New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[Weldangrind]

BTW, I love how tight the motor is in that Gas Gas frame; they don't use mounting plates for the engine.

[Pitbullmoto]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

BTW, I love how tight the motor is in that Gas Gas frame; they don't use mounting plates for the engine.

Do not use the silent blocks? Most likely because of the excellent balancing of the motor.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by Pitbullmoto

Do not use the silent blocks? Most likely because of the excellent balancing of the motor.

I agree that the motor is likely well balanced, but silent blocks are not common in competition motorcycles. Vibration is not an issue when you race or ride in the forest.

[SpudRider]

Thank you for posting that interesting information.

It's nice to know Zongshen is conducting such research, and it's promising to know they are developing a 450cc engine.

[SpudRider]

Canada Moto Guide has announced the pending arrival of the Zongshen RX3 in Canada.

http://canadamotoguide.com/2014/09/2...dventure-bike/

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Canada Moto Guide has announced the pending arrival of the Zongshen RX3 in Canada.

http://canadamotoguide.com/2014/09/2...dventure-bike/

It doesn't exactly confirm the arrival, but it's good to see the press. I spotted Zac's reply below the article; we haven't heard from him in awhile.

[SpudRider]

The following post reports a Zongshen RX3 was spotted taking a road test ride in Malaysia about two weeks ago.

http://www.bikesrepublic.com/2014/11...road-spy-shot/

Add another country to the list; it seems the new Zong will probably be sold in Malaysia next year.

[SpudRider]

Zongshen manufactures motorcycles in Thailand, and also has a factory in Vietnam. Therefore, it's shouldn't be a surprise if the RX3 is sold in Malaysia.

http://www.zongshen.cc/en/about/02.aspx
http://segmenty.com/GenerateNewsStat..._Thailand.html
http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....&postcount=697

[SpudRider]

Zongshen has established excellent quality control procedures in its factories. If you wish to learn more regarding this topic, you might enjoy visiting the following link.

http://en.zongshenmotor.com/?q=node/470

Zongshen manufactures 3 million motorcycles, and 4 million motorcycle engines every year. Therefore, one million Zongshen engines are installed in other motorcycle brands every year. Besides Chinese motorcycles, the ZS177MM (NC250) engine is also installed in Spanish (Gas Gas) and Portuguese (AJP) motorcycles.

[Wolftrax]

Hope y'all have a Happy Thanksgiving.

[SpudRider]

Thank you, Mark. I also hope everyone has a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

[SpudRider]

ADV Pulse has posted it's riding review of the Zongshen RX3. You can read the very nice, honest review at the following link.

http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/cs...e-rx-3-review/

[MotoJ]

That is a nice write-up.I think the RX3 will be a breakthrough bike for the Chinese motorcycle industry.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Originally Posted by SpudRider

ADV Pulse has posted it's riding review of the Zongshen RX3. You can read the very nice, honest review at the following link.

http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/cs...e-rx-3-review/

[culcune]

I had to laugh at the 'screws vibrating loose' which could be describing most any Chinese bike. I also thought it funny they compared it to the KLR650.

What I find these bikes doing is replacing people's perception that they 'need,' at minimum, a KLR650 to go south of the US border. This bike will shake up adventure touring in most any country south of the US/Mexico border. Of course, it is not strictly a niche bike, because obviously, there is plenty of commuting to work and riding around the US. But read all the threads, both active and inactive, of people (mainly from Europe) going on adventure tours in Mexico, South and Central America, and most of them wish, or are happy, they had a small displacement bike to do so. With all the touring stuff standard--this bike is it!

I am very tempted to get a business license here in Yuma, and start offering these bikes as a side-business for people wishing to travel south of the border who have chosen to start in the US. But, of course, the 'devil's advocate' tells me--why not move back to L.A. where these people are starting their trips and open up a dealership there....

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by culcune

What I find these bikes doing is replacing people's perception that they 'need,' at minimum, a KLR650 to go south of the US border.

Well said. I'm sick of the "more is better" attitude that we've developed in NA. I spent two weeks in Alberta recently, and there were one ton diesel trucks everywhere, used for commuting and grocery duties. Adventure bikes are becoming obscenely big, to the point where they're hardly manageable. Good luck if you ever drop one.

All we have to do is look to people in Asia, who we've all seen carrying a family on a 200cc bike. Granted, that's not by choice, but it makes a point; one person can tour the globe on 200cc. The venerable TW200 has the distinction of being the first bike to have ever been ridden to the North Pole.

I know that your point was specific to heading south of the US border, but it applies in any direction.

/rant