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Old 04-24-2015, 12:26 PM   #16
woodlandsprite   woodlandsprite is offline
 
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Originally Posted by AZRider View Post
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.
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


 
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Old 04-24-2015, 07:59 PM   #17
AZRider   AZRider is offline
 
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Originally Posted by woodlandsprite View Post
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

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
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Old 04-25-2015, 04:02 AM   #18
SpudRider   SpudRider is offline
 
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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.











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.





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.







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.

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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"Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain

2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3)
2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200)
2005 Honda XR650L
2004 Honda CRF250X
1998 Kawasaki KDX220

Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894


 
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Old 04-25-2015, 04:16 AM   #19
SpudRider   SpudRider is offline
 
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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.











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.



The Zongshen RX3 is very fun to ride on pavement, gravel roads, and dirt roads. 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.
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"Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain

2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3)
2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200)
2005 Honda XR650L
2004 Honda CRF250X
1998 Kawasaki KDX220

Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894


 
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Old 04-25-2015, 04:19 AM   #20
SpudRider   SpudRider is offline
 
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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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Spud

"Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain

2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3)
2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200)
2005 Honda XR650L
2004 Honda CRF250X
1998 Kawasaki KDX220

Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894


 
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Old 04-25-2015, 05:01 PM   #21
Pliskin   Pliskin is offline
 
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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.
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Old 04-25-2015, 09:30 PM   #22
SpudRider   SpudRider is offline
 
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Thank you, Pliskin. If you have time, please post a ride report with photos of your beautiful yellow/black Zong in its native habitat.
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"Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain

2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3)
2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200)
2005 Honda XR650L
2004 Honda CRF250X
1998 Kawasaki KDX220

Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894


 
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Old 04-25-2015, 10:05 PM   #23
jct842   jct842 is offline
 
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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.


 
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Old 04-25-2015, 10:47 PM   #24
SpudRider   SpudRider is offline
 
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Originally Posted by jct842 View Post
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.



Returning from my last ride on the RX3, I got a flat rear tire about 4 miles from home. 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.

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.
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"Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain

2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3)
2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200)
2005 Honda XR650L
2004 Honda CRF250X
1998 Kawasaki KDX220

Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894


 
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Old 04-25-2015, 11:11 PM   #25
jct842   jct842 is offline
 
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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


 
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Old 04-26-2015, 12:00 AM   #26
SpudRider   SpudRider is offline
 
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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.
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Spud

"Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain

2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3)
2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200)
2005 Honda XR650L
2004 Honda CRF250X
1998 Kawasaki KDX220

Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894


 
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Old 04-27-2015, 11:15 AM   #27
Weldangrind   Weldangrind is offline
 
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I figured it would be a matter of days before a Shinko was mounted on there.
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Old 04-27-2015, 01:35 PM   #28
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The Spudifications begin. Probably the most offroad experienced Zong in North America.
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Old 05-09-2015, 12:54 PM   #29
deputygene   deputygene is offline
 
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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?
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Old 05-09-2015, 01:20 PM   #30
SpudRider   SpudRider is offline
 
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Originally Posted by deputygene View Post
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.
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"Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain

2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3)
2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200)
2005 Honda XR650L
2004 Honda CRF250X
1998 Kawasaki KDX220

Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894


 
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