New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Indeed. A true 7.9" travel would be a nice surprise. If it turns out to be fact, I can see buying a set for Lifanda.

I wonder if the rear shock is also equipped with a schraeder valve for charging with Nitrogen.

I haven't seen any detailed photographs of the shock absorber...yet. Apparently the spring preload for the shock is set in 5 distinct steps, which is similar to the system employed by the shock in the Kawaskai KLR650.

I've been thinking the same thing about upgrading the forks on my ZS200GY-2 with the RX3 forks. The RX3 forks appear to have the same external dimensions as the stock, Chinese forks, and would probably fit the standard Chinese triple tree. Therefore, you don't need to mess with the bike's ignition, fork lock, or instrumentation to perform the conversion.

However, the lower fork guards for the RX3 forks aren't designed for a dirt bike. If they have the same dimensions, I think the ZS150GY-10 forks would have the same travel, and be a better candidate for such a conversion. Also, one probably has to convert to the front wheel designed for the forks, and the 21-inch front wheel of the ZS150GY-10 is a much better choice for a dirt bike.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...79&ns=1#detail

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...91&ns=1#detail

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...43&ns=1#detail

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I haven't seen any detailed photographs of the shock absorber...yet. Apparently the spring preload for the shock is set in 5 distinct steps, which is similar to the system employed by the shock in the Kawaskai KLR650.

I've been think the same thing about upgrading the forks on my ZS200GY-2 with the RX3 forks. The RX3 forks appear to have the same external dimensions as the stock, Chinese forks, and would probably fit the standard Chinese triple tree. Therefore, you don't need to mess with the bike's ignition, fork lock, or instrumentation to perform the conversion.

However, the lower fork guards for the RX3 forks aren't designed for a dirt bike. If they have the same dimensions, I think the ZS150GY-10 forks would have the same travel, and be a better candidate for such a conversion. Also, one probably has to convert to the front wheel designed for the forks, and the 21-inch front wheel of the ZS150GY-10 is a much better choice for a dirt bike.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...79&ns=1#detail

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...91&ns=1#detail

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...43&ns=1#detail

Excellent points. A fork that is intended for off-road fork protectors and a conventional fender would be better.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Indeed. A true 7.9" travel would be a nice surprise. If it turns out to be fact, I can see buying a set for Lifanda.

I wonder if the rear shock is also equipped with a schraeder valve for charging with Nitrogen.

Here's a fuzzy photograph from the Minsk TRX 300i Owner's Manual.



Do you think that little nub is a schrader valve?

[Wolftrax]

Looks like CSC will be offerring a number of accesories. Found this doodling over at the CSC blog.



Looks like there will be rear sprockets

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

Looks like CSC will be offerring a number of accesories. Found this doodling over at the CSC blog.



Looks like there will be rear sprockets

Very nice. I was thinking that if tubeless wire wheels were available, I would definitely spring for that.

If anyone lives in Salt Lake, they could take it to Ricochet and see if they would make a bash plate for it.

I'm thinking that the Highway Dirt Bikes universal handguards would work. At least I will try it on mine.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

Looks like CSC will be offerring a number of accesories. Found this doodling over at the CSC blog.



Looks like there will be rear sprockets

Thanks for posting the good information, Mark. I didn't know Joe was a physician; I can hardly read his handwriting.



Here is the list I can decipher from the drawing.

Exhaust Systems
K&N Air Filter
Racks for Luggage Uppers
Hard and Soft Baggage Options
Additional Racking
Seats
Heated Seats
Enclosed System for Fording Deep Water (EFI Throttle Tube)
Paint
Tank Bags
Lever Brush Guards
Built-in GPS Options (Digital Dashboard)
Driving Lights
Panniers
Tubeless Wire Wheels ala BMW
Engine Guards (Skid Plates)
(Foot) Pegs
Center Stand
Gear Ratios (Sprockets)
Tires
Heated Grips
Taller Windshield

The Russian reviews talk about a heated grip option. Some of the Russians also said the stock windshield was too short. Fortunately, we early adopters are getting the taller, clear windshield.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Here's a fuzzy photograph from the Minsk TRX 300i Owner's Manual.



Do you think that little nub is a schrader valve?

I doubt it. Nitrogen shocks typically have a reservoir for that purpose, with a heavy rubber bag inside. The Nitrogen pushes against the bag and pressurizes the oil.

