New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[CSCDude]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Also, please send a friendly hello to all our friends in Azusa, near La Ciudad de Los Angeles, The City of the Angels.

We do indeed love LA, traffic and all. Of course, Baja ain't bad, either. Here's the most recent ride (on the off chance you haven't seen it)...




We're going to do the ride again next year. You should join us.

[SpudRider]

Yesterday my parcel arrived from Taobao. All the items I ordered were present, in excellent condition, including the upgraded, LED headlight for the RX3. I have posted my review of the upgraded LED headlight at the following link.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...d=1#post184670

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by CSCDude

We do indeed love LA, traffic and all. Of course, Baja ain't bad, either. Here's the most recent ride (on the off chance you haven't seen it)...

We're going to do the ride again next year. You should join us.

Thanks for the invitation, Joe. Perhaps I will join you next year.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

excited and anxious My bike is scheduled to be picked up today! still dithering about trying to decide if I want to order some Barkbuster VPS hand guards with 12mm bar end inserts or if I want to wait until Barkbuster gets parts from CSC to make sure that they fit....ah decisions decisions.... now hopefully my tools get here before the bike does

I don't enjoy installing bark busters on any motorcycle, even if they don't require modifications. Therefore, if you are either inexperienced, or just don't like doing this kind of labor, I suggest you might be happier waiting for the refined product. I spent more time than I want to admit while installing the D-Flex handguards on my RX3.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by AZRider

I took a short ride this morning about 10 miles from my house. The first 2 are of Lake Pleasant, just NW of Phoenix. The third is taken from the same spot, but looking away from the lake. It's probably closer to how people picture AZ.

Thanks for posting the beautiful photographs, George. That looks like a very nice ride.

[woodlandsprite]

Beautiful photos George Do you find the stock tires to be fine on the graded dirt/gravel?

[woodlandsprite]

heh, Spudrider, you called it all out - I'm inexperienced and completely green and am still agonizing over cutting the grips just to get the barkbusters installed but the easier the install the better, so I think you're right I should wait until they refine the product - and in the meantime, I should try to be careful to not drop the bike and have to learn how to replace a lever :P

[AZRider]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

Beautiful photos George Do you find the stock tires to be fine on the graded dirt/gravel?

The tires are fine, but no more. I believe they have been rated as 90/10 with 90% road and 10% dirt and that is a fair assessment. If you are new to dirt riding, stick to graded dirt/gravel as you see in my photo, but as you gain experience and wear the first set out, you will want to get a better tire for off road. These tires are not for sand.

Check with the excellent posts that Spud has made on tire suggestions and I'm sure that he will refine his recommendations in the miles to come. I'm looking forward to his and other's posts on tires.

[woodlandsprite]

I have been keeping an eye on the tire thread here on this forum.
I see I'm going to have to learn how to change tires too once it comes time to do so...I have a lot of learning to do - and a lot of you tube videos to watch :P LOL

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by CSCDude

It looks good, Tony. Your mods are well engineered. Our compliments.

Thanks Joe. I appreciate the kind words.

I took the RX3 to the BMW dealer today. I have an F800GT and do business there. Before I got the bike, I told the manager, Mike about the RX-3. He asked me to bring it by, which I did today. He was impressed with the little touches on the bike, like the LED turn signals, and the power ports. He was surprised that the crash protection and luggage came with the bike. He commented that it is a lot of bike for the money. He told me that BMW is working with an Indian motorcycle company to produce a sub 500cc bike. They are aware that little bikes are coming back. They are going after the beginner market. Anyway, he liked the RX-3.

[woodlandsprite]

hey Tony, I forgot to ask your thoughts on the Gel Sheepskin seat cover - were you finding the stock seat uncomfortable? Is the Gel sheepskin cover helping?

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by G19Tony

Thank you WS. I'm nothing, if not fashionable.

And neat. Too neat. Your work area is so clean, it bugs me.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by CSCDude

We do indeed love LA, traffic and all. Of course, Baja ain't bad, either. Here's the most recent ride (on the off chance you haven't seen it)...




We're going to do the ride again next year. You should join us.

Thanks for sharing that vid, Joe. I'm quite envious.

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

hey Tony, I forgot to ask your thoughts on the Gel Sheepskin seat cover - were you finding the stock seat uncomfortable? Is the Gel sheepskin cover helping?

It helps some. I haven't ridden enough to report. I mainly bought it on Joe's recommendation. I've never had good luck with OEM seats. I had my Airhawk on it for a bit. The best seat so far, has been my BMW F800GT. I was on it for four hours the other day, and it wasn't bad.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

I have been keeping an eye on the tire thread here on this forum.
I see I'm going to have to learn how to change tires too once it comes time to do so...I have a lot of learning to do - and a lot of you tube videos to watch :P LOL

I have links to several tire changing videos in the RX3 Sticky Thread, pinned to the top of this forum.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6425
http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...498#post175498

If you use the proper tools, and the proper techniques, changing tires is not a difficult task; I almost enjoy it. However, I actually had to work to dismount the stock, 130/70-17 rear tire, since it has such a low aspect ratio. In all fairness, however, it was cool day. Changing tires is much easier when it is hot, and the rubber is soft.

In stark contrast, the size 5.10-17, Shinko, 244 rear tire spooned onto the rim very easily. I am very happy with the performance, and price, of this rear tire. I also like the Kenda, K270 tire, size 3.50-18, which I installed on the front wheel.