I'm glad you are having a good time. Say hello to everyone for me, and ride safely. :)

Thanks Gents for the shifting tips.
Took note and paid extra attention to the sound of the bike while out on my practice ride this weekend. Shifting seems to be going smoother now... And I'm officially on my 3rd tank of gas :) LOL

Overall practice riding is going okay but still not yet comfortable ranging much further afield from where I have been riding near my home. Since the last time, I figured I should make sure to get practice on quick stops in a local parkinglot. Managed to lock up the rear wheel a couple times during practice and definitely felt the bike squiggling about as a result. Smelled the burnt rubber, and noticed the straight line that was left behind in the parkinglot (oops).

Also had a bit of a panic when I felt like I was going into a turn too fast, tapped brakes, felt the bike wobble, backed off the brakes, grabbed the throttle and leaned the bike and it all stabilized out - but I clearly need to practice turns and cornering. Turning from a stop is going much better, as is turning at low speeds - but turning while I'm supposed to be keeping up with traffic generally wigs me out *sigh*

Never use the brakes in a turn, and if you need to turn tighter because you feel your turning arc is too shallow and you might not make it (or hit something) you need to just push harder on the handle bars. The bike can lean way over as long as you've got the momentum. Then throttle out!

(I'm assuming that you were taught that in order to go right, you push with your right. To go left you push with your left. Correct?) That's what I mean about pushing harder.

And about your shifting and knowing what gear they need to be in (without looking at the tach) is to "Be in the GRRRR" and when GRRRR turns into GHEEEEE, that's when you need to shift. It works for normal riding and spirited riding as well.

Thanks EcoMouse :)
Yes, I'd been warned to not touch the brakes in a turn - car habits/bicycle habits are hard to break :P

And yes, I knew exactly what you were talking about on pushing harder - I remember receiving the same feedback while taking my MSF class - it really is a case I think of getting comfortable and confident on the bike and that it's not going to fall over while leaned in a turn

That is one of the best written explanations I have seen. ;)

You were very wise to take the rider safety course; it is one of the best investment you will ever make. :tup:

Keep practicing the proper techniques you learned in the rider safety course, and you will continue to gain confidence. :)

Watch some video of super motard racing, so you can get a feel of what's even possible on a smaller displacement bike. Notice the lean angles. (Ignore their feet, most of them are dirt bikers) With momentum in a corner your bike is a gyroscope. It will not fall over as long as there is sufficient grip on the tires. Gravel, sand, glass etc are the exception to the grip rule. Which is why those riders have their feet out, to allow the rear end to slip out in a controlled manner and use their foot as a pivot of sorts. Lots of tiny rubber tire bits on a race track act as ball bearings sometimes. But you gotta remember they are purposely trying to push the bikes to their limits, yet they are not falling over.

Also, if you scrape your pegs for the first time, it can be alarming, and you'll want to right the bike out of instinct. Don't... in fact, it's OK to pretend there are sparklers on your pegs as long as they just barely scrape along. You won't crash. (And if you do go down, a low side is the safest crash you can have. No worries, just dust yourself off, pick your bike up and continue on)

That's because I'm still a kid a heart, and make my own motorcycle noises, even while I'm riding! :lmao:

I'm just relaying my observations.

Dead spot in headlight switch
 

After my riding buddy pointed out that my RX3 headlight was occasionally out, I checked the operation of the headlight switch. I found that if I moved it halfway between low and high beams, the headlight would go off. The problem here is twofold: first the switch is a slider that is close to the hand grip, and relatively easy to inadvertently nudge up. Second, the detent between low and high beams is too weak; it does not force the switch to click between settings, but allows it to remain in a half-way position.

Now that I know it does this, I will be careful to ensure the switch is in the correct position. Riding with the headlight inadvertently off is something of a safety issue, in my view.

