RX6 650cc 2-cyl

Skyteamst90 · 09-24-2019, 01:13 AM

Zongshen debuted a new bike

Skyteamst90 · 09-24-2019, 01:15 AM

Very cool

Working_ZS · 09-24-2019, 12:10 PM

Found a link to some pictures of it here:

https://www.facebook.com/MoMoMotorbi..._fb_noscript=1

Interesting that they are using Nissin branded calipers, at least in the front, rather than generic ones. I wonder what the pricing looks like, given that the RX6 would be competing with the likes of the VStrom 650 and Kawasaki Versys 650? I'm assuming that this 650 parallel twin is the result of Zongshen's tie up with Norton that was announced two years ago:

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/...rcycle-engine/

Gaijin · 09-24-2019, 04:32 PM

More photos:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/MoMoMoto...12297378912874

pyoungbl · 09-24-2019, 08:32 PM

This must represent a huge jump for Zongshen in terms of large displacement motorcycles. In the past they have concentrated in the 125-150cc displacement machines. I suspect the NC250 lump was a significant jump. Then they came out with the 450 and now the 650. Are they ready to go head to head with folks like Kawasaki, Honda, BMW, Ducati, KTM and Triumph? It's an exciting time to be a motorcycle buyer, scary for the manufacturers.

NzBrakelathes · 09-25-2019, 03:19 AM

I saw the Norton at the exhibition - I musta walked past the RX6!

rd1959 · 10-20-2019, 12:09 AM

I guess the days of designing a comfortable, well padded seat are over.

NzBrakelathes · 10-20-2019, 01:53 AM

Plenty twin 500-650cc bikes already made etc

calvarez · 10-20-2019, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rd1959

I guess the days of designing a comfortable, well padded seat are over.

Comfortable and well padded are actually opposites. Note that the most comfortable seats like Corbin are not padded, they are actually stiffer. "Soft" does not equal comfortable. The stock seat on my XX was soft, and would have me in pain after an all day ride. With the Corbin I've done 3k mile weekends and been fine. But if you press on it you'd think it was too stiff to be comfortable.

rd1959 · 10-20-2019, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvarez

Comfortable and well padded are actually opposites. Note that the most comfortable seats like Corbin are not padded, they are actually stiffer. "Soft" does not equal comfortable. The stock seat on my XX was soft, and would have me in pain after an all day ride. With the Corbin I've done 3k mile weekends and been fine. But if you press on it you'd think it was too stiff to be comfortable.

I used to have a Corbin seat on my 07 Kaw ZR7-s and didn't care for it much. It felt a lot like the Seat Concepts narrow seat I have on my RX3 now. I wish I could find out what foam density Honda used on their early 90s motocross bikes. The foam they used was great. It had enough firmness to keep you from eventually bottoming out on the seat pan but it had some bounce to it so it didn't feel like you were sitting on a lightly padded board.

culcune · 10-20-2019, 10:41 PM

Lifan is playing catch up as they have a 450 adventure bike shown on their home site. American Lifan has been teasing on their Facebook page that they will bring the 450cc adventure bike, and a 350cc streetfighter-style bike to the US.

Sport Rider · 10-21-2019, 11:12 AM

Price will be king. at least they are in the ballgame now.

NzBrakelathes · 01-07-2020, 02:03 AM

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/0KMblWCyUpFJFhBkDvrlVQ

Working_ZS · 01-07-2020, 08:49 AM

Looking at the specs of the 850cc engine, at 70 KW it converts to 95 HP. It will be interesting to see what bike(s) they use this in; the article speculates about a high spec version of the 650cc RX6. That would be a riot, especially if Zongshen and CSC could do it for $10K or less. That would give the Europeans and the Japanese a good kick in the crotch, for sure!

Things are getting interesting in the Chinese motorcycle space; I wonder how much longer before they decide to push into the North American market without partnering with a local company? Product-wise, they are filling out their model lineups at a rapid clip. At this point, they just need to establish dealer networks, for those people too terrified to buy something without a dealer to hold their hand.

I strongly suspect that the motorcycle landscape is going to look a whole lot different 4-5 years from now than it does today; most likely a lot more Chinese, if I were a betting man.

franque · 01-07-2020, 10:08 AM

I would agree on most accounts, but they'll have to do between 6-8k to get any market penetration. Right now, the vast majority of Americans don't have a favorable view of Chinese motorcycles, and they're still seen as cheap, poor quality products.

As nice as CSC is, they're simply not the right sort of business to sell things in large quantities. As much as I don't particularly love modern dealership business models, Zongshen needs a more conventional business model/distributor to move their products in large numbers, especially with the new motorcycle market being what it is.

People especially want convenience, which means still having the option to go to a brick and mortar to buy parts, and to see models in the flesh. Most people don't want to have to mail order their parts, unless they see it as a significant price savings over the conventional model, and I think that the whole 'we'll mail you the bike' sounds too intimidating for some, and too familiar for those with prior Chinese moto experience.

