Zongshen 450?
 

Can't get links to work but this seller on taobao appears to have the 450 engine for $1543

Bad link

X2; I got a bad link.

Didn't someone post a pic or article of a Zongshen 5-year plan that showed the development of much larger cc bikes for US sales?

Yes, the Zongshen plan has the RX4 slated for introduction in 2017. ;)

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....postcount=4969

http://www.chinariders.net/attachmen...9&d=1461182589

http://www.chinariders.net/attachmen...0&d=1461182589

I hope this link works. It's from my tablet.

http://m.intl.taobao.com/detail/deta...id=25216172723


Edit: non-mobile link

https://world.taobao.com/item/25216172723.htm

Thanks for trying, but I still get a bad link. :shrug:

450cc engine
 

A 450cc engine is an exciting prospect. In addition to the larger displacement engine they will probably have to modify and improve the brakes, suspension and frame to match the extra power of the larger engine.

This would make for a very attractive bike.

When will CSC begin to accept orders? I want to get in line. :hi:

Here's a link for non-mobile devices:

https://world.taobao.com/item/25216172723.htm

I don't think it's ready yet ... the translation says:

NC450 is currently undergoing final testing
Our preparations underway related accessories
Official sales have been just around the corner, so stay tuned!

Edit: I don't know why the link doesn't work. Here's how to access it ... go to https://world.taobao.com and search for 'zongshen nc450'.

Thanks for trying another link, but it still won't connect on my computer. ;)

Your information is consistent with an introduction of the RX4 motorcycle next year. :)

Thanks for editing your post, and including the images. :)

The NC450 engine has been in production for at least several months. :) However, based upon the information from Detours and the published plans of Zongshen, the RX4 motorcycle will not be released until 2017.

Here are the dimensions of the NC250 vs the NC450:

• The NC450 is 40mm (1.5") taller than the NC250.
• In overall length the NC450 is 4.3mm (.2") shorter
• The front and bottom two mounting holes are dimensionally identical
• On the NC450, the CS sprocket is 9mm (.35") higher than the NC250.

So, in terms of a drop-in replacement, I'm not sure there's an extra 1.5" under the gas tank to accommodate the NC450 height, without some modification. And we would have to make sure the chain would clear the frame. There may be other frame fitment issues too.

NC250

http://g02.s.alicdn.com/kf/HTB18tjpF...Xq6xXFXXXL.jpg

NC450

http://www.chinariders.net/attachmen...1&d=1461506238

I would think the evolution of the RX4 will be watched closely by many given the ever expanding growth and proven durability of the RX3. Ive read too many posts of people with the "bigger is better" mindset saying that's the range they are wanting .... I'm gonna stick with the 250 ... be is an RX3 or Bashan - I think it's the perfect buzz to town and go exploring the country roads size.. just my opinion. 6 years ago I bought a KLR650 for that purpose and it didnt take long to realize it was too big and bulky for me to lug around fence rows, cow paths and field waterways/drainage ditches.... at least for me it was.

250's not bad at all for sub 65mph work but a 450 if it's only a small weight penalty would make the RX3 shine bright amongst a larger group of riders. With a 450 you should get excellent performance to 85mph or so which means lower RPM's and a comfortable cruise on the highway which would eliminate the only weakness the RX3 has. I'm positive a 450cc similar design wouldn't weigh much more than the current 250cc.


The ADV world has been drooling for a 450cc bike for a long time now.

The CB500X is already 471cc... proven design, world engine. A true 65 mpg, and 85 mph highway cruising speed. Plus, being a parallel twin, it will naturally be smoother than a larger displacement thumper.

Cb500x
 

Not to mention that it features the plastic guard under the front of the engine as well as those two downswept exhaust pipes to protect the frame when you bang over rocks and logs.

If you stay with the black version (non ABS) you can add the luggage to make just almost as well equipped as the RX3 for about $7700, plus destination charge and dealer expenses.

If CSC does decide to include the RX4 and go forward with the emissions certification, it will be interesting to see the price.

True but with the price difference similarly equipped you could probably get and RX4 and and bonus RC3 lol.

The CB500's are great bikes but I wouldn't use one like I'm using the RX3.

