Zongshen 200GY-2: 30,000 Mile Ride Report

[SpudRider]

Early in July my Zong reached 30,000 miles on the odometer during a ride to the Malad and Arbon Valleys of Idaho. Approaching the Malad Valley from the north, I stopped to get a photograph of a fisherman enjoying the day on the Hawkins Reservoir.



Entering the Malad Valley from the north, I was rewarded with views of a favorite mountain, and the Daniels Reservoir.





Continuing farther south, I stopped to appreciate another perspective of the mountain, and the beautiful, green fields leading up to it.





Spud

[Weldangrind]

Those photos are stunning, Spud. What was the temperature like?

[FastDoc]

Rock on Spud!

Your Chinabike has outlasted my 1996 Honda XR250L that I 'wore out' at about 25-30,000 miles (I forget exactley).

Heck my 4 year old Gold Wing 'only' has 25,000 miles on it!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Those photos are stunning, Spud. What was the temperature like?

Thank you, Derryk. The high temperature was about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect for riding a motorcycle. I will post more photos later, when time permits.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Rock on Spud!

Your Chinabike has outlasted my 1996 Honda XR250L that I 'wore out' at about 25-30,000 miles (I forget exactley).

Heck my 4 year old Gold Wing 'only' has 25,000 miles on it!

Thank you, Doc. I have now ridden 31,750 miles on my Zong. The Zong's copy of the Yamaha, TW200 engine is very well built, and very rugged.

Spud

[Jim]

You should talk to Zong America about some kind of sponsorship... You do them a huge service in free marketing and awesome photos :P

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Jim

You should talk to Zong America about some kind of sponsorship... You do them a huge service in free marketing and awesome photos :P

Thank you, Jim. I might inquire about that!

Spud

[SpudRider]

I rode south a bit, then headed eastward, into a favorite canyon, and up a fire road. In the spring, the fire roads can be very muddy. However, in July, the dry earth turns to a very fine dust, similar to talcum powder. :x This powder is very slippery, and it often conceals hard ruts beneath it. In addition, this fire road had been recently graded, leaving a deep layer of “talcum powder,” and loose rocks! :evil: I absolutely hate this powdered soil, but I slogged though it.



Fortunately, the grader had stopped ripping up the road at the lower elevations! I continued on to the summit, and was rewarded with a beautiful view of the Arbon Valley.



I descended to the west, and climbed another trail to a favorite summit, which provides beautiful views of the Arbon Valley to the north.







Descending from this summit, I headed south to another trailhead. Climbing to the west, I reached the summit.



I then paused to look back at the trail I had ascended.



I was heading for yet another summit before I descended a final time, for the trip home.

Spud

[Weldangrind]

It hurts me every day that I don't have a dual sport. I'd be off exploring the BC coastal mountains at each opportunity.

Son of Weldangrind will be 16 in March, and he's got his eye on the '78 TS100 I rode at his age. Maybe I ought to get one.

[AZ200cc]

I just wish I could go up and ride with Spud, Damn he has some open spaces.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

It hurts me every day that I don't have a dual sport. I'd be off exploring the BC coastal mountains at each opportunity.

Son of Weldangrind will be 16 in March, and he's got his eye on the '78 TS100 I rode at his age. Maybe I ought to get one.

If possible, reward yourself with a dual sport bike, Derryk. I love my Zong.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by AZ200cc

I just wish I could go up and ride with Spud, Damn he has some open spaces.

Thank you, AZ. I realize I am very blessed to live in such beautiful, wide-open country.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Descending from the summit, I headed westward, then I took a connecting trail to the south. Reaching a saddle in the mountains, I paused to enjoy the scenery.



I descended to the south, and passed through a wooded section on the way to my next summit. I frequently encounter deer, and other wildlife, during my rides. However, the animals usually don’t hang around long enough for me to retrieve my camera, and take a photograph. The deer in the next photograph was a welcome exception to the general rule.



I reached the next summit, and rested for about thirty minutes, enjoying the beautiful views.





The wind was kicking up, and rain was falling nearby, so I removed my hydration backpack, and put on my extra clothing. I attach the backpack to my luggage rack.



I am never in a hurry to leave this summit; the view is magnificent. However, the evening was advancing, and I had a long trip home. Reluctantly, I remounted the Zong, and descended the mountain to the south. Heading westward, I followed the road shown in the photograph below, entering the Arbon Valley.



Spud

[mizke]

damn i would kill to live in an area like that, or a place vegas.. so many places to ride, around here if you find a place to ride, you have to watch for tree limbs that have 1 to 2 inch long throns on them.. they dont feel to good slapping your shoulder when you drive by nor do they like tires for some reason

very nice pictures, and you truely are lucky to live in that area. seeing those pictures really makes me want to find a dual sport bike. but i live in a city so i might as well pick up a 250cc sport bike to start off with.. bikes with motors will be the death of me one day, i already know and accept that fact. since sooner or later i will do something stupid, thats why i want a 250, to start off small and slow..

[SpudRider]

Thank you for the kind words, Mike.

After descending from the summit, I headed back home, through the beautiful Arbon Valley. Along the way I paused to take a rest, and a few photographs of the recently harvested hay.







Traveling farther northward, my Zong's odometer reached 30,000 miles.



The sun was getting low on the horizon, but I took a few photographs of my Zong where she sat, with 30,000 miles on the odometer.







Contented with a another beautiful ride in Idaho's mountains, I traveled the remaining miles home.

Spud