New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[Belamoto]

Originally Posted by pete

Blue for me...
so when are you doing the promotional tour to CHCH.....

You mean something like this



Promotional tour to CHCH - absolutely. North island first I'm afraid but we will definitely get down your way.

[Belamoto]

Originally Posted by The Thinker

This bike in black with tubeless mags would be one of the best looking machines rolling down the block in my opinion definitely going to get it in black!

Black mags are an option but like Huck369 said, only available in 18" and 15". And don't get too excited about getting a black RX3 just yet. You'll have to speak nicely to the guys at CSC first

[Mudflap]

You can spray a bike with black or other color Plasti-Dip and it looks good if you're going for the flat black look. When you get tired of it just peel it off and it's back to original. Protects the paint underneath too.

Originally Posted by The Thinker

This bike in black with tubeless mags would be one of the best looking machines rolling down the block in my opinion definitely going to get it in black!

[oldqwerty]

Originally Posted by 3banger

How so? Not to be critical but I geuss I'll be critical. Having done all my own maintance on all of my bikes I don't see the Zong being any more expensive then my other bikes, more likely a little less. In all reality the owner ship cost of most most is vastly less if you do all your wrenching. If you ride a lot it's mostly just tires.

Now I have lots farkling plans that I'm sure will cost me a little bit at the beginning.

It's all relative. I'm spoiled. I've been riding TW200s mostly, with sealed batteries, o-ring chains, and all LED and HID lights. A complete service is a quart of oil and a few squirts of various maintenance goos. Takes about an hour. All filters are reusable, chain stretches so slowly adjustments are only needed when wheels with different tires are changed out for different types of riding, tires with Ride On last 20,000 miles, only two valves with the same adjustment style as the RX3, changed the spark plug at 28,000 miles, clutch at 16,000 due to oil mislabeled by supplier ... .

I'm not doing a lot of extras. Ordered the good luggage and center stand. I'm liking the 6 watt LED spots, and I've ordered some super high intensity LED TTL/strobes for the back like those used on emergency vehicles. All the rest of the bulbs will be replaced with LEDs, too. Might do HIDs for headlights, we'll see how the spots do. Probably will snag a sheepskin and some gel grips for comfort, and make some guards to keep the Hippo Hands off the levers in the winter, and that's about it for the bolt-ons. High visibility paint and some type of auxiliary fuel tank is about all the customizing I intend to do. Almost nothing compared to what it takes to get a TW or XT to the same state of readiness.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by oldqwerty

It's all relative. I'm spoiled. I've been riding TW200s mostly, with sealed batteries, o-ring chains, and all LED and HID lights. A complete service is a quart of oil and a few squirts of various maintenance goos. Takes about an hour. All filters are reusable, chain stretches so slowly adjustments are only needed (rarely)...

Indeed, the maintenance for the Yamaha TW200, and my Zongshen ZS200GY-2 which employs the same engine, is very minimal. My Zong requires the least maintenance of any of my four motorcycles.

I employ AGM batteries, O-ring drive chains, and LED lights on my bikes. However, changing the oil on my Zong is the simplest procedure for all of my motorcycles, and one never needs to check the coolant or watch the temperature on an air cooled engine. Having said all this, the maintenance required for the Zongshen RX3 will also be pretty simple.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Adjuster

What do you guys think costs more to manufacture? Spoked tube rims or mag tubeless rims? Just looking at the above picture thinking that bike would look great with mag tubeless rims.


/

Tubeless mag wheels look good, and make tire repairs/changes easier. However, mag wheels aren't as strong as wheels with spokes; therefore, mag wheels are much more likely to be damaged during off road riding. As Huck stated, the RX3 mag wheels are only available in a 15-inch rear, and an 18-inch front. However, since the mag wheels are much better suited for street riding, the lack of knobby tires for the 15-inch rear wheel is less troublesome.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by The Thinker

This bike in black with tubeless mags would be one of the best looking machines rolling down the block in my opinion definitely going to get it in black!