I couldn't tell from the other pics of the shock was reservoir-equipped, and it looks like it is not.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I doubt it. Nitrogen shocks typically have a reservoir for that purpose, with a heavy rubber bag inside. The Nitrogen pushes against the bag and pressurizes the oil.

I couldn't tell from the other pics of the shock was reservoir-equipped, and it looks like it is not.

Yes, both shock absorbers on my Honda motorcycles have an external reservoir, and both can be rebuilt. I seem to remember the shock absorber of the QLink XP200 has a schrader valve for setting preload; does that shock have an air bladder?

[Wolftrax]

We may be seeing the RX-3 sooner tha later. Copied from the CSC front page:


When the bike completes the US certification process (expected to occur within the next several weeks), we’ll call you and ask for a $500 deposit. You pay the balance when the bike is delivered.

[rtking]

Wolftrax - thanks for posting the update. I'm anxious to take delivery. Heck, I've even put away funds for the $500 deposit!

Spud - I may have missed this in another thread, but were you able to find oil capacity? And I wonder what weight is recommended? I understand that there are two oil pumps in this engine… one for the cylinder and to spray the piston, and the other for the transmission (so the trans won't have to rely on oil splash for lubrication.)

Thanks for the great photos of the top end. It really does look like servicing this bike will be straight forward and without having to remove much (if any) tupperware. If I read correctly, the only plastic that might need to come off is on the left side to service the air filter or reach the battery, but otherwise it's almost all accessible.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by rtking

...Spud - I may have missed this in another thread, but were you able to find oil capacity? And I wonder what weight is recommended? I understand that there are two oil pumps in this engine… one for the cylinder and to spray the piston, and the other for the transmission (so the trans won't have to rely on oil splash for lubrication.)...

I just discovered today the oil capacity is 1.3 L, or approximately 1.4 quarts. That's a nice oil capacity for an engine this size, especially with water cooling.

I'm going to use Mobil, Delvac 15W/40 engine oil, just as I do in my Zongshen ZS200GY-2, Honda XR650L, and Honda CRF250X. You might enjoy reading the following articles on motor oil.

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Consumables.html#Oil

Rather than two oil pumps, I suspect the oil pump probably has two chambers, as with the oil pump in my Honda XR650L. However, I haven't seen any photos of the RX3 oil pump...yet. The oil pump rotors are shown in the link below, and look very similar to the rotors in my XR650L oil pump.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...73&ns=1#detail

The engine does employ both a coarse oil filter, and a fine oil filter. The coarse oil filter seems to be a reusable, stainless steel mesh.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...15&ns=1#detail

The fine oil filter is available in both stainless steel, and paper element forms.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...61&ns=1#detail

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...23&ns=1#detail

The coarse oil filter is located in front of the fine oil filter, and both are accessed by bolts on the right crankcase.

Originally Posted by rtking

...Thanks for the great photos of the top end. It really does look like servicing this bike will be straight forward and without having to remove much (if any) tupperware. If I read correctly, the only plastic that might need to come off is on the left side to service the air filter or reach the battery, but otherwise it's almost all accessible.

You're welcome. I agree. Also, I'm confident I can avoid removing the luggage rack and trunk by performing a little judicious trimming of the colored side panel.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

That exhaust header looks like stainless, and the lower motor mount welding is superb.

[SpudRider]

The following thread confirms the RX3 swingarm employs both bushings and bearings.

http://forum.onliner.by/viewtopic.ph...7264&start=540

If I read it correctly, I think this thread also states the bike has a 200 watt alternator. The RX3 also employs an HS1 headlight bulb, which should be compatible with an H4 bulb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:KDS4444/HS1_bulb



In fact, I will probably do an H4 LED headlight conversion.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=13947

This thread also reports the fuel tank has a reserve. However, the Minsk bike at that time had a carburetor. I don't think you can implement a reserve tank with an EFI fuel pump, can you?

Here's some good news. The original Minsk had the 15-inch rear wheel, and it had a stock, 14T/44T sprocket combination. Therefore, the stock C/S sprocket might be 14T, which bodes well for a larger rear wheel which employs the upgraded cush hub.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

This thread also reports the fuel tank has a reserve. However, the Minsk bike at that time had a carburetor. I don't think you can implement a reserve tank with an EFI fuel pump, can you?

Not likely, hence the fuel gauge.

[SpudRider]

The Police version of the Minsk TRX 300i was proffered to law enforcement in Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia. I can't confirm if any of these police departments actually bought the bikes.

http://auto.onliner.by/2013/10/25/moto-94