Well it is 19F out

[keithmaine]

In about two hours I will be meeting up with a friend and riding a loop around the Rangeley Lakes area of Maine. Hopefully it will get up to the 45F they are claiming. This will be the first real ride with the Rx3. I have around 40 miles on her now. I have installed a wire for my heated gloves and mounted my Hippo- Hands from Putus (my Ural) on her now named (Mei Zen). I will report back after Mei Zen's maiden voyage.

Which ever translation works

Mei -From Chinese 美 "beautiful" or 梅 "plum".
Mei means 'plum-blossom' in some Chinese languages.
Chinese-English dictionary: 美 ( mei / mĕi ) (English translation: "beauty")
Mei - Red gem

[willy dog]

have fun make sure to warm bike up before starting out most damage done on start up of cold engine it's 20 now starting out around 10 be safe

[Adjuster]

Just out of curiosity let us know how your bike does with the cold start and cold oil and cold battery.


/

[jct842]

My bike might start when that cold but I sure won't! :)

[SpudRider]

It it isn't too cold, please take some photos. :)

[Rickorider]

That's cold!!!

Nothing like that in UK!

[keithmaine]

Okay I'm back from my ride pictures will be posted later.
First she is kept in a garage it was about 40f this am in the garage as I did not heat it last night. So she started fine, warmed her for five minutes or so. The roads were covered with a frost white crystals, followed by black ice and watershed ice. Some roads were sanded others were not, the stock tires performed better than expected, but were not all that confidence inspiring. I made my way slowly towards Bethal ME. avoiding the icy areas as best as possible to meet up with my co-conspirator for this ride. Arriving in Bethal 56 minutes later to find it was now up to 21f. Topped off the tank, got a cup coffee while waiting for Jesse to arrive. Ten minutes later we were on our way. We made our way up to Roxbury the roads just kept getting worse with more ice and we proceeded along slower still. Around one corner we came upon a truck that had just slid off the side of the road. He was okay and already calling for help. So we just meandered along our way. When we came to the Rt.17 junction Jesse flipped open his helmet to say "it's official we are insane". But what the hell we have made it this far, lets just keep going. Up Rt.17 we stop at Coos Canyon to take a stretch, each segment should have been 30 minutes was taking us about an hour. From there we head up to the Height of the Land, but it could not be that easy, it is here we started to hit snow even slower now making our way at about 20 mph. At the top we pulled into the vista, the sun started to show. It is here that I proposed to my wife, I have always loved this spot. We made our way down into Oquossoc and around to Cupsuptic from there we headed to Erroll, Nh for lunch. We had a great lunch at the Northern Exposure a little cafe across from LL Cote's outdoor store. Sitting behind us was a hotshit of old lady who was on her second "sex on the beach" when we left she had to have been in her mid eighties. We left the cafe and headed down Rt 26 Grafton Notch the roads were drier and much easier to ride on, also much faster riding. We made it back to Bethal my gauge read empty it took 2.3 gallons to top it off. We parted ways and headed home. Oh I did forget to mention Mei Zen performed flawlessly, she is absolutely nothing short of amazing.

[DanKearney]

I rode the Zong up to the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel this afternoon. This train tunnel crosses under the Continental Divide. A few puckery moments on some icy sections, but a nice sunny, if cold, day. About 40 miles miles total today. 50% tarmac, 50% dirt. Just below freezing today. Gerbings heated jacket and gloves, as always, get a big thumbs up

First ride on the RX-3 in about 2 weeks. I keep it on a trickle charger. Fired right up and ran fine.

East Portal (Not my photo)
http://invertedsky.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tr-4560.jpg

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/KearneyDan/RX-3%20Cyclone/Screenshot%20from%202015-12-06%20155949.png

Wiki Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moffat_Tunnel

Cheers,

Dan K.

[rojo_grande]

Was out today on the Orange Blossom RX3 trying to get up to Devil's Head,https://www.google.com/maps/place/Devils+Head,+Colorado+80135/@39.2626589,-105.1071081,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x876b5eeb200fa7c9:0xb3ee41ab7f9be b83!5m1!1e4 South of Denver. Tried to get up the back way from Perry Park Road (more dirt that way) but the forest service road that cuts over to Rampart Range road was closed due to snow.

[Jay In Milpitas]

So from desert heat in Summer to subfreezing in Winter (okay, late Fall to be specific) these little recycled-tuna-can-sweat-shop-made-in-China-piece-of-crap machines just keep on proving themselves.

And bringing smiles.
And leaving the other bikes sitting in the garage.

I keep in mind how much I enjoy riding it each time I check valve clearance. Which, by the way, has not needed adjustment since I did my initial setting when new.

Thank you guys for sharing your cold weather sojourns.

