RX3 holding it's own against the big boys!

sjeff35 · 03-26-2018, 09:02 AM

Morning,

This past weekend I attended an Entry Level Training class for ADV type riding here in NM. It was put on by West38moto. I have to say I really enjoyed the two days and learned a lot.

Of course I was the only one there with a CSC bike and received a lot of attention and some good natured ribbing. Out of the 10 participants and the three trainers the bike distribution went something like this:

6 BMW GS 1200's (both standard and Adventure models)
2 BMW GS 700's
2 BMW GS 650
2 DR-Z'
1 Triumph Tiger (Boy what a sweet sounding machine)

The little RX3 held it's ground and performed all the tasks assigned. The only time I dumped my bike was when I was showing off.(I made a spectacular get-off, too bad they didn't get it on tape)

One of the trainers, who has a GS 1200, was really impressed with the RX3 and thought it should have cost $10k, they were all blown away when I told him it was $4k delivered.

I finally came to the conclusion that I need to lower the gearing, the only real problem I experienced all weekend was starting off if the ground was anything less than flat.

All in all it was a great class and I highly recommend them if you're a noob like me.

fjmartin · 03-26-2018, 07:38 PM

That's great to hear. I had a similar experience when I took my RX3 to RawHyde Adventures for training and a tour in January 2017. My bike did great also. Changing your gearing will help a LOT. I went to 13/45 for off-road. It will mean your top speed is 72 MPH but on the hills on the highway it is actually better than stock gearing...it can pull itself up! Off-road that gearing combo can climb really well and can even restart on a steep hill with no issues. Nice thing about 13/45 is the chain length is IDENTICAL to the stock 14/44 so swapping is easier. In fact I had purchased a spare sprocket carrier so I could easily swap back and forth. Now, find a place where you can go practice those slow speed skills they taught you so you don't forget them!!!

Joe

sjeff35 · 03-27-2018, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjmartin

That's great to hear. I had a similar experience when I took my RX3 to RawHyde Adventures for training and a tour in January 2017. My bike did great also. Changing your gearing will help a LOT. I went to 13/45 for off-road. It will mean your top speed is 72 MPH but on the hills on the highway it is actually better than stock gearing...it can pull itself up! Off-road that gearing combo can climb really well and can even restart on a steep hill with no issues. Nice thing about 13/45 is the chain length is IDENTICAL to the stock 14/44 so swapping is easier. In fact I had purchased a spare sprocket carrier so I could easily swap back and forth. Now, find a place where you can go practice those slow speed skills they taught you so you don't forget them!!!

Joe

Hey Joe,

Thanks for the info on the gearing. I was going to search the forum for info on what I needed to update. I bought the 13 front sprocket with the bike thinking I could just swap it out, but I guess I need to change out the rear sprocket too???

Thanks

Huck369 · 03-27-2018, 10:07 AM

I just swapped the front on mine originally, try that before you do the rear sprocket, it might be enough of a change for you....it was for me.

2LZ · 03-27-2018, 10:40 AM

I agree with Huck on this. Try the 13 and see what you think.
I had both front and rear sprockets (13's and 45's) for both of our RX3's. I went 13 tooth on both and left the back stock.
My wife loves it on hers but I thought it was a little too tight for our type of riding (mostly paved twisties).
I put he 14 back on the front and went with the 45 rear. Love it now.
We don't do much off-road though. Have little dual sports for that.

sjeff35 · 03-27-2018, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck369

I just swapped the front on mine originally, try that before you do the rear sprocket, it might be enough of a change for you....it was for me.

So I can just swap out the front sprocket without changing the rear and the chain can stay???

Thanks

Huck369 · 03-27-2018, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjeff35

So I can just swap out the front sprocket without changing the rear and the chain can stay???

Thanks

Yes, there is very little difference in Diameter of the 13 tooth front sprocket and the 14 tooth, you will just need to adjust the chain a little

sjeff35 · 03-27-2018, 02:54 PM

Thanks!

03-26-2018, 09:02 AM	#1
sjeff35 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Corrales, NM Posts: 118	RX3 holding it's own against the big boys! Morning, This past weekend I attended an Entry Level Training class for ADV type riding here in NM. It was put on by West38moto. I have to say I really enjoyed the two days and learned a lot. Of course I was the only one there with a CSC bike and received a lot of attention and some good natured ribbing. Out of the 10 participants and the three trainers the bike distribution went something like this: 6 BMW GS 1200's (both standard and Adventure models) 2 BMW GS 700's 2 BMW GS 650 2 DR-Z' 1 Triumph Tiger (Boy what a sweet sounding machine) The little RX3 held it's ground and performed all the tasks assigned. The only time I dumped my bike was when I was showing off.(I made a spectacular get-off, too bad they didn't get it on tape) One of the trainers, who has a GS 1200, was really impressed with the RX3 and thought it should have cost $10k, they were all blown away when I told him it was $4k delivered. I finally came to the conclusion that I need to lower the gearing, the only real problem I experienced all weekend was starting off if the ground was anything less than flat. All in all it was a great class and I highly recommend them if you're a noob like me.
	11

03-26-2018, 07:38 PM	#2
fjmartin Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Redmond, WA. Posts: 534	That's great to hear. I had a similar experience when I took my RX3 to RawHyde Adventures for training and a tour in January 2017. My bike did great also. Changing your gearing will help a LOT. I went to 13/45 for off-road. It will mean your top speed is 72 MPH but on the hills on the highway it is actually better than stock gearing...it can pull itself up! Off-road that gearing combo can climb really well and can even restart on a steep hill with no issues. Nice thing about 13/45 is the chain length is IDENTICAL to the stock 14/44 so swapping is easier. In fact I had purchased a spare sprocket carrier so I could easily swap back and forth. Now, find a place where you can go practice those slow speed skills they taught you so you don't forget them!!! Joe __________________ 2017 BMW F800GS Adventure
	5

03-27-2018, 10:07 AM	#4
Huck369 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Somerset, KY Posts: 686	I just swapped the front on mine originally, try that before you do the rear sprocket, it might be enough of a change for you....it was for me. __________________ Huck 2013 Honda NC700X 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 2016 AJP PR4 2022 Templar X 250 2021 Sondors Metacycle AMA Life Member
	3

03-27-2018, 10:40 AM	#5
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,092	I agree with Huck on this. Try the 13 and see what you think. I had both front and rear sprockets (13's and 45's) for both of our RX3's. I went 13 tooth on both and left the back stock. My wife loves it on hers but I thought it was a little too tight for our type of riding (mostly paved twisties). I put he 14 back on the front and went with the 45 rear. Love it now. We don't do much off-road though. Have little dual sports for that. __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	1

03-27-2018, 02:54 PM	#8
sjeff35 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Corrales, NM Posts: 118	Thanks!
	1