New RX3

[Lee R]

I just put a deposit on an Orange RX3 through the buddy program. A friend and I are purchasing them and live in Upstate New York.

This will be a second bike for me for local rides and commuting to keep miles down on my MG Stelvio NTX. I'll probably take it on some longer adventures as well where more dirt is involved.

CSC having all parts stocked and tutorials of the bike as well as positive reviews on the websites are some of the factors that went into confidently purchasing one of these. The 5k mile western tour was a good proving ground for the bikes and it's nice to see they did well. Loose screws and other small issues are no concern, I've had them on every bike I've owned save a Vstrom 650 (it would survive the apocalypse with no maintenance)

I've previously owned a KLR650, DL650, Triumph Tiger 1050 and my current bike is a Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX. I'm no stranger to adventure bikes or dual sport riding.

The RX3 looks like something I can take and actually use for dirt exploring without fear of spending a fortune on broken parts. I looked at Honda parts availability and couldn't find complete frames or engines which CSC stocks, that's impressive to me.

I'm not sure how it will handle salt in NY as I'm sure it'll get exposure late fall and early spring (I do coat bikes in ACF-50). The Tiger 1050 ran year round in Maryland and saw salt exposure with almost no corrosion using ACF so hopefully that works well on the RX3. If not the bolts are probably pretty cheap to replace if they get too rusty.

I've been lurking here doing research and you guys seem to have a good pool of knowledge and are friendly. I'll get some pictures up in a few weeks when the bike arrives. I'll also do a comparison vs the other bikes I've owned for the curious, especially the MG just for reference. I'm not expecting the RX3 to be as nice as a 16k motorbike but I'll point out the differences anyway.

Lee

[SpudRider]

Thanks for joining us, Lee. We eagerly await your photos and future reports. :)

[detours]

Congrats and welcome! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the RX3 and learn more about your other bikes.

[Lee R]

I read up on the bolts to check on CSC's websites. Anything else I should check when the bike arrives?

I'll be coating it in ACF-50 right off the bat, including all wire connections and probably the inside of the switchgear if I can access it. That stuff has served me well through all-weather in the past.

http://learchem.com/products/acf-50.html

I witness mark many critical bolts on all my bikes (I'm in aviation) so they are easy to catch hopefully before they fall off.

I'll probably use Rotella T6 for oil, that stuff worked fine in my Tiger 1050 and it's pretty inexpensive. I even went so far as to have the oil analysis done to make sure it was ok and it came back great. It's JASO MA approved and doesn't have the detergents that cause clutch slippage like auto oils.

I have concerns for the headlight output as I'll be commuting in deer infested territory at night so I'll probably install some of these which I've used on my previous bikes:

http://www.2allbuyer.com/
http://acimg.auctivacommerce.com/imgdata/0/3/5/0/6/1/webimg/13657357.jpg
780 lumen pair, they don't blind drivers, produce good output and only use 12w a piece. I used these for over 30k miles in all weather and no failures with either the 780 or 3000 models. I install them with a positap and relay to work with the stock switchgear. They are 69 dollars a pair.

[katflap]

I'm not sure how it will handle salt in NY as I'm sure it'll get exposure late fall and early spring (I do coat bikes in ACF-50). The Tiger 1050 ran year round in Maryland and saw salt exposure with almost no corrosion using ACF so hopefully that works well on the RX3. If not the bolts are probably pretty cheap to replace if they get too rusty.

Lee

ACF-50 is a brilliant treatment, my dealer supplied my RX3 in the winter of this year already sprayed.

We have a lot of salt used on the roads here in the UK during the winter months and my bike so far has no signs of rust apart from the exhaust header pipe.

But as you guys get a stainless steel header pipe this won't be an issue :tup:

[dave92029]

My experience with m RX3 is that It appears that an 800 pound gorilla tightened the bolts, the problem isn't having them come loose but being able to remove them when you need to.

[Weldangrind]

Welcome, Lee!