I rebuilt the rear wheel of my RX3 with a size 2.50-17, Warp9 alloy rim. :) If you are interested, you can learn more at the following thread.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=14974

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...pspic238s6.jpg

Hit 2,000 miles on my ride in to work this morning...I know, it's nothing compared to what some have already done, but quite a few, since most of them have been on my commute back and forth to work :)

congrates on the first 2000 miles. Time for an oil change and a ice cream to celebrate I always say!!!! rj

:) congratulations!
I'm still looking forward to my first *200* miles ;) and my first commute to work LOL

Disassemble the switch. Should be an easy repair. Usually a piece of spring steel inside applying pressure to a ball bearing that clicks in and out of place for the detent. Be careful as there will be a spring under the ball bearing and you don't want to loose any of the small parts. Bend whatever you need to make the switch work better then smear it all with dielectric grease and you will never have a problem again.

Again be very careful of small parts under spring pressure.

/

Headlight switch dead spot?
 

Good suggestion on repairing the switch, Adjuster. I take it you checked yours and determined that it can't get stalled in a "dead" position? If that's the case, I may contact CSC about a new switch. It is supposed to be under warranty.

That is good general advice, but I don't believe Adjuster owns an RX3. ;)

Yes, the switch can easily get stalled in a 'dead' position. In fact, my light switch used to stall in a 'dead' position. Then the low beam would not work. Finally, the light switch would not work for either beam in any position. :ohno:

I took the switch apart, and it is not designed in such a way so it can be repaired. Therefore, I cleaned the switch, and applied dielectric grease to the contacts, but it was dead. :ohno:

I contacted CSC, and they sent me a new switch. CSC has excellent customer service, which is unparalleled in the world of Chinese motorcycles, and excellent for bikes from any country of origin. :)

I removed the slide switch which controls the headlights from the old switchgear, and I installed a nice toggle switch, instead. :) I will post a thread on that repair this evening, and leave a link in this thread. ;)

Hey all, had something odd happen. Came back from riding with the Western US tour. Which was awesome. Was glad to have met a bunch of you owners. Anyhow, was time to change the oil. When replacing the 8mm nuts on the oil filter cover I finger threaded first one side on a little then the other side. Then fingered tightend them down to snug. I next used my 8mm t-handle wrench to just add a little more snugness to make sure no leaks. One side snugged down fine the other just kept spinning and spinning. So I got my vice grips out and got a hold of the nut and pulled while backing off, hoping to get the nut to catch. No luck. However the post finally unscrewed and I was able to then cut the nut off. Oddly the first couple of threads are intact, but several of the next few threads are stripped on the post. Has me scratching my head what happened since I hand threaded them. :doh: Oh well will call CSC in the morning and hope they have the post screw I need in stock.

As long as someone doesn't overtighten, two flange head bolts would work as well, maybe better. :) However, a lot of people would overtighten the bolts, and strip the threads in the crankase, so studs were installed by the designer. ;)

I repaired the headlight slider switch on my Zongshen RX3 switchgear. Here is a link to a thread which describes how I did it. ;)

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...457#post189457

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps4xk42eow.jpg

New Rocker Headlight Switch
 

Spud, that's a great fix. The main objective of my initial post was to alert RX3 owners to the dead spot issue so they aren't riding around with their headlight off. I had planned to live with the switch while checking to make sure I had not nudged it to the dead spot. Your post suggests that more problems may be ahead for my switch. I do hope CSC is looking into a better fix as well.

NoVa I don't own an RX3 like you guys but all these switches on any motorcycle of any manufacturer pretty much work exactly the same. Some are going to be built to better quality and tolerances then others but the basic internal mechanics and functions are the same. Just open your switch up and have a look around. I bet you will be able to easily tweak it to work much better. Its all springs and ball bearings. Each ball bearing is a detent for the different functions and sometimes they are not under enough spring pressure to make a good and positive detent and connection.

Again a warning. Lots of small parts under spring pressure. Make sure you have a good hold on everything so you don't lose any parts. Its even a good idea to disassemble in a box or under a towel to keep parts from shooting over into the neighbors yard never to be found again.


