New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[thillskier]

Isn't this something? I agree, Its a relatively inexpensive purchase related to my other motorcycles, and is the first (and only NEW motorcycle bought since my triple Kawasaki 400 in 1974! Every bike since then was used, and its probably 20-25, the last two my Yamaha YZ250 F in 2004, and my Suzuki SV 650 S in 2005 (2001 model).
This motorcycle will get many of us back to riding again. and some new riders riding period.
Its my incentive to get well, and my son and I ride together on some epic (hopefully) beautful and memorable adventure rides, to some really beautiful spots on our beautiful planet.

I think once prople actually get their bikes, and the quality and truth of what a raging deal and the inate value it is, what it can do with a good rider gets posted on rides in forums, it COULD REALLY reawaken motorcycle riding like in my youth (60's and 70's). I sure hope so, as those were GREAT times and I have so many memories from back then. REALLY good, and fun memories.

Lets just HOPE the bikes can get unloaded with SOME reasonable amount of time after crossing the ocean! I offered to get them through Customs etc in Mobile, and rail ship them back to LA but got no response from CSC on that. Hyundai brings in HUGE amounts of car parts, daily, and ebven Montgomery, AL is a international port now, as they ship up the ALa river from Mobile sometimes.

Wow, this is REALLY happening, and getting CLOSE, also!! Woo Hoo!!

[Wolftrax]

This really isn't looking very promising for a quick off load!

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...209-story.html

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102363274#.

http://www.presstelegram.com/busines...ust-got-longer

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Wolftrax

This really isn't looking very promising for a quick off load!

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...209-story.html

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102363274#.

http://www.presstelegram.com/busines...ust-got-longer

Thanks for posting the informative links. I agree with your assessment. Perishable produce is rotting as the work slowdown continues. At least our motorcycles won't spoil.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by thillskier

...and my son and I ride together on some epic (hopefully) beautful and memorable adventure rides, to some really beautiful spots on our beautiful planet.

That is a reward in itself, from personal experience.

[SpudRider]

Perhaps the shipment of motorcycles will be held up in Shanghai. It doesn't make much sense to ship the bikes across the Pacific, only to have them moored off shore in Long Beach. I wouldn't want to send my ship and crew across the Pacific, only to have them sit idle for an indefinite period.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Perhaps the shipment of motorcycles will be held up in Shanghai. It doesn't make much sense to ship the bikes across the Pacific, only to have them moored off shore in Long Beach. I wouldn't want to send my ship and crew across the Pacific, only to have them sit idle for an indefinite period.

Perhaps the good folks at CSC can make that request.

[G19Tony]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Perhaps the shipment of motorcycles will be held up in Shanghai. It doesn't make much sense to ship the bikes across the Pacific, only to have them moored off shore in Long Beach. I wouldn't want to send my ship and crew across the Pacific, only to have them sit idle for an indefinite period.

I'm not in a rush. I'd rather them sit on land also. Maybe the Air Force has a C-5 heading our way?

[culcune]

I wonder how long you guys will be waiting--I am planning to go to L.A. the weekend of March 27, 28 and 29 for Monsterpalooza, a horror festival. I am not a huge fan of the genre, but have a lot of old friends in the special effects industry who end up making it to this particular festival year after year. Why am I telling you this? Because I am tentatively thinking of taking Thursday the 26th and Monday the 30th off of work as well and ride my TMEC to L.A. If you guys knew you were getting your bikes sometime around then, I could show you all around the greater L.A. metropolitan area on Chinese motorcycles!! Hopefully Bruce Jenner is not driving around that day...