WOW!!! I guess I live in the right part of the USA then, because they are selling all over the place for waaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy less than $7700 !!!!!
I looked at this very bike many months ago ( prior to buying my Vulcan 500 )
and was very impressed with ALMOST every bit of it. Except the once thing Honda SERIOUSLY screwed up on in my strong opinion, , , , the foot pegs
are set up more like a sport bike / street fighter than a dual sport. I hate, I LOATHE , , , I despise the " heel under your butt " foot peg arrangement
like what was on my CB300F.
Here is a link to where you can get a 2015 Honda CB500X for under $5500 out the door.
Clickythingy ----> http://www.cycletrader.com/dealers/C...500X-114908795
.
.
I have not sat on a RX3 yet, but can clearly see from photos the pegs are more like a dual sport.
IF the RX4 lands under $5k, it has my vote!
And a 450cc single "thumper" would actually be a better motor IMO because
of the gobs of low down torque. I prefer Honda's 300 over the Ninja's for this sole reason. ( that, and just that much less moving parts to cause a failure )
.
Looks like Zong has heard my plea!!!!! :D
.
.
EDIT: I totally missed the "you can ADD the luggage " part till I re read the post. LOL Still, , SURELY you can get paniers for less than $2700 off of e-bay or amazon.

Duh, you can get black anodized, top loading aluminum 36l cases for $400 delivered.

And the CBX is only $6400 new 2016 model. Get the '15 model it's $4900 - $5400, and many dealers are still trying to get rid of any left over '14s for $4000. And that's not to mention the used market. And if you can't negotiate dealer fees, perhaps you should stick to ebay or craigslist.

I would suspect, that if CSC decided to also bring over the RX4, that the initial don't miss the boat price would make it totally worth it... but chances are, it'll retail closer to $5895 to keep it well under the KLR, at $6599. On paper it will look like a bargain, 6 speed, fuel injection AND luggage.

But if I'm going to be dropping $6-7k on anything, I'll be shopping around. And plastic luggage won't sway me one way or the other. Real world usage says that my wolfman soft bags are far better for extended trips anyway.

So I start looking at real world MPG, over all weight, torque, suspension travel, ease of repair, world-wide parts availability. Those alone, is why the KLR remains the Jack of All dual sports.

When I got the Cyclone, I seriously underestimated what a paltry 24hp actually means out anywhere but the city streets.

Clearly, I'm not brand loyal. I'm only loyal to the art of Adventuring and Dual Sporting. Whatever machine can get me there and back again, without much fuss, I'll back it!

The CBX is a good looking bike however I recall a few years ago running across photos and a few articles on their XRE300 series and really liking it, only to be disappointed that Honda neglected the North American market. . . turned out to be a good thing because it, in my opinion, left the gate wide open for Zongshen via CSC to begin carving out a sweet piece of the pie with what is looking to be a superior and extremely popular product. When I first saw the RX3 I thought of the XRE..... Doesn't really matter....the RX3 was sexy and it was coming to North America and I started making my plans to get one if at all possible. I for one am glad to see new competition and innovation being plugged into the market. I'm anxious to see where Zongshen and CSC take us on this journey!
:tup:

The rear mounting hole is also in the same location relative to the other mounting holes.
The top mounting holes are in completely different locations; on top of the 250 head and behind the 450 head.
I found the 450 sprocket to be about 2mm higher and about 13mm rear-ward of the 250's.

Build your CB500X
 

Here, build your own. You may not want the Honda luggage. Besides, they're not offering a top box, just a rack for it.

https://powersports.honda.com/2016/cb500x/build.aspx

Questions about 450cc rx4
 

Any guesses on what the horsepower will be?

Weight?

Price?

Will CSC even import this RX4 ?

Of course this would be purely speculative but I would like to know what some of you think.

Here's a HP/torque graph ... 44 HP, 29 ft-lbs of torque.

http://g02.s.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1DAXsJ...motorcycle.png

Those figures are on par with the CB500X

43/32 respectively.

That would be perfect power for my needs but then it will become a question of price points. I can get a used klr for a comparable price. Hmmmm...

The CB500X can be set up fairly inexpensively to be a very good 50/50 machine. I got my 2014 new in 2015 for $5000. The Rally Raid conversion set me back another $2800. So for $7800 I have a 470cc PT with a premium suspension capable of going just about anywhere while delivering an honest 60 mpg and a very comfortable cruising speed of 75mph. That being said I still would give the RX4 a serious look if the price was right.

I'm thinking more like half that price.

