Happy Trails Joe Berk

NoVa Rider · 06-14-2018, 08:03 PM

I just saw over on the CSC blog that Joe Berk is retiring.

I am totally unqualified to kick off a thread on Joe, but someone needs to do it, so I'll just say that to me, Joe has been the Godfather of the RX3 in the United States.

He has sung the bike's praises, fought the good fight against anti-Chinese bike trolls, taken us all along vicariously on multiple adventure rides in the United States, Mexico, Columbia and China, written four fun and informative books on the RX3, and appeared in many videos on the RX3 and other CSC bikes from Zongshen. I have only scratched the surface, but I feel Joe has been with all of us on our respective RX3 journeys. And he has great taste in firearms.

I will sincerely miss Joe's blogs and his many other contributions to the RX3 community. He writes about starting a new moto website and I certainly hope that comes to pass.

Joe, I wish you the very best in your new adventures.

dpl096 · 06-14-2018, 09:20 PM

Berk was the right man for the job at CSC. He's cut from the same cloth as Gresh . . . a real rider who happens to write - damn well at that. This isn't so much an end as a lane change. You've checked your mirror and peeked over your shoulder Joe. Now roll the throttle and move!

culcune · 06-14-2018, 10:25 PM

I wonder if one of us can take over? I would LOVE such an opportunity, and have even recently moved to the L.A. area, but find myself way underqualified for such a position, meaning someone who is well versed in motorcycle mechanics AND not adverse to Chinese motorcycles...Megadan??

2LZ · 06-15-2018, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by culcune

I wonder if one of us can take over? I would LOVE such an opportunity, and have even recently moved to the L.A. area, but find myself way underqualified for such a position, meaning someone who is well versed in motorcycle mechanics AND not adverse to Chinese motorcycles...Megadan??

GO FOR IT! Joe wasn't really a mechanic type, more a front man, promoter and rider. With your overall knowledge of the CB world, it would be a fit, though probably not pay as well as your current employment.

Just think, Joe traveled all over the world while he worked. How can he top that in retirement?

rojo_grande · 06-15-2018, 03:35 PM

Say is ain't so Joe!

I had the pleasure of meeting Joe on the 2016 Baja ride. I found him to be a straight shooter, very engaging with lots of great stories of his experiences both on and off bikes over the years. He is a stand up guy as is Steve at CSC.

I agree that Joe was the right person at the right time for CSC and their partnership with Zongshen. Joe's engineering background and in particular his expertise in manufacturing processes and procedures lent tremendous credibility to the quality concerns that many may have had initially regarding the CB's that CSC offers. He championed and fiercely defended the product from the nay-sayers and haters. Not to put words in his mouth but I don't think Joe would have done this if he were just a mouthpiece/pitchman for CSC and didn't truly believe in the product.

It is also unusual for an engineering type to have such a passion for writing that allowed him to convey his enthusiasm for traveling, riding, and CSC products/services as well as firearms, shooting, etc.

Anyway, I wish Joe all the best in his retirement. I suspect he will be keeping an eye on here and other boards.

Rojo

Essayons · 06-15-2018, 04:11 PM

Joe enjoy your well earned retirement!

Is there a way to get notifications about CSC's Blog? I check it out every once in a while but wouldn't mind getting notifications.

rjmorel · 06-15-2018, 08:42 PM

go here
http://californiascooterco.com/blog/
and book mark then you'll always have it available, rj

ben2go · 06-16-2018, 01:36 PM

Well, there goes the world.

willy dog · 06-16-2018, 05:49 PM

Joe will be home on the range, were the deer and the antelope aren't safe. Good Luck

sqwert · 06-17-2018, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willy dog

Joe will be home on the range, were the deer and the antelope aren't safe. Good Luck

Yes, Joe will continue to serve the world in a most important way: reducing the numbers of deer and antelope playing road kill games with RX3 riders.

Sullybiker · 06-18-2018, 09:15 PM

Those are big, big shoes to fill.

He's really been a brand ambassador like no other for Chinese bikes in the US. I don't think there's anyone as good.