/

Once again, that is very good general advice. :) However, I examined this particular component thoroughly, and I could not find any effective way to fix or adjust it. :shrug: Therefore, I cleaned it, applied dielectric grease, and reassembled it. However, it still would not work. If anyone finds a way to fix/adjust this switch, I hope they will post the information. :)

The rest of the components in this particular switch, and the switchgear on the right handlebar, are very nice. :) However, this particular component is designed in such a way that it is extremely difficult, or impossible to fix/adjust, and any such efforts which are successful probably wouldn't last very long. ;)

Indeed, I like my RX3 very much. :) However, I am sure this problem will arise again, so I presented the information as a service to my fellow RX3 owners. As always, the customer service I received from CSC was superb, and I'm sure this minor issue will be resolved. :)

Many people have ridden thousands of miles on the Zongshen RX3; it has proven itself to be a reliable, and fun motorcycle. In fact, the fellows from CSC are currently making a group ride of 5,000 miles across the western United States. :)

http://californiascooterco.com/blog/

The RX3 has an excellent engine, cooling system, transmission, clutch, et cetera. Every motorcycle has a minor fault or two. ;) I think it is an excellent testimony to the quality of the Zongshen RX3 that the switch for the high/low beam is the only real problem I have found with the bike after riding it for 6,000 miles. :) I'm sure this minor problem will be easily, and quickly resolved.

These forums are here to help the community of Chinese motorcycle owners. Whenever we note a potential problem, we will let you know about it, so you can be prepared. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psbgwuhvwk.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1cpwfzhp.jpg

issues
 

hmm i wonder if thats why people tell me my headlight flickers on and off,,when im on the road ,,when im told this ,i get off ,an walk around to the front and look an it seems fine..Also has anyone taken there rear shock off an measured it,,,,the length and the bolt hole size at each end,,,,,,i really have to get something different,,,,mine is defective ,,has no dampening at all....after calling csc ,,,they offered to exchange it ,,,,or i could wait an buy the new improved shock they're working on,...but in the mean time i cant go off pavement at all.Oh an yesterday bike did NOT stall,,,go figure ,,,,,but got a rear flat ,,,,air coming out the spoke hole!! I wish i had the money an spud's talent ,id just get a warp 9 rim an avoid all the trouble he spoke of!

head light adjustment
 

Does the head light have adjustment up and down? Mine seems to be pointing down too much when riding at night. I looked and don't see an adjustment screw any where around the headlight. Don't have manual or dvd with me just now as I'm at work and ,well lazy ,easier to ask you guys as I forget about it when home or till riding again at night, Ya know what I mean, thanks rj

You just loosen the 2 Allen headed screws on each side of the headlight, and tilt it where you want it, and tighten back up.... and Done :)

thanks Huck, way too simple for me to figure out on my own :))))))))rj

No problem...sometimes it's hardest to see when it's right in front of you... (at my age anyway :)....now where are my reading glasses..... :) )

Don't feel bad. It stumped me too! I ended up pointing it all the way up. When I aimed at a wall, that seemed to be the right height.

I just got back from a 3-day trip to the Great Salt Lake. I will post a complete ride report later, but here are a few photographs until then. :)


http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psi3fsaih1.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psm22iork0.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psshgjmwws.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psmasrsqp7.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1jddam6k.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psfdozsqxw.jpg

Looking forward to ride report Spuds. So how fast did you get it going on the flats? Break any records? Got to ask why no LH pannier? rj

I'm betting I broke all records for the Zongshen RX3, since I was probably first across the flats. :lol:

I like trying different luggage configurations. The right pannier is good for holding clothing layers, and small packages. It is nice always to have some dry, lockable storage on the bike. Drive chain maintenance and washing are easier without the left side pannier, and the bike is lighter. The travel trunk unlocks easily from the luggage rack, so I can add or subtract it as I please. :) Since I stayed in a motel, I didn't need the extra storage for this trip.

Here are several videos from AKT, which is importing the Zongshen RX3 to Columbia. Two riders from AKT acccompanied the 5,000-mile, CSC tour of the western United States. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhTvhE-GPLM

The Zongshen RX3 is being imported to Argentina, and sold as the Corven Triax 250 Touring.

http://www.corvenmotos.com/motos/triax-250-touring

http://www.corvenmotos.com/assets/up..._banner1_l.jpg

I just received an email from CSC reporting the 13T C/S sprockets have arrived. :) If you ride at high altitudes, or you just want better acceleration and low speed handling, I strongly encourage you to at least experiment with the 13T C/S sprocket. :) CSC is selling the 13T C/S sprockets for $12.95.

Sweet! I just ordered one!