The mag wheels are definitely available in black.





As far as I know, the only other color available for the mag wheels is gold. Personally, I much prefer the black wheels.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by oldqwerty

...Some pondering on replacement tires:

I expect the 120/70-17 rear tire to be about 24.5 inches tall and 4.8 inches wide? Perhaps 25.1 inches tall and 3.9 inches wide for the 100/90-18 front?

The Kenda K760 Track Master II is a DOT approved 5-3 knobby that has worked extremely well in the dirt on a TW200. I'm wondering if a 130/90-17 (26.3/5.5) will fit on the back of a Cyclone? This would allow a little height to maintain steering geometry with the 19 inch front. These rear tires also come in 100/100-18 (25.9/4.5) and 100/90-19 (26.1/4.1) that might fit the front, but be warned, TWs don't like these on pavement on the front, especially when new.

The Kenda K784 Big Block comes in a 100/90-19 (26.1/4) front and 130/80-17 (25.2/5.1) rear. If they will fit they will sacrifice a little gnarly dirt traction for much improved ride and life over the K760. No 18 inch front option with the Big Block.

The venerable Kenda K270 is the most street friendly of the Kenda DOT knobbies and comes in 100/90-18 (25.8/4.1), 4.60-17 (25.7/4.3), and 5.10-17 (25.9/5.4), so a little ruler work might set us up. No 19-inch front option with the K270.

For the muddiest terrain, you can't beat the Kenda, K760 rear tire. The Kenda Big Block is another nice choice for the rear tire.

I have several favorites tires for the 18-inch front wheel. For nasty mud, the CST Surge I tire is available in size 110/90-18.

http://www.motoparthub.com/TM5327000...FU6UfgodSSsALg



The Shinko 244 front tire in size 3.00-18 is very nice for pavement and riding off road in dry terrain.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...FZGTfgodkWkA_w

I had this tire mounted on the 18-inch front wheel of my Zongshen ZS200GY-2, and it did a very good job, except in mud.

[pete]

try the Shinko 700....
best 50/50 ADV tire I have used
onto my 4th set on the XT..

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

...If you order the split plastic cover from Taobao you won't need to mess around with those bolts.

Originally Posted by katflap

...Good idea I will pick one up in my next order ...

Here's the link at Taobao.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...cket=20#detail

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by pete

try the Shinko 700....
best 50/50 ADV tire I have used
onto my 4th set on the XT..

That is another good tire, Pete. The size 5.10-17 tire will fit the rear wheel of the RX3.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...FUuTfgode1YA2Q

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Tubeless mag wheels look good, and make tire repairs/changes easier. However, mag wheels aren't as strong as wheels with spokes; therefore, mag wheels are much more likely to be damaged during off road riding. As Huck stated, the RX3 mag wheels are only available in a 15-inch rear, and an 18-inch front. However, since the mag wheels are much better suited for street riding, the lack of knobby tires for the 15-inch rear wheel is less troublesome.

X2 on all points. As well, a spoked wheel is repairable by the rider, whereas a damaged mag wheel becomes a larger issue.

[Mudflap]

How many miles do you get out of a Shinko 700 rear tire?

Originally Posted by SpudRider

That is another good tire, Pete. The size 5.10-17 tire will fit the rear wheel of the RX3.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...FUuTfgode1YA2Q

[pete]

Around 3000 / 3500 km on the rear..
Thats on a Yamaha XT660R.. I run the
rear at 23/25lbs , 29/30lbs is optimin on
the seal....
On a small 250 I would think somewhere
around 4500 / 5000k could be possable...

[Mudflap]

Thanks. I can usually squeeze almost 4000 miles out of a Shinko 244 and was looking for something that would last a bit longer. The tread on the 700 looked like it would go farther.

Originally Posted by pete

Around 3000 / 3500 km on the rear..
Thats on a Yamaha XT660R.. I run the
rear at 23/25lbs , 29/30lbs is optimin on
the seal....
On a small 250 I would think somewhere
around 4500 / 5000k could be possable...