09-29-2018, 12:33 AM | #31 |
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Redmond, WA.
Posts: 534
|
__________________
2017 BMW F800GS Adventure |
|
09-29-2018, 08:49 AM | #32 |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 363
|
Wow. This is really interesting. I wonder if they are offering both or are performing an evaluation exercise. They seem rather similar, right?
|
|
09-29-2018, 09:20 AM | #33 |
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Monroe,NC
Posts: 131
|
I'm assuming they have them here for EPA testing too.
|
|
09-29-2018, 09:44 AM | #34 | |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 363
|
Some things I dug out:
From CSC's blog: Source: http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=30049 And here's a review from a Brit based in China that rode both: Quote:
The 450cc is the most over-square of all the engines, so it's not a tractor. The 400cc is the same bore/stroke ratio as the RX3 so will likely make power in about the same way. Smooth and a little biased toward midrange and top. It's definitely targeted at the tarmac; I suspect that the RX3S will be the big seller in the USA. Time will tell. |
|
|
09-29-2018, 09:46 AM | #35 | |
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Posts: 632
|
Quote:
As an aside, I wonder what the tariff war is going to do to Zong pricing in the US. That might also affect our spare parts pricing. |
|
|
09-29-2018, 07:55 PM | #36 |
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 365
|
Rx3s
From the listed specs, I'm liking the RX3S more so than the RX4.
The RX4 is packing parallel twin 650 weight without the matching power. The RX3S on the other hand, is just a little heavier than the RX3 while delivering a nice bump in power. It also looks like the Tourfella aluminum luggage is now standard, which is another nice spec bump versus the RX3. Additionally, it has dual disc brakes; this has really been the only thing that I have found lacking on my current RX3. Compared to my Gold Wing, TT250 or Versys 650, the RX3 is a little slow to haul down from speed on pavement. I should be approaching 20,000 miles on my RX3 in another year, so depending upon how the powertrain holds up (running like a top currrently), I may be either replacing the RX3 or adding to the stable (time for a garage addition). We'll see. |
|
09-29-2018, 08:39 PM | #37 |
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 365
|
I recall reading on the Exhaust Notes blog that Steve Seidner stated to Baja John that the next shipment of TT250's, coming in October, may be more expensive due to tariffs on Chinese goods. If so, that will definitely affect RX3S and RX4 pricing, spare parts included. Current RX3 spare parts stock not so much, since it is already here and paid for.
|
|
09-29-2018, 08:49 PM | #38 | |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 363
|
Quote:
I wonder if CSC will still offer the RX3 down the line. I still think it's an attractive price point as long as it doesn't get higher, and it's still pretty light weight. Another question mark for me is reliability, cooling, and valve intervals. Shim or screw? |
|
|
09-29-2018, 09:33 PM | #39 | |
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 365
|
Quote:
Regarding the RX3, I think RX3S sales will determine that. If it does well, then they will probably drop it. If it tanks, then the RX3 stays for its low price point. Either way, I'm not concerned. The RX3S looks to be using a lot of the RX3 hardware: tires and rear wheel (I wonder if the front dual rotor wheel and forks can be retro fitted to the RX3?), what looks to be the same headlight, instrument cluster, etc. So RX3 parts should still be easy to come by if CSC drops it in favor of the RX3S. Concerning the engine valvetrain, I suspect that Zongshen will stay with what it knows and keep it screw type. Especially if they stick with the softer valve seats, which will require more frequent valve checks and adjustments. Having said that, the $30 I spend every 10,000 miles on a gallon of Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant has proven to be money well spent. My RX3 valves haven't budged since 4500 miles and I'm coming up on 13,000 miles now with no issues engine-wise. I even use it in the Versys 650 and TT250 and I'll continue to use it in these bikes too, if I decide to purchase one. |
|
|
09-30-2018, 08:04 AM | #40 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Posts: 632
|
Agree totally. Although not a featherweight machine, the RX3 is still so much easier to move around in the garage or on the trail than any of my previous bikes. I can live with another 15-20 lbs (the 380cc twin) if that also comes with a big bump in performance.
|
|
09-30-2018, 01:59 PM | #41 | |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 363
|
Quote:
What you said piqued my interest. How's the suspension? Is the RX4 up-soec'd everywere but the weight? I'm wondering if it might be their premium bike. |
|
|
09-30-2018, 03:00 PM | #42 |
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 382
|
When comparing weights remember the Zong Shen bikes include a significant number of accessories the other bikes do not. That's a significant weight penalty right there, and once you add all the accessories to most other bikes of similar type in the same displacements they are also porkers.
I probably won't spend the money on any of the new bikes since the RX3 with the 300 bore kit is such a pleasant ride. Might be better for me in the long run to find another RX3 engine to install a 300 kit and grind some transmission gears with wider ratios. Maybe design and build a custom exhaust that weighs less once the convertor needs replacing. We'll see. |
|
10-01-2018, 03:41 AM | #43 |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,266
|
Now where have I seen that motor before...
looks a lot like a Suzuki Inazuma GW250 motor.. A very good motor to copy... should be pretty dam bullet proof if they done it right... It just dosn't look close it is all but a mirror image of the GW250... What do yer think.... .
__________________
09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com |
|
10-01-2018, 08:52 AM | #44 | |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 363
|
Quote:
TC380 Suzuki The front of the crank case is certainly similar. Obviously the head's been reworked a fair bit. |
|
|
|
|
|
|