2021 csc rx4

[tknj99]

Originally Posted by DavidInMaine

So now that you’ve had it for a bit, what’s your opinion on it as far as a sort of do-it-all bike? Is it capable enough to ride two-up over the interstate? How is it for a daily commuter?

I just broke out of the break-in period and am at around 650 miles. Having opened her up and rode on a 70mph stretch of highway, she is more than capable.. i find that it cruises comfortably over 70mph.. I haven't done much 2-up but i suspect it'd be fine for that, perhaps rev out the gears a bit more than when solo. With that said, i think itd be a capable daily commuter as well and the hard boxes hold quite a bit, ie.. dont be afraid to do a Costco run lol

Since it is ADV and can do offroad as well, it beats out a cruise bike if you can only have one do-it-all bike.. otherwise, i think the ideal would be a cruise bike since it'd be more comfortable loping around on the highway with rpm's and torque down low.. and pair that with a dual sport or ADV.
When my son eventually inherits my Brozz, ill probably use the RX4 for more off-road work and then pick up a cruise bike for comfort touring.

Hope that helps

[tknj99]

While riding today, i noticed a yellow wrench start flashing on my display and i had an o-s#$@ moment thinking it was the check engine. I later realized it must be a service light and called CSC to ask how to reset it.. pretty simple, with ignition on just hold the Select button and it should go away. The bike is at 650 miles btw.

[tknj99]

Another observation: i notice that when wearing my full helmet the exhaust tends to reverberate inside the helmet and its generally noisy. Also, with the visor down it gets rather hot due to the windshield. I find that wearing my half-helmet (DOT) its much more comfortable, less noise and overall a better experience.. Anyone else notice this?

[DavidInMaine]

I have a highway bike already. It’s just that it’s big and heavy, and I find that I don’t care for riding it in the city. So I’ve been thinking a small adv might be nice. Been looking at the RX4, Himalaya, Honda C500X, and KTM 390 Adventure. I lean towards the CSC be cause of all it comes with for less money.

[tknj99]

It will definitely fit the bill then for you.. it definitely punches above its belt for the price and performs well enough. The only negatives that i've noticed are as follows:
1. The stock seat sucks! Either get the aftermarket one CSC sells for it or do what i have done and plan on unstapling the cover and inserting gel padding inside
2. The ECU could use a tune to work out some of the off/on throttle uneasiness it has. Which leads me to #3
3. There is little to no aftermarket for the bike.. no tunes, no fuel controllers, etc. You'd be hard pressed to even find Zongshen in a drop-down list of bikes

And then after mentioning those things, i am forced to remember how much i paid for the bike, and that they are minor quibbles in the end.

[tknj99]

Didn't find this in online searches so in case it helps anyone else, to wire up the ABS disable, you remove the 2 bolts where the ignition is and then you'll see three clips, the one with the green and orange wires is for ABS.
To connect to it you can either buy the A1/A2 Female Connector that CSC sells for $3 plus $6 shipping or you can cut the wires and connect up with solder/connectors.
As per CSC, it doesn't matter the order you connect these 2 wires to the wires on the button you purchase and i believe the extra wire for lighting wont work but CSC mentioned that a momentary button should be more effective vs a switch... I just ordered this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It should come in handy the next time im running around the loose gravel or steep declines.

[tknj99]

Add an Inch where it Counts:

I wanted a little more height to the windscreen and didn't really like those add on the top extenders very much so decided to see what can be done with the stock windscreen. I came up with the following and i think it worked out quite well. This adds one inch to the height of the stock windscreen and looks factory:

1. Remove stock windscreen
2. Hold the stock windscreen above the existing holes in the metal so that you can see metal behind the holes where new holes will be drilled
3. Insert a marker into the holes in the windscreen to mark the metal where you will be drilling
4. Using a 3/16" drill bit carefully drill thru each mark
5. Go back thru each hole with the bit to slightly enlarge each hole and then insert the screw into the hole until you can rethread the hole and seat the screw
6. Replace the windscreen and insert the screws

Let me know what you think

[tknj99]

Update:
6/7: Added momentary ABS-disable switch

Ordered this to try out and see if i can raise the windscreen further:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Based on measurement shown for the similar part for a newer CB500x it should use work with the new holes i drilled

[tknj99]

Update: Added another 2" to the stock windscreen height and now have a total of 3" over stock height.

