New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[SpudRider]

I started this thread 11 months ago, when I didn't think the Zongshen RX3 would ever grace the shores of North America.

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....43&postcount=1

I am one of the early, hard core Zongaphiles dating from anno domini 2008. When CSC announced the arrival of the RX3, I managed to resist the temptation for several weeks, but I ultimately couldn't pass up the early adopter price of $2,895.

[CSCDude]

11 years ago I bought a Z-06 Corvette with the GM employee discount. It was the only year Chevy allowed the employee discount on the Corvette, and that was at the dealer's discretion. My discount was over $17,000 off the normal MRSP price, and there was a $250 rebate on top of that. I'll remember that deal the rest of my life. I still have the Vette, but I will tell you that the Cyclone is a much more exciting ride.

The early adopter program on the RX-3 is going to be talked about for decades, I think. The bike is still a hell of a deal at $3495, and as someone said above, it would still be a deal even at a higher price, which is where this is going sometime in the near future. We're going to hold the $3495 price for a bit, but for how long, I don't know.



We're posting new stuff on the blog all the time, so check on us often. Next topic up will be adjusting the Cyclone's valves...

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Huck369

I don't like the that center stand doesn't raise the rear wheel off the ground, which is the only reason I want one, to aide in lubing the chain, and wheel changes.

You were correct; it has been verified on the CSC blog.

http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=14687

If I have to lift, and prop up up the rear wheel, I am going to use my swingarm stand at home, and a trail stand for tire repairs on the road.

http://endurostar.com/

[rtking]

Originally Posted by CSCDude

11 years ago I bought a Z-06 Corvette with the GM employee discount. It was the only year Chevy allowed the employee discount on the Corvette, and that was at the dealer's discretion. My discount was over $17,000 off the normal MRSP price, and there was a $250 rebate on top of that. I'll remember that deal the rest of my life.

Coincidence! 11 years ago, I got a SMOKING deal on a 2003 Mustang Mach 1 in Azure Blue. We're talking almost 30% off MSRP. I wish I held onto the car, but ran short of garage space (mine and rented) with several other vehicles. The CSC RX-3 Cyclone is another such smoking deal. I agree, it'll be talked about for a long time. And this won't force me to look for rental garage space, either!

[fishman10]

this all good ,but can i get the camo one instead of orange???? how much extra cost?

[Weldangrind]

Katflap, thanks for the pic. I have a TW200, and I presume it is a similar ride.

[Weldangrind]

Regarding the kickstand, couldn't you place a 2x4 under it?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Regarding the kickstand, couldn't you place a 2x4 under it?

I believe some have reported the kick stand is a little too short. However, it's not hard to weld a bigger foot on the kick stand.

[katflap]

Originally Posted by thillskier

Your van van reminds me of my brother and my Suzuki Trailhopper 50's. It was suzuki's answer to the Honda minitrail. Bulletproof, and trust me, we definitely "tested" their reliability hehe

I love the retro look of the van van reminds me of the good old days! and is pretty bulletproof as well. But there has been reports snaping the rear shock absorber when off roading.

Originally Posted by CSCDude

The bike is still a hell of a deal at $3495,

This is an amazing deal, im paying £3000 ( $4573 aprox ) for mine in the UK which is about the same price as a suzuki van van.I still think im getting an ok deal, but maybe bikes cost a bit more over here.

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Katflap, thanks for the pic. I have a TW200, and I presume it is a similar ride.

yeah pretty much. It was after hiring a TW 125 in France a number of years back that got me back in to bikes again,

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Thanks for posting the photograph of the Van Van. That is a nice little motorcycle.
Your Honley Venturer 250 will give you enough power to carry heavier loads and still fight off the head winds.

yeah , all that storage room is going to be great for packing my work gear into and keeping up with traffic will be a real bonus

[thillskier]

Hehe, we are large individuals brother and I. I was about 6 ft tall in 8th grade and brother similar. We rode hell out tf them, all offroad, and trying to keep up with our cousins (older with 125's and larger mostly). There was this "Masonic homes fiels around a pond we made a track and raced around that daily, until almost dark, (or fuel ran out! heh (and they were stingy re fuel, I remember. a tank (less than a gallon) would last a couple days pinned, I remember. It had a auto clutch and a three (down) tranny. The TS 50 we got whe I turned 14, was a regular hand clutched 1 dn, 4 up std pattern...great for training for a larger TS model in a yr or so! That little TS did 60+ indicated where there was room to get there (not great 0-60 for sure! The trail hopperwas a detunned but same rotary valved engine., except the auto clutch and 3speed trans.

