Observations on the RX3

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

11,000 miles per $50 rotor not so bad

I wonder if anyone has had the issue with the bigger rotor?

It's pretty obvious that the little rotor on the RX3 would be fine for the TT and even the itty bitty rotor on Q brakes well and has no pulsation. I just think the standard RX3 rotor is too small a surface for dispersing that much inertia for the weight of it. The RX3 is no "Twiggy"" for a 250. No science here, just a guess.

So far, with the sintered pads, mine's been fine...but the last thing I do is ride aggressively. Time will tell.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by detours

Spud , is the spring marked so you can tell which weight you have?

I wonder if I got the heavier spring. My progressive shock rode like a rock and reducing preload did nothing but lower the seat because the spring is so short there was nothing to decompress. I put the stock shock back on with zero preload and it's better than the progressive.

Yes, the springs are marked. I currently have the heavier, 500/560 spring installed. I am going to switch to the lighter, 400/450 spring.

[fishman10]

now I'm confused,,, everyone was saying spending the big bucks on the progressive shock was the holy grail, and would solve the one thing I hate on my rx3 > But lately I'm hearing some grumbling bout how harsh it is? which is the same problem as stock,, I'm 200lbs , but it sounds like the progressive shock by csc is not going to make a difference.

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by fishman10

now I'm confused,,, everyone was saying spending the big bucks on the progressive shock was the holy grail, and would solve the one thing I hate on my rx3 > But lately I'm hearing some grumbling bout how harsh it is? which is the same problem as stock,, I'm 200lbs , but it sounds like the progressive shock by csc is not going to make a difference.

After hours of trial and error I had the stock shock working adequately.

In search of a more compliant ride I put on the 400/450 Progressive.

To me, it seemed like a better/smoother ride on the pavement.

But I've been riding some of the NC forest service roads, and IMO, the ride is still harsh.

I've decided to use the RX3 for my road bike in the mountains, where the speed limit is 55 mph, and road conditions are anything but straight and level.

For that purpose the RX3 is ideal.

For dirt and gravel the RX3's ride cannot compare to the "cushy" stock suspension of my DR 650.

I have been riding the RX3, the DR650, and my TW200 back to back for days.

The RX3 is most like a road bike.

The DR650 is the real dual sport, happy on the road or dirt.

The TW200 is the best for trail riding and single track.

Yes, I have seen all the off road videos of the RX3.

Probably not a popular view...my opinion....ymmv...

jb

[detours]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Yes, the springs are marked. I currently have the heavier, 500/560 spring installed. I am going to switch to the lighter, 400/450 spring.

Mine is marked 400/450, so I guess I already have the lighter spring. I expected the spring to extend nearly the whole length of the shock body. But my spring only goes a little more than halfway up. Is that normal? I wish it could decompress a little more more to give me the lighter feel I was expecting.

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by detours

......But my spring only goes a little more than halfway up. Is that normal? ......

Mine is the same.

jb

[pyoungbl]

Progressive shows a large selection of springs for the shock we are getting from CSC. For my weight (195 lbs), with no preload, the laden sag is within spec. I think the suspension is still too stiff until I load the bike with camping gear, then all is good. Given that situation I believe the problem is the valving in the shock. That valuing is adjustable but requires tearing the shock apart. As an interim try reducing the compression dampening. The next step is to send the shock to a tech who can change the valve stack.

Edit:I have the 400/450 spring.

[2LZ]

I guess I'm the only guy here who's happy with his stock shock. It did take a while to set it up correctly but for where and how I ride, it works pretty dang well now. Rough roads, good pavement, dirt roads and some trails. No problems. I'll see if it fades down the road but the bike seems very well balanced now.

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

I guess I'm the only guy here who's happy with his stock shock. It did take a while to set it up correctly but for where and how I ride, it works pretty dang well now. Rough roads, good pavement, dirt roads and some trails. No problems. I'll see if it fades down the road but the bike seems very well balanced now.

2LZ, after the long process of adjusting the stock shock, I was mostly satisfied.

But from riding other bikes over the years, I realized it could be better.

For example, my Indian Scout, with only 3 inches of shock travel, has a smoother ride over rough roads than the RX3.

In search of the smoother ride, I had CSC put on the Progressive shock. For pavement riding, it seems better/smoother to me.

But I'm not sure it's $500 US better, ....off-road I'm not convinced.

jb