In a previous post, i wrote up instructions to drill new holes to raise the windscreen 1". The following instructions are in addition to that process:

1. Order the CB500x windscreen extender here ($22):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T2Z35PV...roduct_details

2. Mount the extension bars using the top holes previously drilled in the stock windscreen support brackets. Use the short screws provided with the kit and find nuts laying around in your toolbox. Tighten so that the bars don't move
3. Line up the windscreen so that the bottom holes will align with the bars. This step enables you to move the bars slightly as needed so that everything lines up
4. Drill 2 new 9/16" holes into the support bracket thru the bottom support holes. Tighten using the short screws provided in the kit.
5. With the bars mounted, you will now affix the windscreen. You will need to locate longer screws, washers and nuts for this step.

Took her for a spin and wind protection is so much better now! All in $22, well worth the price of admission!

The bars allow some adjustment between 2" and 3" total height.. the last 2 pics show at 3" height and then 2" height

[tknj99]

Some additional observations:
Went for a nice fairly long ride today split between highway and twisty backroads..
Power/Handling:
The RX4 has just enough power not to get you in trouble.. on tight twisty roads you can swoop thru them and then accelerate out hard right before leaning into the next curve.. on a bike with 100+ hp, we have the tendency to twist it out and then brake hard on the next curve and if we are overzealous, wind up coming in hot and go too far over and have to correct hard. The RX4 is just right, it has a fully usable powerband for these situations.
Accelerating onto a highway is adequate and enough to get you flowing traffic quick enough.. here is where that 100+ hp is nice, but again probably overkill, and before you know it you're at triple digits and fearing for cops..
Again, the RX4 is just right, not too fast and not too slow, a nice balance.

Noise/Wind:
After raising the windscreen (currently at 2" over stock) the wind protection is great, although i have found that due to what the consensus seems to point to as intake noise under heavy throttle, i prefer using my half-helmet instead of full so that i dont get the drone in my helmet. I see some posts on this where someone remedied the RX3 intake which i assume is the same or close to the RX4 intake, and hopefully can get a how-to for remedying it.

Comfort:
Another gripe that i plan to fully remedy is the sucky seat.. which pushes you in a weird forward angle and is hard as a rock atleast to me. I've already added some thin foam and waiting on the 1/2" gel to arrive and then plan to attack it with the gel as well as foam to try to make the seat as level as possible.
As it is, i have found that sitting as far back as possible is the most comfortable for me..

[tknj99]

Update: received 1/2" gel pad (14x14") and cut the edges towards the front at an angle following the contour of the seat and then installed the gel pad on top of the 1" foam i already had added. I also cut a 4"x6" foam pad and installed it under the stock seat foam towards the front to help level out the seat. With everything installed and buttoned up, the pad is noticeable but i dont care much about that.. Sitting on it feels much better than before.
I think we have a winner and cost was $20.. very nice!

[tknj99]

Random thoughts: Getting to 10/10:

I think as delivered, the RX4 is a 7 out of 10 stars. Some easy and inexpensive fixes via extension of windshield, ABS disable and seat cushioning i posted about can get it to the 8 stars in my book. To make this bike even better and reach that 10 out of 10, i'd say two things are needed:
+1 star: increased suspension travel/better suspension. Although i havent put the bike thru her paces offroad, from what i've read from others this point is relevant
+1 star: ECU tuning or piggyback module to eke out some more power and smooth out the rough spots in the off/on throttle delivery

[tknj99]

First issue: 930 mi. Was riding into town when i stepped on the rear brake and noticed it was a bit mushy.. Pressed a few more times and nothing, rear brake no longer working and smoke coming off the bottom exhaust skid plate. Pulled over and noticed the rear brake resevoir at the low mark. I rode back home using front brake only and then removed the side cover to have a closer look. When pressing down on the rear brake i can see and hear fluid shooting out of the connection point shown in the pic (circled in red). I assume this is the ABS controller. I left a message for a tech at CSC and curious what the next steps may be. I did remove the 2 bolts holding this unit to the engine and thought perhaps the nut was loose but it wont budge..
Any thoughts while i wait.. thanks

[duck9191]

abs module. you can try loosening the nut, make sure the line is square, and retighten but the flair on the line might be damaged which will cause a leak.

[tknj99]

Thanks, i just spoke with Scott at CSC yesterday and he mentioned he has a new customer bike he was taking for a test ride that has the same exact issue, inner nut closest to shock leaking just like mine.. they are diagnosing the issue but he mentioned that he tried exactly that and tightened it as much as could be and it still was leaking. So perhaps it may need a new fitting, he said they will determine best resolution and let me know. Perhaps its something that will affect the batch of RX4's that have gone out recently.