I bought a used TS 185 at some time when 15 yrs old, and brother bought the TS from me, sold trailhopper to a neighbor kid, I believe, for 250.00! about 75 less than we paid for it! it had 3000+ off road HARD pinned mostly miles on it with nary a dealer visit, for ANYTHING. Neighbor has same results, and his Grandfather bought t for his motorhome campground scooter. THe kid rode hell out of it with us for a year+ and another 1600 miles or so hehe, againo dealer visits. We did put a new chain and front sprocket on it at some point. It was (like all back then) no oring std chain.
One thing we did, however, use good injector oil, change tranny/auto clutch oil with Suzuki recommended oil, and fresh gasoline..also DAILY usually, pinned riding! The shocks had lost ALL dampening before we sold it I remember, and fork seals were weeping some by the time his Grandfather bought the thing! hehe

The TS 50 had 12,000+ miles on it when brother sold it to our cousin. it had been on Lake trips at 55+ mph for 60+ miles with 125's and 175/185's us older guys rode. (Mason is 2 yrs younger than I am). We drove to FT Walton bch, FL my senior year for Spring break, on 125's and up to 250's together. Mason had a 125 Yamaha? I think, me TS185 and a GT380 triple,
Other friends on 90cc's to a 500 Kawasaki triple! We could pull wheelies at 50 MPH!! standing on the passenger pegs I remember. Wayne (no last name for his protection!) hehe He drove that bike everywhere! He reringed it at 11,000 miles I remember, as it started overheating and losing power he said.. It STill smoked everything else any of us rode though! (literally and physically! hehe
GREAT times and memories..thanks for reminding me!

Hope we ALL can make some more, similar memories and great times on our new RX-3's!!

[SpudRider]

Joe posted a nice valve adjustment tutorial at the CSC blog.

http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=14703

The first part of the tutorial contains a nice overview of valve train operation.



I have added a link to this tutorial under the Maintenance subheading of the RX3 sticky thread, which is permanently located at the top of this Dual Sport Forum.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=14228

[SpudRider]

The CSC tutorial states the specified valve lash is .04 mm to .06 mm for all four valves. Although it's a little tight, this valve lash sounds like a reasonable specification for the intake valves. However, I would expect the valve lash for the exhaust valves to be larger. The RX3 might be an exception, but I have personally never heard of a motorcycle engine where the exhaust valve lash is not larger than the intake valve lash, since the exhaust valves get hotter, and expand more than the intake valves.

For example, the Yamaha engine in my Zongshen ZS200GY-2 has the following valve lash specifications.

Intake Valve: .05 mm to .09 mm
Exhaust Valve: .11 mm to .15 mm

My water cooled, Honda CRF250X has the following valve lash specifications.

Intake Valves: .10 mm to .16 mm
Exhaust Valves: .25mm to .31 mm

My Honda XR650L has the following valve lash specifications.

Intake Valves: .07 mm to .13 mm
Exhaust Valves: .10 mm to .16 mm

[SpudRider]

Motorcycle.com has announced the EPA approval of the Zongshen RX3 at their website.

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2015/01/0...ampaign=weekly

[Mudflap]

I assume Zongshen has done the testing and concluded these clearances are optimum. The little horizontal Hondas, Lifans, and vertical CG type Lifan and Zongshen 200 lash specs are .05 mm intake and exhaust. In many if not most small motorcycle engines the lash increases as the engine temps go up. The whole engine expands somewhat as it gets hot, not just the valve train.

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The CSC tutorial states the specified valve lash is .04 mm to .06 mm for all four valves. Although it's a little tight, this valve lash sounds like a reasonable specification for the intake valves. However, I would expect the valve lash for the exhaust valves to be larger. The RX3 might be an exception, but I have personally never heard of a motorcycle engine where the exhaust valve lash is not larger than the intake valve lash, since the exhaust valves get hotter, and expand more than the intake valves.

For example, the Yamaha engine in my Zongshen ZS200GY-2 has the following valve lash specifications.

Intake Valve: .05 mm to .09 mm
Exhaust Valve: .11 mm to .15 mm

My water cooled, Honda CRF250X has the following valve lash specifications.

Intake Valves: .10 mm to .16 mm
Exhaust Valves: .25mm to .31 mm

My Honda XR650L has the following valve lash specifications.

Intake Valves: .07 mm to .13 mm
Exhaust Valves: .10 mm to .16 mm

[katflap]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Here's a link to the Russian parts manual for the NC250 engine.
http://svitmoto.com/GEON%20engine%20250%20(4V).pdf

this engine parts catalogue for the Megelli Supermoto 250 looks like it could be the same engine.

Engine parts catalogue in English.

http://www.puzey.co.za/Resources/Meg...e%203.28mb.pdf

and here

http://crossfiremotorcycles.com/wp/w...gine-Parts.pdf

** please delete this post if this has already been covered