[Jay In Milpitas]

Lee, being in the aero trade you may be interested in knowing that most, if not all, the fasteners that hold the body work on are not magnetic. Implies to me that they're some stainless alloy.

The handlebars are aluminum as are the footpegs, the passenger peg brackets, and the passenger hand holds. I plan to keep an eye on them for galvanic/intergranular corrosion.

I think your MG has a dry clutch like my airhead, so oil selection isn't so critical regarding clutch. I can't vouch for Rotella, they may have a blend that specifies it's okay for wet clutches.

The auxiliary lights you're showing seem great. With the deluxe wire harness that CSC specified for us, you won't even have to resort to the positaps.

Regards, Jay.

[SpudRider]

My experience with m RX3 is that It appears that an 800 pound gorilla tightened the bolts, the problem isn't having them come loose but being able to remove them when you need to.

I agree, with the notable exception of the exhaust header bolts. ;)

[Lee R]

If you guys are riding in any rain/salt treat the bike to some ACF-50 the stuff is amazing.

I'm glad the fasteners are one tight until I need to remove them. I've had a lot of fasteners come loose every bike loses one or two in the first few thousand miles it seems.

Jay, the MG uses a dry clutch. The oil for that thing is unicorn blood though as it's very hard to find 10w60 4t Synthetic. The Rotella I used in my previous Triumph and Vstrom it's the T6 5-40 synthetic, JASO MA rated. It costs 15-20 dollars a quart for the Guzzi and 3.5 quarts every 6k miles.

I'm quite familiar with screw adjustable valves as my Stelvio uses those, it takes about an hour to adjust both as the covers are fully exposed on the sideways vtwin. It's probably the easiest bike out there to adjust valves on. I'm looking forward to 70mpg for commuting though as the MG averages 32-40mpg.

[detours]

Some have had excellent results with Rotella T6, but I'm personally not a fan. It made the clutch in my wife's TU250x and my vstrom 650 sticky and grabby. I stick with mobil1 4t, amsoil, or castrol synthetic.

[SpudRider]

I have had superb success with 15W/40 motor oil. :) I currently use Mobil, Delvac 15W/40 in all my motorcycles.

[AZRider]

Welcome Lee, I'm sure that you'll love your RX-3. Although mileage is great, be prepared for lesser results as I'm guessing you will wring the RX-3's neck both accelerating and at top speed. But don't worry, the bike has a masochistic nature and loves being flogged.

Also, thanks for the link to the lights.

[2LZ]

Congrats on the order! I'm becoming more and more intrigued with this bike every day, especially for Mrs. 2LZ. We used to open-road bike camp a lot until we moved to the foothills and her current Victory Kingpin just isn't as fun, nor as tossable in the canyons as she'd like it to be. She's a very seasoned cyclist but simply put, it's a big bike. She was thinking of getting another Sportster just for local riding but I'd sure like to have her try one of these. Just that So Cal is a jaunt for a test ride.

[DanKearney]

Howdy Lee,

Welcome. The RX-3 is a perfect Catskills/Adirondacks bike. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the info you gave on those aux. lights. I did some googling and I just ordered a set for my RX-3.

Cheers,

Dan K.

[pepelepua]

Hello,
Regarding the auxiliary lights, do you know how many Watts can you add to the electrical system without damaging the generator or other parts?
Many thanks!

[SpudRider]

Congrats on the order! I'm becoming more and more intrigued with this bike every day, especially for Mrs. 2LZ. We used to open-road bike camp a lot until we moved to the foothills and her current Victory Kingpin just isn't as fun, nor as tossable in the canyons as she'd like it to be. She's a very seasoned cyclist but simply put, it's a big bike. She was thinking of getting another Sportster just for local riding but I'd sure like to have her try one of these. Just that So Cal is a jaunt for a test ride.

Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/20K%20Loop%20to%20Malad/resistanceisfutile.gif (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/20K%20Loop%20to%20Malad/resistanceisfutile.gif.html)

:hehe:

[SpudRider]

Hello,
Regarding the auxiliary lights, do you know how many Watts can you add to the electrical system without damaging the generator or other parts?
Many thanks!

I believe the stock alternator produces about 200 watts. In the United States our motorcycles have the optional, 300-watt alternator.

You won't damage the alternator if you install too many accessories. If the power drain is greater than the alternator can supply, the battery will merely lose its charge. Repeatedly discharging the battery too low will shorten the life of the battery, but it won't damage any other parts of the motorcycle.

Even the stock alternator supplies a lot of power, especially since the bike has an LED brake light and turn signals. :)

[pepelepua]

I believe the stock alternator produces about 200 watts. In the United States our motorcycles have the optional, 300-watt alternator.

You won't damage the alternator if you install too many accessories. If the power drain is greater than the alternator can supply, the battery will merely lose its charge. Repeatedly discharging the battery too low will shorten the life of the battery, but it won't damage any other parts of the motorcycle.

Even the stock alternator supplies a lot of power, especially since the bike has an LED brake light and turn signals. :)

:tup::tup::tup:

[Lee R]

Howdy Lee,

Welcome. The RX-3 is a perfect Catskills/Adirondacks bike. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the info you gave on those aux. lights. I did some googling and I just ordered a set for my RX-3.

Cheers,

Dan K.

They are excellent for the price, very solid and reliable. Many people on the Tiger 1050 forum use them as that bike had horrific stock headlights.

[Lee R]

Hello,
Regarding the auxiliary lights, do you know how many Watts can you add to the electrical system without damaging the generator or other parts?
Many thanks!

I think it's 300 watts total for the rx3. If you use to much you'll just drain the battery and maybe not have enough for the fuel injection once the battery is drained. I equip all my bikes with an inexpensive color coded voltage led that makes it very easy to see if your overloading the stator or your battery is drained.

http://www.signaldynamics.com/heads-up-voltage-monitor/

[Lee R]

Welcome Lee, I'm sure that you'll love your RX-3. Although mileage is great, be prepared for lesser results as I'm guessing you will wring the RX-3's neck both accelerating and at top speed. But don't worry, the bike has a masochistic nature and loves being flogged.

Also, thanks for the link to the lights.

Yeah I've set my expectation to "no power" after my last two liter bikes haha. I have no issue running a bike up to redline or at high rpm.

[SpudRider]

I think it's 300 watts total for the rx3. If you use to much you'll just drain the battery and maybe not have enough for the fuel injection once the battery is drained. I equip all my bikes with an inexpensive color coded voltage led that makes it very easy to see if your overloading the stator or your battery is drained.

http://www.signaldynamics.com/heads-up-voltage-monitor/

The stator output is 300 watts for the U.S. bikes, but the standard, stator output for most bikes elsewhere is around 200 watts. ;)

[pepelepua]

The South American version without EFI should be the small 200W generator for sure. But lets see the possitive side, you´ll have a few more Watts on the rear wheel :tup:

[bogieboy]

welcome lee!!!! whereabouts are you in upstate NY? I live in Clifton Springs near geneva and canandaigua....

[Lee R]

welcome lee!!!! whereabouts are you in upstate NY? I live in Clifton Springs near geneva and canandaigua....

I'm near Watertown. Two of us ordered RX3's up here

[Lee R]

Initial Impression:

Shipping: Roadrunner Transportation delivered the bike via a local carrier. Bikes were packed together in one 1070 lb package. Unfortunately the shipping company didn't bring a truck with a lift gate in the back. So the bikes got uncrated and rolled into the bed of a truck which then was backed up to a hill and they were maneuvered into the garage. Fortunately those bikes are light!!!! The crate was undamaged but mine had some small scrapes on it from either the straps or something in packing. One is on the engine cover and pretty noticeable. I'll give CSC a call and some pictures for those. Overall it's just a few small cosmetic scratches and nothing serious. My friends bike faired much better and we didn't notice anything on initial inspection on his.

