New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[SpudRider]

The riding season is coming to an end in the northern hemisphere. Hence, we are unlikely to find any long term reviews of the Minsk TRX 300i from Belarus, or the Zongshen RX3 from Russia, until next year.



Therefore, I think we have a better chance of finding reviews of the RX3 coming from Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

[SpudRider]

On August 4, 2013, ChinaMotoWorld.com posted an excellent report on Zongshen Industrial Group.

http://www.chinamotorworld.com/index...a=view&id=1396

The 'Chinglish' of this article is a little difficult to understand, but a careful reading of the report reveals much about Zongshen's current operation, and its plans for the future. The article is organized under subheadings, and here is the information I gleaned from the first subheading, Event Playback.

Every year, in the month of March, the National People's Conference (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) meet in Beijing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa...e%27s_Congress
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese...ive_Conference

Zuo Zongshen is a member of the CPPCC, and is an influential man in China. In the 2012 meetings the NPC and CPPCC delegates urged Chinese companies to expand their overseas markets.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-s...00075&cid=1202

Zongshen is certainly trying to expand its overseas market, and the RX3 motorcycle is a prime example of that effort. However, many Chinese cities are banning motorcycles and scooters, and these bans are very detrimental to the Chinese motorcycle industry. At the 2013 meetings of the NPC and CPPCC, Zuo Zongshen entered a race across Beijing with two other CPPCC members. Riding a Zongshen scooter, Zuo easily won the race with the other two 'competitors,' who were riding the subway, and driving a private automobile. Apparently, this race generated a lot of interest in both the Chinese mainstream media, and the internet.



In a continuing effort to improve the quality of his products, and to expand his markets, Zuo Zongshen is using his influence to remove the motorcycle and scooter bans.

According to the following link, Chinese cities might be banning motorcycles and scooters for the following reasons.

http://www.quora.com/Will-a-full-ban...s-major-cities

1) Many of the popular Chinese scooters are loud and have dirty exhaust emissions.

2) Motorcycle and scooter owners ride dangerously, creating chaos in the traffic pattern and endangering pedestrians.

3) Thieves riding scooters and motorcycles can easily escape from the police.

However, here is a westerner's perspective on why motorcycles are banned in many Chinese cities.

[Weldangrind]

It wasn't just the e-bikes in the video that were a nuisance; it was clear that nobody was following driving rules.

Perhaps Mr. Zongshen will be successful in getting the MC ban lifted in Chinese cities.

[SpudRider]

I agree, Weld. I think the motorcycles, scooters , and e-bikes are banned for 'cosmetic' reasons, as stated in the video.

[Weldangrind]

It occurred to me that the banning of motorcycles in major Chinese cities might also have something to do with boosting new car sales. It still boils down to image.

[SpudRider]

I agree, boosting new car sales is another possible motive for the ban. Needless to say, automobiles create more pollution and traffic congestion than motorcycles.

Zongshen is working to produce motorcycle with higher displacement engines, but this effort is hampered by the motorcycle ban in the cities. Many city dwellers have higher incomes, and can afford the bigger bikes, but the ban eliminates this large, lucrative market.

[SpudRider]

I'd like to continue my analysis of the excellent ChinaMotoWorld report on Zongshen Industrial Group.

http://www.chinamotorworld.com/index...a=view&id=1396

The next subheading is Zongshen Group in Public Report. Zongshen Industrial Group was founded in 1992.

http://www.zongshen.cc/en/about/

The business has several major operating groups. The Power Machinery Group manufactures motorcycles engines, general purpose gasoline engines, and ATV engines. Zongshen has the best R&D facility of any Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, and it is currently working hard to develop diesel engine and electric motor technology.

http://www.zongshen.cc/en/career/

http://en.zongshenmotor.com/?q=node/513

In 2012 Zongshen manufactured 5 milllion motorcycle engines for its own bikes, and many other Chinese motorcycles. The company manufactured an additional 5 million engines for ATVs, lawn mowers, et cetera.

http://www.zse.cc/subview.aspx?BaseI...7&BaseInfoId=1

Zongshen Power Machinery has entered into business partnerships with MTD USA, Piaggio Italy, Barbieri Italy, Champion USA, Westinghouse, GKN UK, and Delphi USA.

http://www.mtdproducts.com/equipment/mtdproducts
http://www.piaggio.com/piaggio/INT/e...1.be01-public2
http://www.barbierisrl.com/index.php?lingua=en
http://www.championsparkplugs.com/
http://www.gkn.com/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.delphi.com/manufacturers/.../fuelhandling/

In addition to its Chinese factories, Zongshen has manufacturing facilities in Thailand, Vietnam, and Brazil. Zongshen exports its products to 88 different countries and regions outside China.

http://www.zongshen.cc/en/about/02.aspx

To help its R&D efforts and refine its products, Zongshen competes in international (electric) motorcycle racing, and domestic racing.

http://www.zongshen.cc/en/discovery/02.aspx

[MotoJ]

https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?...Oe4_U1H5lVWGTI

Nice write up in MCN on the Honley badged RX3.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MotoJ

https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?...Oe4_U1H5lVWGTI

Nice write up in MCN on the Honley badged RX3.

Thanks for posting the great link. Indeed, that is a very nice review.

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by MotoJ

https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?...Oe4_U1H5lVWGTI

Nice write up in MCN on the Honley badged RX3.

Dittos to what Spud said. Wow the only niggles was the fueling issue. Another map for more power! If this bike has half the longevity of Spud's Zong we have a winner on our hands.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

Dittos to what Spud said. Wow the only niggles was the fueling issue. Another map for more power! If this bike has half the longevity of Spud's Zong we have a winner on our hands.

Yes, I also noted the reference to another ECM map for additional power.

Also, if I am the closest RX3 owner to Dobek Performance, I am willing to lend them my RX3 for several weeks this winter, provided I could get reimbursed for my fuel costs to make two, round-trip excursions to Belgrade, Montana.

http://www.electronicjetkit.com/default.asp

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...t=14126&page=3

[detours]

Another Honley Venturer review ... short but sweet.

http://www.morebikes.co.uk/2014-honl...-250cc-review/

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by detours

Another Honley Venturer review ... short but sweet.

http://www.morebikes.co.uk/2014-honl...-250cc-review/

I've noticed a common theme in all the reviews I have read regarding the Minsk/Honley/Zongshen RX3; the bike performs well, and is fun to ride.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Zongshen is certainly trying to expand its overseas market, and the RX3 motorcycle is a prime example of that effort. However, many Chinese cities are banning motorcycles and scooters, and these bans are very detrimental to the Chinese motorcycle industry. At the 2013 meetings of the NPC and CPPCC, Zuo Zongshen entered a race across Beijing with two other CPPCC members. Riding a Zongshen scooter, Zuo easily won the race with the other two 'competitors,' who were riding the subway, and driving a private automobile. Apparently, this race generated a lot of interest in both the Chinese mainstream media, and the internet.

I remember reading this link on mychinamoto last year. I was most impressed with the fact that a billionaire, granted a billionaire who earned his money from motorsports, was riding one of his products in the race. Not just any product but a 'lowly' scooter.

As a sidenote, a mychinamoto member who earned alot of money in China via investments, and has retired, still dabbles in the money market. He purposely chooses to ride a scooter around to meet with people, as opposed to a Mercedes like he used to, and he said no one takes him seriously. IN other words, Zongshen was making quite the statement by riding one of his lower end products where he could have chosen to ride at least a higher end model.

[SpudRider]

I'd like to read that post at MyChinaMoto. Do you have a link, Culcune?