[SpudRider]

Zongshen builds excellent engines. :) The more I study this NC250 (ZS177MM) engine, the more impressed I become with both its design, and its quality of manufacture. :tup:

[keithmaine]

Coos Canyon

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_105623_zpscp6owwhi.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_105623_zpscp6owwhi.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_105631_zpst0mimrox.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_105631_zpst0mimrox.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_110029_zpsgat0veo4.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_110029_zpsgat0veo4.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_110046_zpsrbvqtdkj.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_110046_zpsrbvqtdkj.jpg.html)

[keithmaine]

Then we moved up the hill a bit to run into some snow, but by the time we reached the top the sun started to make it's way out. It never did make it to 45F it was more like 38F. And at the top of the hill 29F.


http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_113854_zpsmawb7lxi.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_113854_zpsmawb7lxi.jpg.html)


http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_113950_zpsuhmiqfyp.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_113950_zpsuhmiqfyp.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_114334_zpsj0ymzajc.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_114334_zpsj0ymzajc.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_114358_zpslftbz18p.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_114358_zpslftbz18p.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_114428_zpsyaql7oma.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_114428_zpsyaql7oma.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_113911_zpsye3fchkl.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_113911_zpsye3fchkl.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_113933_zpsovkasqxh.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_113933_zpsovkasqxh.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151206_114416_zpsfyal2dsi.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151206_114416_zpsfyal2dsi.jpg.html)

Height of the Land is a beautiful spot and anyone visiting Maine it is a must see.

[SpudRider]

Wow! Thanks for posting the great photos from Height of the Land. :tup: Mooselookmeguntic Lake is beautiful. :)

[willy dog]

great photos only snow around here is man made my problem dirt roads are freezing then thawing out in sun layer of slick mud on top of frozen dirt just have to slow down life is to short to waste time hurrying be safe

[keithmaine]

great photos only snow around here is man made my problem dirt roads are freezing then thawing out in sun layer of slick mud on top of frozen dirt just have to slow down life is to short to waste time hurrying be safe

Same around here we would have done the route on dirt roads, but they were some greasy.

[Weldangrind]

Amazing pics, Keith; you're made of tougher stuff than I am.

I noticed the bilingual sign, and I hadn't given that any thought before. New Brunswick has a high level of bilingualism, so it only makes sense that Maine would as well.

[keithmaine]

Amazing pics, Keith; you're made of tougher stuff than I am.

I noticed the bilingual sign, and I hadn't given that any thought before. New Brunswick has a high level of bilingualism, so it only makes sense that Maine would as well.

That was only 20 miles or so from the border

[keithmaine]

Another ride this past weekend this time with Tourfella luggage mounted. I did not feel any real handling difference with the luggage mostly empty. The wind and 70 mph speeds felt just fine with these boxes on. End the ride with some real single track, water, mud, and logging slag. No photos at that point I was trying to stay upright and not stranded I was alone at this point. Made it thru bike & I in one piece, covered in mud however. Never again with stock tires on. This bike is way too much fun.

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151212_091434_zpsasydn4ue.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151212_091434_zpsasydn4ue.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151212_105406_zpshyjodcx2.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151212_105406_zpshyjodcx2.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151212_105410_zpsjwjoxgvq.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151212_105410_zpsjwjoxgvq.jpg.html)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151212_105424_zpsxtwhshpm.jpg (http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/hogmaine/media/CSC%20RX3/20151212_105424_zpsxtwhshpm.jpg.html)
You can see the Tusk panniers on the KLR here and the Tourfellas on MeiZen

[willy dog]

i know what you mean it's like spring around here with the mud stock tires not the best but i am cheap wont upgrade till they need to be replaced be safe

[keithmaine]

i know what you mean it's like spring around here with the mud stock tires not the best but i am cheap wont upgrade till they need to be replaced be safe
I have a set of Shinko SR244 Golden Boys to go on, but did not have time to mount them before the ride.

[Cyborg]

Thanks for the report,,,glad you had a good time/fun,,,great ride :yay:

[SpudRider]

Judging from the signs, you must have been somewhere near Oxford. ;)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151212_091434_zpsasydn4ue.jpg

I encourage you to switch the tires as soon as possible. You can always wear out the stock tires next summer. If you drop the bike you might need to spend money for replacement parts. ;)

[keithmaine]

Judging from the signs, you must have been somewhere near Oxford. ;)

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z358/hogmaine/CSC%20RX3/20151212_091434_zpsasydn4ue.jpg

I encourage you to switch the tires as soon as possible. You can always wear out the stock tires next summer. If you drop the bike you might need to spend money for replacement parts. ;)

Tires are going on this week, :tup:

Lynchville, ME between Stoneham & Waterford ME. corner of Rt.5 RT35. Oxford as mentioned on Google maps is about 25 miles away. It is Oxford county that must be what they are referring to.

http://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/the-world-traveler-signpost-of-lynchville/