New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[SpudRider]

I believe Zongshen has taken the Chinese motorcycle industry to a higher level with the new RX3 motorcycle.

Occasionally, people still question the quality of my Zongshen ZS200GY-2. However, after riding it hard for over 67,000 miles, it has never run better. Even if that bike died tomorrow, I can't imagine what it has left to prove.

[Wolftrax]

Hey Spud. I notice you have a FMF silencer on your 200GY. In an effort to reduce weight and sneek a bit more performance out of the RX3 I'm contemplating putting Q4 on the RX3. Just wondering if you've given this any thought.

[Wolftrax]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I believe Zongshen has taken the Chinese motorcycle industry to a higher level with the new RX3 motorcycle.

Occasionally, people still question the quality of my Zongshen ZS200GY-2. However, after riding it hard for over 67,000 miles, it has never run better. Even if that bike died tomorrow, I can't imagine what it has left to prove.

I hope your right! All indicators are pointing in that direction. It will be interesting to start getting some US ride reports. This bike has the potential to be a real world all a rounder.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

Hey Spud. I notice you have a FMF silencer on your 200GY. In an effort to reduce weight and sneek a bit more performance out of the RX3 I'm contemplating putting Q4 on the RX3. Just wondering if you've given this any thought.

I installed an FMF Universal Spark Arrestor on my Zongshen ZS200GY-2, and I am very pleased with the results. The bike weighs much less, and the engine makes more power after the installation. The FMF Universal Spark Arrestor is very well built, and is U.S.F.S. approved for noise levels as well as spark suppression.

Somewhere down the line I am considering installing this same silencer on my Zongshen RX3. In addition to increased power and lighter weight, I think this silencer will make more room for a larger, right side pannier.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Now, when the thermostat switch dies, I am able to keep climbing the mountain, and I can replace the thermostat switch after I return home.

Exactly what I meant. I forgot about your CRF fan switch mod.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Even if that bike died tomorrow, I can't imagine what it has left to prove.

What does "died" really mean? What could possibly happen that couldn't be fixed by you? Short of a crash, I can't think of anything that could permanently stop the mighty little Zong.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

What does "died" really mean? What could possibly happen that couldn't be fixed by you? Short of a crash, I can't think of anything that could permanently stop the mighty little Zong.

Let's say the gearbox grenaded itself, such as occurs with the Suzuki DR650 motorcycles. Or maybe the piston could blow a hole, and fuse itself to the cylinder, et cetera. Of course, neither of these things is going to happen, because Zongshen makes good engines. If either of these things did happen, I certainly could fix the problem. However, the naysayers could reasonably state the bike had finally 'died,' and you can only get 67,000 miles out of a 'piece of Chinese junk.'

[SpudRider]

The CSC blog reports the company is working on accessories for the RX3.



The crash bars do make an nice platform for auxiliary lighting. SuperBrightLEDs has some nice lighting options as well.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/...-light-lights/

I don't know the official output of the RX3 stator. However, looking at photographs of the RX3 stator, and based upon my experience with my ZS200GY-2 stator, I'm confident the power output is good. Nevertheless, I am going to install an H4 LED bulb in the headlight, if it will fit. I really like the LED headlight bulb I installed in my Honda CRF250X.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=13947

[SpudRider]

I keep looking for the Motorcycle.com report on the test ride of the Zongshen RX3 they conducted last Thursday. These guys do excellent, fair reports. I wonder what they will say regarding the 250cc RX3 versus the 650cc adventure bikes.

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The CSC blog reports the company is working on accessories for the RX3.



The crash bars do make an nice platform for auxiliary lighting. SuperBrightLEDs has some nice lighting options as well.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/...-light-lights/

I don't know the official output of the RX3 stator. However, looking at photographs of the RX3 stator, and based upon my experience with my ZS200GY-2 stator, I'm confident the power output is good. Nevertheless, I am going to install an H4 LED bulb in the headlight, if it will fit. I really like the LED headlight bulb I installed in my Honda CRF250X.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=13947

I like your LED idea and will be sure to copy it. I saw those lights today too. They're going to break me, before I even get the bike. I called the shop and was told the bars are aluminum. I should still be able to tap them for the HDB handguards.

[CSCDude]

Handguards? Did someone say handguards?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by G19Tony

I like your LED idea and will be sure to copy it. I saw those lights today too. They're going to break me, before I even get the bike. I called the shop and was told the bars are aluminum. I should still be able to tap them for the HDB handguards.

Aluminum handlebars kill vibration and are lighter than steel handlebars.

I need to verify the LED bulb has enough clearance to fit behind the headlight shroud. If it fits, I am definitely going to install it.

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by CSCDude

Handguards? Did someone say handguards?

Check into Highway Dirt Bike handguards. It's what I'm putting on my RX-3.

http://www.highwaydirtbikes.com/HDB_...lay&ref=splash

[SpudRider]

When the Honda CB300F was announced earlier this year, I immediately liked the motorcycle. However, given a choice between the Honda CB300F and the Zongshen RX3, I would rather own the RX3. I don't want to be limited to riding on pavement, and the RX3 is certainly much more capable for off road riding than the CB300F. Both engines make about the same horsepower. However, the RX3 comes complete with touring/adventure equipment, and has a better suspension. If you add in the perimeter frame and stronger sub-frame for weight bearing capacity, as well as the windshield, 4.2-gallons of fuel, panniers, et cetera, the RX3 really doesn't weigh much more than the CB300F, or the CRF250L, for that matter.

As far as functionality is concerned, I think the Zongshen RX3 is located midway between the street-oriented CB300F, and the more dirt-oriented CRF250L. You can't make the CB300F perform as well in the dirt as the RX3, and you can't make the CRF250L perform as well in adventure mode as the RX3. Neither Honda has the adventure equipment, let alone the sub-frame required, to match the load capacity of the RX3.

I like the Honda CRF250L very much, but it is too heavy for a dirt bike. I already own a Honda CRF250X, so I don't want to be saddled with an extra 47 pounds of weight while riding off road. If you try to equip the CRF250L with the same luggage, et cetera, as the RX3, you will quickly match the weight of the RX3, but you wouldn't match either the weight bearing capacity, nor the price of the RX3. The Zongshen RX3 fits a perfect niche for me.

[SpudRider]

It just occurred to me; Motorcycle.com probably won't be comparing the Zongshen RX3 to the 650cc adventure bikes. They will probably compare the RX3 to the other, 250cc, dual sport bikes. Roughly arranged from the most dirt-capable bike, to the most street-capable motorcycle, here is the 250cc lineup.

Yamaha WR250R
Kawasaki KLX250S
Yamaha XT250
Honda CRF250L
Zongshen RX3

The price range also roughly follows the same sequence, from the most expensive bike, to the least expensive motorcycle.

Anticipating the upcoming ride review, and a possible, future, dual sport shootout, here is the Motorcycle.com video comparison of the Kawasaki KLX250S versus the Honda CRF250L.