It's an interesting time; I think we're seeing the swansong of the RX3 on these shores over the next two years; It is surely just a matter of time before the slightly bigger platforms start making their way here.

06-14-2018, 08:03 PM	#1
NoVa Rider Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 144	Happy Trails Joe Berk I just saw over on the CSC blog that Joe Berk is retiring. I am totally unqualified to kick off a thread on Joe, but someone needs to do it, so I'll just say that to me, Joe has been the Godfather of the RX3 in the United States. He has sung the bike's praises, fought the good fight against anti-Chinese bike trolls, taken us all along vicariously on multiple adventure rides in the United States, Mexico, Columbia and China, written four fun and informative books on the RX3, and appeared in many videos on the RX3 and other CSC bikes from Zongshen. I have only scratched the surface, but I feel Joe has been with all of us on our respective RX3 journeys. And he has great taste in firearms. I will sincerely miss Joe's blogs and his many other contributions to the RX3 community. He writes about starting a new moto website and I certainly hope that comes to pass. Joe, I wish you the very best in your new adventures.
	8

06-14-2018, 09:20 PM	#2
dpl096 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: East Central Hellinois Posts: 1,344	Berk was the right man for the job at CSC. He's cut from the same cloth as Gresh . . . a real rider who happens to write - damn well at that. This isn't so much an end as a lane change. You've checked your mirror and peeked over your shoulder Joe. Now roll the throttle and move! __________________ ************************************************ * " Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted." - John Lennon “I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” ― Thomas Jefferson "If you don't know where you're going any road will take you there" ....George Harrison song
	2

06-14-2018, 10:25 PM	#3
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	I wonder if one of us can take over? I would LOVE such an opportunity, and have even recently moved to the L.A. area, but find myself way underqualified for such a position, meaning someone who is well versed in motorcycle mechanics AND not adverse to Chinese motorcycles...Megadan?? __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	1

06-15-2018, 03:35 PM	#5
rojo_grande Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Weston, CO & Sangre de Cristos Posts: 240	Say is ain't so Joe! I had the pleasure of meeting Joe on the 2016 Baja ride. I found him to be a straight shooter, very engaging with lots of great stories of his experiences both on and off bikes over the years. He is a stand up guy as is Steve at CSC. I agree that Joe was the right person at the right time for CSC and their partnership with Zongshen. Joe's engineering background and in particular his expertise in manufacturing processes and procedures lent tremendous credibility to the quality concerns that many may have had initially regarding the CB's that CSC offers. He championed and fiercely defended the product from the nay-sayers and haters. Not to put words in his mouth but I don't think Joe would have done this if he were just a mouthpiece/pitchman for CSC and didn't truly believe in the product. It is also unusual for an engineering type to have such a passion for writing that allowed him to convey his enthusiasm for traveling, riding, and CSC products/services as well as firearms, shooting, etc. Anyway, I wish Joe all the best in his retirement. I suspect he will be keeping an eye on here and other boards. Rojo __________________ '15 RX3 (Rojo's) '15 RX3 (marzhere's) '16 TT250
	3

06-15-2018, 08:42 PM	#7
rjmorel Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 928	go here http://californiascooterco.com/blog/ and book mark then you'll always have it available, rj __________________ Live Zong, and Prosper
	2

06-15-2018, 04:11 PM	#6
Essayons Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: fontana, california Posts: 333	Joe enjoy your well earned retirement! Is there a way to get notifications about CSC's Blog? I check it out every once in a while but wouldn't mind getting notifications.
	0

06-16-2018, 01:36 PM	#8
ben2go Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,335	Well, there goes the world.
	1

06-16-2018, 05:49 PM	#9
willy dog Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: vermont Posts: 238	Joe will be home on the range, were the deer and the antelope aren't safe. Good Luck __________________ Peace and Zong Life
	0

06-18-2018, 09:15 PM	#11
Sullybiker Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Western PA Posts: 363	Those are big, big shoes to fill. He's really been a brand ambassador like no other for Chinese bikes in the US. I don't think there's anyone as good. It's an interesting time; I think we're seeing the swansong of the RX3 on these shores over the next two years; It is surely just a matter of time before the slightly bigger platforms start making their way here.
	1