Indeed, that's why I bought a Zongshen RX3 for $2,895, which included all the following standard equipment. :)

U.S. Delphi Fuel Injected Engine
Water Cooled Engine with 2 Radiators, and 2 Radiator Fans
6-Speed Transmission
Superb Clutch
Excellent Headlight (with H4 bulb)
Full Engine Guards
Tall, Effective Windshield
Siemens Digital Dashboard
LED Turn Signals and Brake Light
4.2-Gallon (16-Liter) Fuel Tank
Locking Gas Cap
Integrated Luggage with Locks
Perimeter Engine Frame
Strong Sub-frame to Support Heavy Loads
Stainless Steel Exhaust Header
37mm USD Forks
Shock Absorber with Spring Preload Adjustment and Rebound Damping Adjustment
Progressive Lower Shock Linkage
1-1/8 inch, Fat Aluminum Handlebars
Skid Plate
Black Anodized Hubs
17-inch Rear Wheel with an Excellent Cushion Hub
Disc Brakes on Both Wheels
Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Hydraulic Brake Light Switch on Rear Wheel
110-Link, Size 520, O-Ring Drive Chain
Wide, Serrated Foot Pegs with Rubber Inserts for both Rider and Passenger
300-watt Stator Output
Deluxe Wiring Harness with two Fused, Switched, Auxillary Power Connections
2-Year Warranty for Parts
1-Year Warranty for Parts and Labor

Both warranties include unlimited mileage, and are backed by the exceptional customer support from CSC, in Azusa, California. :tup:

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...pst7bapvti.jpg

I don't see there will be any less on the upcoming rx4, except the higher pricetag. Assuming csc wants to import it. Any noises on certification applications out there, I know it takes a long time to get anything upon our shores.

Thanx for the heads up Joe. I believe you have the machines to carry the day until the next offering is presented. But in the meantime you might start considering titles for your 450 book! Cant wait to read it as well.

"Oh, and one more thing. There’s been a lot of buzz on the Internet about the rumored Zongshen 450 single. Guys, that bike is not going to happen any time soon. My guess is 2018 at the earliest, and that’s if everything goes smoothly. I’ve ridden the prototype 450, and there’s still a lot of work left to do in finishing it. We’ll bring the 450 to you when it becomes available, but I’m here to tell you this: Ignore all the idle speculation and predictions on the forums. It’s going to be at least a couple of years before the 450 is available.

That’s all for now, folks. Stay tuned." http://californiascooterco.com/blog/

I love your feedback. That was the majority of my conversation at Horizon's Unlimited this weekend to all the R1200GS crowd. Bigger isn't always better, but look down on me for carrying the little guy. Just remember, it's the little guy that is passing you while hauling ass overseas.

Mad...did you take your 08 hd? Do you have a link to the horizons unlimited?

I think the rx4 bike should come in around 4850.00 just to keep it under the competition. They(scs,jong) know they have to work hard to keep the price low or else people will definitely go for the Japanese bikes and pass it up.

450 zong
 

I too await the arrival of a 450. , It is the perfect size power plant , , if it happens for a decent price, I predict zong sales to explode!

Actually I ended up in the car. My Dyna was with my buddy all weekend. He was putting in new steering bearings for me and new fork springs. Just bad timing for the event. Not a big deal though, a lot of people in go in cars and off-road trucks, RVs, and campers of all sorts. The RX4 should be cool. My husband was looking at Alibaba and found a big bore kit for the RX3 to make it a 300. Thought that was funny. He said if the engine died, that's when he would rebuild it with a big bore kit. I think that is a fair deal. :lmao:

If the 250 engine lasts as long as I suspect, the 450 version will be available before it's time to rebuild the original.

I agree completely, George. :)

It will be interesting what Zong come out with...
A 450 is what a lot want but no one makes as yet.
Zong need to get theres out first as it looks like
Honda & Yamaha look to be heading back into this market again...
Honda are going with the multi platform mined set ... CBxxxX CBxxxS / NCxxxX NCxxxS etc...
Yamaha have the motors they just need to put the bike around them..
XTZ700 twin tenere / XTZ900 triple tenere / talk of a 450 tenere based on
the WR450 motor.. but the 900 & 450 are a few years down the track yet..
XTZ700 will be here next year...
There is at the moment a 250 tenere sold in some markets.. "XT250 motor"

Can't imagine this market has gone un-noticed by Suzuki & Kawasaki either..
These two have come out with nothing new for a very long time....just rehash
the same old all the time..

I have read talk of a small KTM ADV bike built around the 390 Duke motor...?????

could be a interesting few years....see whats fact & whats not & whats just
internet BS....




..

Goldilocks (just right) and Unicorns
 

Continuing on Pete's thoughts from last year. Here is a great article which sums up pretty much the way many of us think around here. The zong/csc folks better get a move on because the midsize market is about to get crowded.

4 new mid's:

https://idratherberiding.com/2017/05...ing-to-market/

https://idratherberidingdotcom.files...ril-2017-2.jpg