Showing posts with label adv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adv. Show all posts

Sunday, May 15, 2016

First Ride on the CSC RX3 Zongshen Cyclone

After about 2 weeks of waiting on the DMV in Pennsylvania to send me tags I finally got them in order to ride the bike. For those that have not been following along on my social media rants, PA refused to give me temporary plates at time of registration. Stating that some "special ops" unit in Harrisburg had to review for approval. Whatever! Considering that 2 other RX3 owners in PA walked in to register their bikes and walked out with tags. Another example of inconsistent policies. Okay, enough about that because I feel like that is all I have talked about. I have been dying to ride this damn bike that I have been staring at in the garage and yesterday I finally got my chance! Here is how it went.

First I had to get gas. The bike shipped with "some" gas in it. I do have a one and half liter Biltwell fuel bottle that I did fill up in order to add a bit more fuel. The gas station was a further away than the gas in the tank would have been able to accommodate. Don't worry, I bought a center tank protector to replace the silly warning stickers.

Nonetheless, once leaving the gas station my first journey officially began and WOW was I blown away. I have a 600+ pound Harley Davidson Dyna, and this RX3 was just so light and nimble. The clutch was so smooth, and the exhausted just rumbled in my ears. I may need to wear ear plugs. Since it is higher sitting on this bike than my Harley exhaust is on my Dyna, I feel that it is just louder. It was also crazy getting use to the front end fairing not moving when turning the front wheel. On my Dyna the whole front end moves with each turn. It was just a different thing to get use to. The seat sucks, just like I have been reading on the forums. I confirmed that only 20 miles into my ride. 

 

After enjoying some twisties and a bit of light gravel, I had to make my way to show off the bike to my family. Of course everyone asked to sit on it, my nieces and nephews loved it. Although one of my nieces says she still likes the Harley more. Here and I spent lots of saddle time on the Harley together, so I don't blame her for her comment. Hopefully this bike will just allow her to realize that liking different bikes makes motorcycling more fun.


Another positive thing that came with this bike, is my husbands new interest in riding. He has recently passed his permit test and is signing up for an MSF class. In addition, I've picked him up some safety gear to get him started. This bike just changed my life. Even if he's riding it and I'm on my Harley, it is a win win. I look forward to looking at my right flank position and seeing my husband right by my side. Now that friends is a great beginning to a new moto chapter.

Ride safe friends, and ride far!










Sunday, February 21, 2016

Update: New Years Moto Resolution #7 - Check!

If you read my New Years Moto Resolution blog that I posted back in January, then you know #7 on my list for 2016 was to buy some type of Dual Sport or Adventure bike. Well, I am happy to report that I did it! I just pre-ordered an RX3 Cyclone Zongshen motorcycle. Wahoo!

A CSC photo

If you are not familiar with the RX3, then you must be living under a rock or just don't read a lot of motorcycle news/blogs. These bikes are like the best bang for your buck motorcycle, that is finally now being imported to the USA by CSC Motorcycles located out of sunny Azusa, CA, a suburb of LA.

The Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) however, has been around in southeast Asia for a few years. Zongshen Motorsports or as public traded, Chongqing Zongshen Power Machinery Company, has been around since 1992. It was founded by Zuo Zongshen from Chongqing, China. Just like most overseas motorcycle or scooter manufactures, they focus on small displacement bikes. The RX3 has been one of the more popular bikes in their lineup, which seems to be the reason they were put on the radar of many in the western hemisphere.

This bike might be a 250cc bike, but it has an upgraded stator to run a full set of heated gear, auxillary lights, and even electronics (cell phone, gps charging port). Not only that, but it comes with engine guards, luggage guards, and a skid plate for protection. And the icing on the cake, it comes with a full set of panniers! No joke! This is stock! So, for $3800 bucks you get more on this little puppy than you do spending $16k on a new BMW. Granted, you are probably laughing about my comparison, but at the end of the day, I have a full ADV bike for a fraction of the price and weight of the big boys. I can't wait.

Well now that I got all that out of the way, I'll close by giving you the specs and features as listed on CSC's site.
  • ENGINE: NC250
  • ENGINE TYPE: Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, 4 Valve Water Cooled, Overhead Cam with Balance Shaft.
  • MAXIMUM POWER: 24.8 hp
  • MAXIMUM TORQUE: 16.6 ft. lbs
  • PISTON SWEPT VOLUME: 250cc
  • COMPRESSION RATIO: 11.5:1
  • IGNITION SYSTEM: US Delphi EFI Electronic Ignition
  • CHAIN: Racing Type Oil Seal Chain
  • FRONT SUSPENSION: Dual Lubricating Inverted Forks
  • REAR SUSPENSION: Adjustable Central Rear Shock Absorber
  • HEADLIGHT: 3D Anti-Fog Fish Eye Headlamp
  • FRONT BRAKE: SINGLE PISTON CALIPER, SINGLE DISC, 262mm (10.31")
  • REAR BRAKE: SINGLE PISTON CALIPER, SINGLE DISC, 258mm (10.15")
  • SEAT HEIGHT: 31.3"
  • GROUND CLEARANCE: 8.3"


  • Features

  • 2 YEAR WARRANTY: 2 years parts and 1 year service
  • LENGTH/WIDTH/HEIGHT: 83.8" x 34.2" x 49.6". 
  • WHEELBASE: 55.1".
  • FUEL CAPACITY: 4.2 Gallons. 
  • WEIGHT: 385 lbs. 
  • MAXIMUM LOAD: 330 lbs. 
  • MAXIMUM SPEED: 84 mph. 
  • TRANSMISSION: 6 Speed, Internal Gear Shift. 
  • BRAKE SYSTEM: Disc, Front & Rear. 
  • FRONT TIRE/WHEEL: 100-90-18. 
  • REAR TIRE/WHEEL: 130-90-17. 
  • MUFFLER: Stainless Steel Waterproof Design. 
  • INSTRUMENTATION: Siemens Chip LCD Smart Speedometer.
  • IGNITION SYSTEM: US Delphi EFI Electronic Ignition

Sunday, January 24, 2016

New Years Moto Resolution

Happy 2016 friends! A new year, new trips, new resolutions. For me, this is a big year. I mean, I do not have plans to tour Africa this year, but I am house hunting. As much as I would like to stay a Nomad and disappear at will, the newlywed thing makes me a bit more grounded.

Here's what I have planned for 2016:


  1. Horizons Unlimited Virginia - April
  2. Outer Banks Bike week - April
  3. Babe's Ride Out -East Coast - May 
  4. Iron Butt- BBG - June
  5. Cuba- TBD, I just want to be sure to bet Corporate America there.
  6. Buy a house somewhere in the USA
  7. Buy an ADV motor bike (RX3, CB500X, going small)
  8. Even with all this planning, being spontaneous is awesome!
What are your plans for the new year?