New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by 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.

Welcome back, Huck. Thanks for checking in.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

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.

I've been in this boat before, and I agree with you completely. I'm going to wear out the stock 15-inch tire, but I am definitely going to switch to a 17-inch, rear wheel. I don't want to be limited to a small selection of knobby tires, and I like the flexibility of choosing from more than one vendor. However, if one is satisfied with street tires, there is a very large selection of 15-inch cruiser tires available for the 15-inch rear wheel.

[SpudRider]

I added the ride reviews from ADV Pulse and ADV Moto magazines to the Zongshen RX3 sticky, located at the top of this Dual Sport Forum.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=14228

The links to the ride reviews are located under the Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Ride Reviews subheading.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by ParrotheadJeff

...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...

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 didn't realize the new, Yamaha XT250 had a 5-speed transmission. The XT225 and TW200 are nice motorcycles, but they are not designed as adventure bikes.

I agree with you; the Zongshen RX3 is well designed in every aspect to be the ideal, minimalist touring machine. In addition to all the other features you mentioned, the RX3 has a strong, modern frame designed to carry heavy loads. The only hardware I plan to add to my RX3 are heated grips, and a pair of handguards.

[Huck369]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I didn't realize the new, Yamaha XT250 had a 5-speed transmission. The XT225 and TW200 are nice motorcycles, but they are not designed as adventure bikes.

I agree with you; the Zongshen RX3 is well designed in every aspect to be the ideal, minimalist touring machine. In addition to all the other features you mentioned, the RX3 has a strong, modern frame designed to carry heavy loads. The only hardware I plan to add to my RX3 are heated grips, and a pair of handguards.

Yes the XT250 does have a 5-speed, but the gears are spaced so that it isn't a real issue on it, for what it is.

And all I plan to add is a center stand and some handguards, and my butt in the seat

[SpudRider]

I'm glad to hear the Yamaha XT250 has a wide ratio transmission. However, even a wide ratio, 5-speed transmission is not as good as a 6-speed transmission. My Honda XR650L, Honda CRF250X, and Zongshen ZS200GY-2 bikes have 5-speed transmissions. In fact, my Zongshen transmission is virtually identical to the wide ratio, Yamaha TW200 transmission, but I frequently keep looking for sixth gear on all those bikes.

I also plan to add a center stand. However, the Zongshen center stand appears to be a unit which is not permanently attached to the motorcycle. It is a two-piece unit, which seems to be attached for work, then removed from the bike.

http://www.taobao.com/view_image.php...ate=20410&fv=9

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I'm glad to hear the Yamaha XT250 has a wide ratio transmission. However, even a wide ratio, 5-speed transmission is not as good as a 6-speed transmission. My Honda XR650L, Honda CRF250X, and Zongshen ZS200GY-2 bikes have 5-speed transmissions. In fact, my Zongshen transmission is virtually identical to the wide ratio, Yamaha TW200 transmission, but I frequently keep looking for sixth gear on all those bikes.

I also plan to add a center stand. However, the Zongshen center stand appears to be a unit which is not permanently attached to the motorcycle. It is a two-piece unit, which seems to be attached for work, then removed from the bike.

http://www.taobao.com/view_image.php...ate=20410&fv=9

I called CSC today and asked about a center stand. They are designing and fabricating one for the RX-3 that sounds like it will be attached to the bike. I told him I'm in for one, when my superfast blue bike arrives.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for sharing the good news with us, Tony.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The only hardware I plan to add to my RX3 are heated grips, and a pair of handguards.

We'll see how long that lasts!

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

In fact, my Zongshen transmission is virtually identical to the wide ratio, Yamaha TW200 transmission, but I frequently keep looking for sixth gear on all those bikes.

I thought about converting my TW to a six speed, but it only creates a close-ratio transmission; the top gear is the same in a TW200 as a TT-R230. You'd still be looking for a higher top gear that isn't there.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I thought about converting my TW to a six speed, but it only creates a close-ratio transmission; the top gear is the same in a TW200 as a TT-R230. You'd still be looking for a higher top gear that isn't there.

Is first gear also the same? Can you post a link showing the gear ratios for the two transmissions?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

We'll see how long that lasts!

[SpudRider]

The CSC Blog mentioned a thread at the Roam Africa Forum concerning the Zongshen RX3 arriving in North America. I went searching, and here is a link to that thread.

http://www.roamafrica.co.za/forum/in...p?topic=2168.0

[SpudRider]

According to the above thread, rumor has it the Zongshen RX3 will be imported into South Africa by Puzey.

http://www.puzey.co.za/

[SpudRider]

Our good friend Zac posted another article at Canada Moto Guide regarding the arrival of the Zongshen RX3 in Canada.

http://canadamotoguide.com/2014/11/2...ike-to-canada/



This time Zac posted a link to our thread here at China Riders. Thank you, Zac.