Also, having significant experience working at dealerships, it doesn't matter if CSC will pay basically anyone to work on their bikes, there's still rabid anti-Chinese bias in most service centers.

10k won't sell a single bike in the crowded new bike market, especially with a brand that doesn't carry any weight with the average consumer, and doesn't have a good conventional way of reaching new customers.

09-24-2019, 01:13 AM	#1
Skyteamst90 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Minneapolis, mn Posts: 175	RX6 650cc 2-cyl Zongshen debuted a new bike __________________ On the radar: CSC - TT250 Moto Aventure ride 2020. "If everyone is thinking the same thing, no one is thinking." Gen. Patton. -2017 Suzuki SV650 -2015 BASHAN - STORM Current mods: LED headlight & tail light, LED fog light, JT 428-130 chain, 47t rear sprocket, 4-fuse box, oil-cooler, CSC TT205 hand controls, 32" handlebars, aftermarket 295mm rear shock, digital speedo & tach, USB/12 volt accessory; painted flat-black. -2005 Skyteam ST90 (sitting in pieces) -2003 Buell Blast - SOLD
	0

01-07-2020, 08:49 AM	#14
Working_ZS Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 365	95 HP Out of the 850 Looking at the specs of the 850cc engine, at 70 KW it converts to 95 HP. It will be interesting to see what bike(s) they use this in; the article speculates about a high spec version of the 650cc RX6. That would be a riot, especially if Zongshen and CSC could do it for $10K or less. That would give the Europeans and the Japanese a good kick in the crotch, for sure! Things are getting interesting in the Chinese motorcycle space; I wonder how much longer before they decide to push into the North American market without partnering with a local company? Product-wise, they are filling out their model lineups at a rapid clip. At this point, they just need to establish dealer networks, for those people too terrified to buy something without a dealer to hold their hand. I strongly suspect that the motorcycle landscape is going to look a whole lot different 4-5 years from now than it does today; most likely a lot more Chinese, if I were a betting man.
	2

09-24-2019, 12:10 PM	#3
Working_ZS Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 365	Found a link to some pictures of it here: https://www.facebook.com/MoMoMotorbi..._fb_noscript=1 Interesting that they are using Nissin branded calipers, at least in the front, rather than generic ones. I wonder what the pricing looks like, given that the RX6 would be competing with the likes of the VStrom 650 and Kawasaki Versys 650? I'm assuming that this 650 parallel twin is the result of Zongshen's tie up with Norton that was announced two years ago: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/...rcycle-engine/
	1

09-24-2019, 04:32 PM	#4
Gaijin Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 85	More photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MoMoMoto...12297378912874
	0

09-24-2019, 08:32 PM	#5
pyoungbl Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Posts: 632	This must represent a huge jump for Zongshen in terms of large displacement motorcycles. In the past they have concentrated in the 125-150cc displacement machines. I suspect the NC250 lump was a significant jump. Then they came out with the 450 and now the 650. Are they ready to go head to head with folks like Kawasaki, Honda, BMW, Ducati, KTM and Triumph? It's an exciting time to be a motorcycle buyer, scary for the manufacturers.
	1

09-25-2019, 03:19 AM	#6
NzBrakelathes Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Hell Posts: 2,408	I saw the Norton at the exhibition - I musta walked past the RX6!
	0

10-20-2019, 12:09 AM	#7
rd1959 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 131	I guess the days of designing a comfortable, well padded seat are over.
	0

10-20-2019, 01:53 AM	#8
NzBrakelathes Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Hell Posts: 2,408	Plenty twin 500-650cc bikes already made etc
	1

10-21-2019, 11:12 AM	#12
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,038	Price will be king. at least they are in the ballgame now.
	2

01-07-2020, 02:03 AM	#13
NzBrakelathes Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Hell Posts: 2,408	https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/0KMblWCyUpFJFhBkDvrlVQ
	0

01-07-2020, 10:08 AM	#15
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	I would agree on most accounts, but they'll have to do between 6-8k to get any market penetration. Right now, the vast majority of Americans don't have a favorable view of Chinese motorcycles, and they're still seen as cheap, poor quality products. As nice as CSC is, they're simply not the right sort of business to sell things in large quantities. As much as I don't particularly love modern dealership business models, Zongshen needs a more conventional business model/distributor to move their products in large numbers, especially with the new motorcycle market being what it is. People especially want convenience, which means still having the option to go to a brick and mortar to buy parts, and to see models in the flesh. Most people don't want to have to mail order their parts, unless they see it as a significant price savings over the conventional model, and I think that the whole 'we'll mail you the bike' sounds too intimidating for some, and too familiar for those with prior Chinese moto experience. Also, having significant experience working at dealerships, it doesn't matter if CSC will pay basically anyone to work on their bikes, there's still rabid anti-Chinese bias in most service centers. 10k won't sell a single bike in the crowded new bike market, especially with a brand that doesn't carry any weight with the average consumer, and doesn't have a good conventional way of reaching new customers.
	0