is it really big enough for the US?

Ghaniba · 06-06-2016, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger12XC

I bet this guy wished he had the small light cheap RX3 after his long day on the 1200GS. $20k+ dropped five or more times has got to make you sick.

This is what made me find the RX3 and the TT250. I'm tired of picking up my big bitch. The first video there that guy didn't have the proper tires for that, and I'm guessing he also wasn't quite tall enough to ride the big girl.

The GS really do well, if you know how to ride (I do not claim to be able to ride!) but it's all about the angles. I have caught mine with a leg out many times, but if it's gotten to a certain degree of tip over, I can't adjust my foot to be able to pick it up, so I end up just setting it down before I blow out my spleen. The last time I dropped my BMW it cost me $500 in parts. Granted, totally my fault, but that is what made me look for a lighter, smaller bike for my woods exploration. I found revzilla talking about the tt250, and then it brought me to find the RX3 -- So I bought both. the RX3 is mainly for my wife, to ride with me when I'm on my GS for the lighter trails. I am surprised by just how nice that RX3 is! It's soooo light!

As for being usable in the USA -- I live in new england, lots of hills, everywhere. I did not change the gearing on that RX3 and am surprised by how much fun it really is. It is NOT a highway cruiser, however I have no issue doing 3-4 exits down an interstate to get back onto proper nice backroads.

Dave aka Ghan

pyoungbl · 06-06-2016, 09:32 AM

Like 'most everything else....it depends. I would not choose the Zong for a coast to coast ride, others are doing exactly that. So far I have had a couple longer weekend rides, 300-400 round trip. Highway speed is no problem for the RX3. That equates to about 6,000 rpm at 55-60 mph. I need to downshift to 5th for steep hills but the bike never seems to complain. Being light the bike does react more to cross winds. On the other hand, country roads with lots of twisting/turning terrain...or gravel...this is where my bike shines. Last weekend I spent two days riding in West Virginia. Of the 200-230 miles there were 30 of gravel forest service roads and most of the rest was on really tight one lane country roads. I was going 30-50 mph much of the time and having a wonderful time. On gravel/dirt I found myself staying in 3rd gear most of the time with enough torque to modulate through the turns and up most inclines...standing on the pegs all the time. A larger bike would have been much less fun. I did trailer the bike out to WV because 6-7 hours of Interstate each way would have made the trip not worth the effort.

Tiger12XC · 06-06-2016, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyoungbl

Like 'most everything else....it depends. I would not choose the Zong for a coast to coast ride, others are doing exactly that. So far I have had a couple longer weekend rides, 300-400 round trip. Highway speed is no problem for the RX3. That equates to about 6,000 rpm at 55-60 mph. I need to downshift to 5th for steep hills but the bike never seems to complain. Being light the bike does react more to cross winds. On the other hand, country roads with lots of twisting/turning terrain...or gravel...this is where my bike shines. Last weekend I spent two days riding in West Virginia. Of the 200-230 miles there were 30 of gravel forest service roads and most of the rest was on really tight one lane country roads. I was going 30-50 mph much of the time and having a wonderful time. On gravel/dirt I found myself staying in 3rd gear most of the time with enough torque to modulate through the turns and up most inclines...standing on the pegs all the time. A larger bike would have been much less fun. I did trailer the bike out to WV because 6-7 hours of Interstate each way would have made the trip not worth the effort.

I agree the big bikes are great for those 1000 mile weekend trips across three states but the RX3 is simply more enjoyable everywhere else. We just got back from a 600 mile 4 day trip on the blue bonnet trail Texas Hill Country and never had to get on the interstate. But we did on the return trip as rain was threatening us. That said in Texas the speed limit on some two lane back roads is 70-75 so getting on the interstate is safer in some cases.

BlackBike · 06-06-2016, 12:18 PM

Tiger12XC · 06-06-2016, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBike

It is so nice out your way I'm in Houston and all we have to look forward to is more rain and flooding.

Sport Rider · 06-06-2016, 01:57 PM

Now, I have the hawk rather than the RX3, I don't know that there's a need to go to a 650, but something around 400 in between would allow for a good compromise between light weight and a bit more power for those times when it's needed. none of these things are really built for the interstate droning that we do here in the states. the RX3 would probably be good for the back roads combinations a bit better than the hawk. I'd like to have something that I could run 70 with and be able to maintain the speed going up hill. that's the part that bothers me the most.

BlackBike · 06-06-2016, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger12XC

It is so nice out your way I'm in Houston and all we have to look forward to is more rain and flooding.

i have been thinking about you folks back east (east texas that is, ha). i saw where Brenham tx and washington co. tx got 22" of rainfall last week. and of course in the summer , it rains every afternoon somewhere in houston. I have relatives that are put out of there home from simonton tx. yes we have been getting slow beneficial rainfall for a change.

that was a stock internet photo just felt like posting.

Jay In Milpitas · 06-06-2016, 07:38 PM

Well, if you *need* to ride long distance at a high velocity yet still want the Cyclone when you arrive at the destination, perhaps something like this built on a Gold Wing?

06-06-2016, 09:32 AM	#2
pyoungbl Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Posts: 632	Big enough? Like 'most everything else....it depends. I would not choose the Zong for a coast to coast ride, others are doing exactly that. So far I have had a couple longer weekend rides, 300-400 round trip. Highway speed is no problem for the RX3. That equates to about 6,000 rpm at 55-60 mph. I need to downshift to 5th for steep hills but the bike never seems to complain. Being light the bike does react more to cross winds. On the other hand, country roads with lots of twisting/turning terrain...or gravel...this is where my bike shines. Last weekend I spent two days riding in West Virginia. Of the 200-230 miles there were 30 of gravel forest service roads and most of the rest was on really tight one lane country roads. I was going 30-50 mph much of the time and having a wonderful time. On gravel/dirt I found myself staying in 3rd gear most of the time with enough torque to modulate through the turns and up most inclines...standing on the pegs all the time. A larger bike would have been much less fun. I did trailer the bike out to WV because 6-7 hours of Interstate each way would have made the trip not worth the effort.
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06-06-2016, 12:18 PM	#4
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	__________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
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06-06-2016, 01:57 PM	#6
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,038	Now, I have the hawk rather than the RX3, I don't know that there's a need to go to a 650, but something around 400 in between would allow for a good compromise between light weight and a bit more power for those times when it's needed. none of these things are really built for the interstate droning that we do here in the states. the RX3 would probably be good for the back roads combinations a bit better than the hawk. I'd like to have something that I could run 70 with and be able to maintain the speed going up hill. that's the part that bothers me the most.
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06-06-2016, 07:38 PM	#8
Jay In Milpitas Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Milpitas, CA. USA Posts: 775	Well, if you need to ride long distance at a high velocity yet still want the Cyclone when you arrive at the destination, perhaps something like this built on a Gold Wing?
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