CSC RX3 Design Changes - year by year

detours · 05-25-2016, 05:57 PM

Here's a feature design list I've been tracking on the CSC RX3 for each model year. It's not intended as a comprehensive feature list ... more like a change list. Unless called out, all features from the previous model are assumed to continue in the next one.

Feel free to mention anything I missed on the US-spec bike.

Prototype Bike - demo'ed, but never sold in US

15" rear wheel.
220 watt alternator.
Non-stainless steel header pipe, routed low and exposed.
Exposed O2 sensor and wiring location.
1-piece air filter cover (difficult to access).
2 bearings in the rear wheel.

2015 Production Model - US

17" rear wheel with cushion hub.
300 watt alternator.
Updated wiring harness with 2 accessory plugs and handlebar switches.
Stainless steel header pipe, routed higher (less exposed).
Relocated O2 sensor (less exposed).
2-piece air filter cover for easier access.
30mm countershaft sprocket nut
4 bearings in the rear wheel.
Available Colors: Garnet red, Ice white, orange, blue.

2015.5 Model - US & Canada

New headlight reflector with better side and road illumination, due to a smaller running light and no side LED strips. Still 35W halogen.
Ignition key opens luggage.

2016 Model - US & Canada

Satin handlebar with bar-end weights.
Anodized fork with rebound adjustment.
New graphics: Adventure instead of Speed.
Grease zerks on swingarm.
32mm countershaft sprocket nut
Available colors: Garnet red, Ice white, (new fade-resistant) Sahara orange, Sierra silver. Discontinued blue.
Matching painted fairing panel.

SpudRider · 05-25-2016, 07:25 PM

Thanks for compiling this information, Detours.

I have added this thread as a link in the RX3 Tech Sticky, under the Modifications subheading.

dpl096 · 05-25-2016, 09:58 PM

Well done Detours

E_V_A_N · 05-13-2020, 02:40 PM

Hey all,
I'm about to buy a prototype bike here in Peru.
I'm wondering if it's worth it to change to a later, 4-bearing, cushioned-hub 17" rear wheel? Is there that much of a difference in smootheness or longevity?

pyoungbl · 05-13-2020, 04:18 PM

The very early bikes imported to the US had some rear bearing problems. CSC started stocking Japanese replacements. If your 'prototype' bike came with the Chinese bearings I'd want to change them out, no matter which style you get. If your bike is fitted with the 15" rear, like the ones sold in China, I'd switch to the 17" rear just because there are lots more tire options for 17".

E_V_A_N · 05-13-2020, 07:38 PM

Good to know about the bearings, thanks for the tip.
It doesn't seem to be too much of an issue to find the tires, personally I'm more concerned with it lacking a cushioned hub. Can one retro-fit this to the 15?
As I think about it more and more, a 17" rear wheel might be difficult to come by here (and expensive)

05-25-2016, 05:57 PM	#1
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	CSC RX3 Design Changes - year by year Here's a feature design list I've been tracking on the CSC RX3 for each model year. It's not intended as a comprehensive feature list ... more like a change list. Unless called out, all features from the previous model are assumed to continue in the next one. Feel free to mention anything I missed on the US-spec bike. Prototype Bike - demo'ed, but never sold in US 15" rear wheel. 220 watt alternator. Non-stainless steel header pipe, routed low and exposed. Exposed O2 sensor and wiring location. 1-piece air filter cover (difficult to access). 2 bearings in the rear wheel. 2015 Production Model - US 17" rear wheel with cushion hub. 300 watt alternator. Updated wiring harness with 2 accessory plugs and handlebar switches. Stainless steel header pipe, routed higher (less exposed). Relocated O2 sensor (less exposed). 2-piece air filter cover for easier access. 30mm countershaft sprocket nut 4 bearings in the rear wheel. Available Colors: Garnet red, Ice white, orange, blue. 2015.5 Model - US & Canada New headlight reflector with better side and road illumination, due to a smaller running light and no side LED strips. Still 35W halogen. Ignition key opens luggage. 2016 Model - US & Canada Satin handlebar with bar-end weights. Anodized fork with rebound adjustment. New graphics: Adventure instead of Speed. Grease zerks on swingarm. 32mm countershaft sprocket nut Available colors: Garnet red, Ice white, (new fade-resistant) Sahara orange, Sierra silver. Discontinued blue. Matching painted fairing panel. __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol Last edited by detours; 06-03-2016 at 02:16 AM.
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05-25-2016, 07:25 PM	#2
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thanks for compiling this information, Detours. I have added this thread as a link in the RX3 Tech Sticky, under the Modifications subheading. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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05-25-2016, 09:58 PM	#3
dpl096 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: East Central Hellinois Posts: 1,344	Well done Detours __________________ ************************************************ * " 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
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05-13-2020, 02:40 PM	#4
E_V_A_N Join Date: May 2020 Location: Cusco, Peru Posts: 12	Hey all, I'm about to buy a prototype bike here in Peru. I'm wondering if it's worth it to change to a later, 4-bearing, cushioned-hub 17" rear wheel? Is there that much of a difference in smootheness or longevity?
	0

05-13-2020, 04:18 PM	#5
pyoungbl Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Posts: 632	The very early bikes imported to the US had some rear bearing problems. CSC started stocking Japanese replacements. If your 'prototype' bike came with the Chinese bearings I'd want to change them out, no matter which style you get. If your bike is fitted with the 15" rear, like the ones sold in China, I'd switch to the 17" rear just because there are lots more tire options for 17".
	0

05-13-2020, 07:38 PM	#6
E_V_A_N Join Date: May 2020 Location: Cusco, Peru Posts: 12	Good to know about the bearings, thanks for the tip. It doesn't seem to be too much of an issue to find the tires, personally I'm more concerned with it lacking a cushioned hub. Can one retro-fit this to the 15? As I think about it more and more, a 17" rear wheel might be difficult to come by here (and expensive)
	0