[thillskier]

There is another legal issue as to having then in port in Shanghai (or other port) vs enroute or idling offshore in USA waters. When on board the boat and out of either port, the legal responsibility for any damage that may occour belongs on the purchaser or shipper (depending on contract/agreement between CSC and Zong. I shipped lots of construction supplies and equipment to ST Croix, USVI and back to Miami after Hugo hit the USVI in 1989, then back to Miami, in 1992, after Andrew slammed Miami area.
I had to buy ocean frt insurance to be protected in case of another storm, or sinking etc. from the time the ship left Port Cannaveral In USA, to when it was in port in Puerto Rico, first, then ST Croix, about 4 months later! Crazy!
The VP of Crowley Marine was my second clearing customer in Miami, so I got all my stuff in ONE WEEK!! back to Miami, whereas, it was "in limbo" for 6.5 MONTHS going to ST Croix!!

I'd suspect delays AFTER the strike is settled re our bikes, also. Equipment has been sitting unused and unmaintained, causing break downs and slow down/stoppages for a few months after strike is done, I'd bet.
Wish I had better news folks, but this is just what I feel is most probable, based on how long the stoppage has been SO FAR in effect.

Does anyone know what if anything is yet unresolved re dockworkers and Managment? Or is it even to that stage of discussions? If "settled" do we have any idea they may return to work and start dealing with their backlog of containers. If not, I think its going to be Late April, to May before we get them in our hands, maybe even June! I sure hope its latest, mid to late SPring! Riding across the hot prarie and dusty deserts would be much less dusty and hot in April and May, than after! hehe

Oh well, it will happen when it happens, I guess. No use worrying over it Its still much too cold and too much Winter left to even think about it now! I'm still running the Buck wood burning insert daily, usually, and going through a LOT of wood as well. Good excercise tho, and what the Dr said I needed to keep trying to do as much as possible (stay active).

[thillskier]

I am also wanting/needing a adv touring/bike camera as well. Good info re these and differences etc on the newer cameras.
I'm not able to go $500 for a new camera, however.
Any of you expert photographers have any suggestions for the best deals/price point to try to "hit" for as good pics with minimal extras features increasing pricing?
Maybe a 100 or less camera suggestion, and 150, and $200.00, POSSIBLY $250.00, but rather stay at 125-165 or thereabouts, if doable.

We need to document our rides and repairs and or bike maintainance, Farkle additions, performance upgrades, etc. This makes good reading, helps fellow RX owners avoid mistakes, and advertises for CSC to make more sales!! which keeps parts and stuff available, AND keeps our resale and values higher, in case we ever want to sell (maybe go to a 35 or 450 if offered in the future, etc? Maybe after mine turns over 250,000 miles I might start over on a fresh one! hehe I sure HOPE and dream thats how much I get to riding...! What a blessing that would be for the "bonus round" I hope I am granted in this life! Especially, if my son can ride with me for a good bit of that mileage and adventures. Pics will allow him (and future generations, hopefully, to see what Grandpa and Great Grandpa did for fun "back in the day" on his trusty RX-3, seeing the USA!

ANyway, thanks in advance for your suggestions re eqpt. ALso if there is a good or better merchant or way to buy, please include that advice as well...
Heres hoping the bikes get unloaded upon arrival by April, at least!

[SpudRider]

I guess the Minben spent some time moored in Bu Zhuanghe. However, after a day of no movement, the ship is once again heading down the Yangtze River. The ship is currently near the city of Zigui, behind the 3 Gorges Dam.



The 3 Gorges Dam is the largest dam, and the largest concrete structure in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_G...ree_Gorges_Dam

[SpudRider]

The Minben is lining up to enter the 5 Steps of the 3 Gorges Locks, the biggest ship lock on Earth, so it can bypass the dam and continue sailing downstream.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The Minben is lining up to enter the 5 Steps of the 3 Gorges Locks, the biggest ship lock on Earth, so it can bypass the dam and continue sailing downstream.

That fascinates me, much like the locks at the Panama Canal.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

That fascinates me, much like the locks at the Panama Canal.

Indeed, I am fascinated by the 3 Gorges Dam and the enormous locks. The dam, locks, and hydroelectric power plant at Zigui are pretty impressive for a country which supposedly can't manufacture a decent motorcycle.

[SpudRider]

Perhaps the Minben was waiting upstream for its turn to enter the queue of ships passing through the locks.