Assembly: Both our bikes were preassembled at CSC save the windshield, rear view mirrors and rear top box. We also had the 12v/USB option installed. Mine came with the 19" front and different tires than stock as additional options. The windshield is tricky to install, i'll attempt that again in daylight. I installed the mirrors and rode the bike home from my friends with the top box and screws in my wifes CRV.

Quality: It's not up to 16k bike standards but this thing feels very much like your getting your money's worth. Lots of solid metal and no rattles whatsoever. Nice dash for a 250! The welds are just as good as my Moto Guzzi Stelvio.. It uses a lot of steel and fasteners similar to the Vstrom I used to have. Overall it's better looking than the KLR I had 15 years ago when it was brand new, and for 2500 dollars less! Great set of crash bars that surround the bike. It looks like it will fall over better than most. I'm quite happy with the quality so far.

Ergonomics: This bike is about 80% the size of my MG Stelvio and about 220 lbs less in weight. It has a 1 inch lower seat height as well. I'm 5'11" and flat foot this bike. I weight 275 lbs and basically must have some neanderthal DNA because I'm build like one. Bars are great and legroom felt good on the short ride. The seat however is pretty bad for me. I'll add the airhawk and see how that works. I may replace it with the "tall" seat option however. The grips feel really short compared to other bikes I've had with bar end weights. Good "adventure" bike ergonomics over all. You sit "in" this bike rather than on top like you would a dirt bike.

Engine: First impression, I ran it up to redline on the way home very briefly keeping the RPM's going up and letting it compression brake. I didn't ride aggressively as that will come later. My last two bikes were a Tiger 1050 at @ 125hp at the crank and a MG Stelvio at 105hp and @ 80ft lbs of torque. The Stelvio is all torque everywhere. The triple was power everywhere even more-so. So this is what I think having been riding those for the past 60,000 miles. It's not bad! Loud exhaust in a pretty good way. The sound makes it feel faster than it is. That saying "more fun to ride a slow bike fast" is very true. This bike will make you smile. No, it's not even close to as fast as a 1200cc or 1050cc engine. It'll get far better fuel economy than either. I took it up to 70mph actual (gps) and it got there with ease. I'm sure it'll get over 80 on a flat. Your going to lose passing power vs a big bike and it won't be as good in a headwind on the highway but it'll do just fine everywhere else. Engine sounds great and the shifting was very light. A bit notchy but that'll likely improve. It's a better transmission than my Tiger 1050 but not as good as the MG right now. I had no issues finding neutral and no false gears.

Suspension: Soft but I'm very heavy. It rides very nice actually but bottoms out easy (I'm way over normal weight though). I'll adjust preload to maximum and try again. It soaks up bumps and road cracks very nicely and it's a comfortable bike to ride. Better by far than my Sportster 883! It absorbs all but the harshest impacts without issues.

Handling: Very good. Light and quick.

That exhaust is loud haha!

I'm planning a full video review and have some pretty decent camera equipment and sound recording so I'll capture it as best I can for everyone to enjoy. I should have a few miles on it by then and I'll update this initial review.

Lee


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad85/kalimarus/DSCF3249_zpsm9rbxzd2.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/kalimarus/media/DSCF3249_zpsm9rbxzd2.jpg.html)

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting your detailed, initial impressions. :)

[Weldangrind]

Excellent details! I hope to hear about many adventures in the future.

[rtking]

Congrats LeeR! Bike looks great and, might I be so bold, it's in the faster orange color! :-) Thanks for giving us your impression and ride review. It was great to read!

FWIW, I'm on the bigger side myself at 250 lbs and I settled at 7 turns (tighter) on the spring. I had 8 turns, but backed-off one turn as I thought the suspension was a bit too stiff at that point. I also set dampening at 13 clicks (of 16 total). That seemed to feel best to me.

Congrats again on the RX3 and looking forward to further impressions!