch tires will definitely be much easier to find locally, since CSC will be the only vendor in North America for a 15-inch knobby tire.

I agree with you and Weld. The RX3 is an ideal, minimalist touring motorcycle.

[Huck369]

First time in a few years being on this board, but I'm on the list for one of the first shipments of the RX-3, and can hardly wait for delivery checking in here to keep up with the info....
Have owned a few other Chinese bikes in the past, but has been a few years.

[Weldangrind]

Welcome back, Huck! Glad to hear you're on board with the RX-3.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by ParrotheadJeff

I'm thinking about seeing how it works out with the 15" and 17" rears on the RX-3 before I get one as the 15" tires may be available through CSC, but 17" might be easier to find locally.

To me, 17" is the answer. There's a decent selection out there, but only one 15" tire. That's one of the reasons I got rid of my old XL250S; it had an oddball 23" front rim, and there was only one type of tire that I found for it.