New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by oldqwerty

I was hoping for some ride reports at the end of the weekend.

Here's my ride report to accompany my photographs included in post #3293 of this thread.

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....postcount=3293

I have now recorded 890 miles on the bike's odometer. I love this motorcycle, and I am very happy I bought it.

The U.S. Delphi EFI is wonderful. I don't know how I lived without EFI before this bike arrived. The bike starts instantly with a tap of the starter button, and the fuel injection is always butter smooth over the entire RPM range of the engine.

I love the 6-speed transmission. It always shifts smoothly and positively. I never have any trouble finding neutral.

The brakes are very good. The bike stops smoothly and quickly.

The windshield is superb. It isolates you from the windstream, and makes riding much more comfortable in the cold, and in the rain. My heated jacket does a better job keeping me warm in colder weather. My rain jacket doesn't get wet behind the windshield, and that keeps water from dripping down into my crotch when I am not wearing rain pants.

The engine is wonderful. It makes good power. The bike is extremely fun to ride on the street, including the interstate highways. The bike has enough power to keep up with interstate traffic, even with the knobby tires. The bike is stable at high speeds, and the windshield insulates you well from the turbulence created by the tractor/trailer rigs.

I like the stock muffler. It is very quiet, but it also has a nice throaty sound. I also like the saddle and the cockpit riding position. I have ridden several all day trips, and I am never cramped. Also, my butt never hurts. However, I do have an iron butt, so YMMV (your mileage might vary).

After switching to an H4 bulb, I like the stock headlight assembly. It is easily adjustable, and it casts an excellent pattern for both high, and low beams.

After removing the stock fish oil from the forks, and replacing it with Mobil1 Synthetic ATF, the fork action improved significantly. However, I could wish for more than the 5.1 inches of fork travel.

I have one main complaint about this motorcycle. It needs a better shock absorber. The shock action improved after I experimented with the rebound damping, and settled on the #10 position. However, the ride can occasionally be harsh, even over choppy pavement. If someone wishes only to ride on pavement, the stock shock absorber might be adequate. If you stand, you can ride fire roads. However, I am required to stand much more often than I think should be necessary, even on pavement, let alone gravel or dirt roads. I would gladly purchase a quality, aftermarket shock absorber for this motorcycle. The bike is worth that investment to overcome its one major shortcoming. A better shock absorber would greatly improve the off road capabilities of this motorcycle.

I need to examine the shock absorber and experiment with its preload settings. I also need to determine if the shock absorber has a schrader valve for air pressure, and the amount of air pressure. Perhaps a different spring would also improve the action of the shock absorber.

[SpudRider]

Yesterday I replaced the stock, 35W/35 HS1 bulb in the headlight with a 55W/60 H4 bulb in the stock headlight. The H4 bulb casts a nice pattern, and illuminates the road ahead much better than the stock bulb. If you ride at night, I strongly suggest you switch to the brighter H4 bulb.

[jimjr21]

Complete engine weights 69-70 lbs. Oil is drained but I know some is trapped in there.

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Yesterday I replaced the stock, 35W/35 HS1 bulb in the headlight with a 55W/60 H4 bulb in the stock headlight. The H4 bulb casts a nice pattern, and illuminates the road ahead much better than the stock bulb. If you ride at night, I strongly suggest you switch to the brighter H4 bulb.

Yes, it is a good upgrade. I liked how easy it was to drop the whole headlight to work on it.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I need to examine the shock absorber and experiment with its preload settings. I also need to determine if the shock absorber has a schrader valve for air pressure, and the amount of air pressure. Perhaps a different spring would also improve the action of the shock absorber.

I've read online that the Schrader valve on a shock is meant for nitrogen, and it is pressurized for the same reason that a cooling system is pressurized; to raise the boiling point of the fluid. A typical shock nitrogen pressure is around 150psi, and a bike shop is likely the only place you can achieve that kind of pressure. Most tire shops have nitrogen, but their compressors are not usually capable of more that 50psi or so.

What I'm saying is that if there is no nitrogen in the shock now, that might be contributing to the issue.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the tip, Weld. My digital pressure gauge will go as high as 150 psi, so I should be able to measure the nitrogen pressure.

[Weldangrind]

Not for long. The chamber has such low volume that you'll expel most of it by just checking the pressure.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Not for long. The chamber has such low volume that you'll expel most of it by just checking the pressure.

Yes, if the shock contains nitrogen, I realize by merely checking the gas pressure, I will also need to arrange for one of the local shops to recharge the nitrogen. However, the QLink XP200 had a shock which set the preload with a low pressure of air. I need to call CSC, and verify the design of the shock absorber for the Zongshen RX3.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by G19Tony

Yes, it is a good upgrade. I liked how easy it was to drop the whole headlight to work on it.

A fellow RX3 owner on another forum is concerned the 55W/60 H4 bulb is too hot for the totally enclosed, plastic reflector. He fears the heat from the higher power bulb will damage the reflector. So far, I have not experienced any problems, so I am willing to continue this experiment, at least until my upgraded LED headlight arrives. Have you noticed any problems with excess heat from the H4 bulb?

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

A fellow RX3 owner on another forum is concerned the 55W/60 H4 bulb is too hot for the totally enclosed, plastic reflector. He fears the heat from the higher power bulb will damage the reflector. So far, I have not experienced any problems, so I am willing to continue this experiment, at least until my upgraded LED headlight arrives. Have you noticed any problems with excess heat from the H4 bulb?

I have not noticed any overheating. I think it's nothing to worry about. I will be interested in hearing your review of the LED headlight.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by G19Tony

I have not noticed any overheating. I think it's nothing to worry about. I will be interested in hearing your review of the LED headlight.

I agree; I haven't seen any problems so far.

My Taobao order was ready for shipment five days ago. However, I have not yet received a tracking number. Nevertheless, I expect soon to receive the upgraded LED headlight. I will certainly post my review after I have tested the new headlight.

[SpudRider]

I just got my tracking number; my LED headlight and other items shipped yesterday. There was a slight delay in China because of the May Day, communist holiday.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Not for long. The chamber has such low volume that you'll expel most of it by just checking the pressure.

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Yes, if the shock contains nitrogen, I realize by merely checking the gas pressure, I will also need to arrange for one of the local shops to recharge the nitrogen. However, the QLink XP200 had a shock which set the preload with a low pressure of air. I need to call CSC, and verify the design of the shock absorber for the Zongshen RX3.

I called CSC this morning, and got some information regarding the shock absorber. Indeed, the shock does contain nitrogen, and the pressure of the gas might be as high as 320-375 psi. I'm sure if the nitrogen pressure were low, my shock would not be functioning as well as it is.

I am on the hunt for an aftermarket shock absorber. Is anyone else interested in upgrading the stock shock absorber?

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I just got my tracking number; my LED headlight and other items shipped yesterday. There was a slight delay in China because of the May Day, communist holiday.

Very good. Please keep us informed.

If I may, what tires did you end up putting on your RX-3?

[Veteran]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I called CSC this morning, and got some information regarding the shock absorber. Indeed, the shock does contain nitrogen, and the pressure of the gas might be as high as 320-375 psi. I'm sure if the nitrogen pressure were low, my shock would not be functioning as well as it is.

I am on the hunt for an aftermarket shock absorber. Is anyone else interested in upgrading the stock shock absorber?

Spud, I'm sure I'll be looking to upgrade the shock when I get back. Suspension is a pet peeve of mine. Is the schrader valve a high pressure model like on an acft or a regular car type? Can you post a picture? If it's harnessing 300+ psi, I'm thinking it's an acft type.