Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: pyoungbl on February 02, 2016, 07:38:14 PM
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Maybe it's psychological, maybe it's old age. At any rate, I'm starting to think in terms of smaller, lighter, and simpler. I'm the owner of a fantastic Stelvio and an equally neat V7. Bought both new and I have no regrets. Now I want to try something even smaller than the V7. Today I ordered a CSC RX3. This is a re-branded Zongshen 250cc adventure bike. http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/RX3-CYCLONE-s/108.htm Yep, Chinese. The same company that made BMW 650 engines, some HD parts, and (I think) at least part of the latest Ducati Scrambler. This will push me to downsize my traveling kit and that's OK. In fact, it's long overdue. By the end of February I should have something interesting sitting in the driveway. Ah, the adventure continues. Maybe the idea of a new 500cc Falcone is not quite so strange after all.
Peter Y.
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I dig my Harley 883 hugely for many reasons and one of the foremost is size and though it has same mass, the ass is low.
There are some pretty cool 1/4 litre +/- bikes out there. That pretty little Ninja comes immediately to mind as does the Suzuki TU250.
Todd.
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Read a road trip report recently where those bikes were the weapon of choice . Keep us apprised Peter, they look interesting .
Dusty
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I have been following the CSC bike saga for a while now. Really like the idea of importer direct.... As for not having a dealer network, I have a Guzzi and a Buell. What do you think! Lol
But seriously, the older I get, the more I think about what would happen if I dumped the bike out in the boonies while riding alone.
Would really like to see a 400cc ADV bike. That seems like the perfect size to me.
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I'm very interested to hear how you get on with this over time.
I get to read a lot of first impressions, but there's never a bunch of follow up.
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That is something I've considered too, I'll be curious. Mostly if it is a viable dual purpose bike.
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Several manufacturers are offering 250 - 300cc bikes that look like they'd be a blast to ride. The 'baby' Ninja twin, and Honda's 250 or 300cc (don't remember which) single come with relatively low price tags and decent warranties. When I purchased my Kaw W650, I added 2 additional years of factory warranty to the bike's 12mo/12000 mile warranty for not a bunch of money. When the exhaust cracked ahead of the muffler, I could have had it welded. However, Kaw honored their warranty and replaced the right header and muffler, at well over 25,000 miles.
I'm beginning to find the V7II rather attractive, and that'd be a step down in size for me, coming off the 1200 Sport (if that were to happen.)
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I love my V7II but my other bike is a Suzuki TU250X. I get so many compliments from that bike, it looks like a late 1960s British motorcycle and several people have asked if I restored it. Very light even compared to a V7II (it feels like getting on a scooter or a bicycle after being on the V7II) and very smooth and quiet. I prefer the V7II on the highway but the Suzuki has no problem traveling at 65mph though at 70mph it is pretty much tapped out. I am getting 75 - 80 mpg and it uses regular gas and will cruise 180+ miles on one tank. It is a joy on gravel roads. I have saddle bags and a Burley flat-bed bicycle trailer for in town shopping and groceries and laundry, etc. There is an excellent Suzuki TU250X forum. Someone on the forum has even added a sidecar and that is a beautiful rig. The Louisiana State Police use this motorcycle for beginners training and if I had to have only one motorcycle I don't know what I would do. I don't really need two motorcycles and sometimes it is even a bother having two but I can't bring myself to get rid of the TUX, it is such a beautiful and fun little bike.
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Nice! I've done 500-km days on my WR250R and find it, well, tiring. The engine is capable of highway speeds all day long, but pretty buzzy at anything over 80 km/h. I'm very interested to hear what the CSC is like. :thumb:
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I had a CZ250 in the stable for a few years. Very fun to ride.
be sure to read Joe Gresh's story last month about touring on that bike. Great stuff.
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....
But seriously, the older I get, the more I think about what would happen if I dumped the bike out in the boonies while riding alone.
Would really like to see a 400cc ADV bike. That seems like the perfect size to me.
That's why my ADV bike is a 650cc thumper instead of a 1200cc twin. It still weighs over 400#, but, I can at least stand it back up by myself. Now, a 400cc AV bike weighing 300#, that would be the perfect ADV bike IMHO.
I don't see any reason one couldn't just buy any of the already existing 250cc Enduros and make an ADV Bike out of it.
There are many (not all listed are current models):
Yamaha WR250R (likely the best of the class)
Kawasaki KLR250
Kawasaki KLX250X
Kawasaki Super Sherpa
Suzuki DRZ250
Honda CRF250L (and the older CRF230L)
I'd be a lot more comfortable with the reliability of these Japanese models than an unproven Chinese bike.
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Its not a 250 but it is really light.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic047/motorcycle%20inspired%20bicycle_zpspnzdh1h8.jpg)
Looking for the long downhill. :huh:
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Honda actually made a 250cc ADV bike in the late 80's, the NX250:
(https://www.bikepics.com/pics/2010%5C01%5C31%5Cbikepics-1891305-full.jpg)
Dry weight was 260lbs, so, likely 300 wet. The 249cc water cooled engine made 25HP, plenty for a 300 lb bike.
The air cooled 249cc engine of the XR250L at the time was only 19 HP.
The suspension had 8.7" of travel in the front, and 7.9" in the back, definitely off road capable.
It had a small fairing to offer a little wind protection on the highway.
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My nephew has been running around west africa (primarily Ghana) for the last year and a half on this Chinese Apsonic Aloba. He loads it down heavily, and generally beats the snot out of it, and it's proven a crazy reliable steed.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/seth%20Apsonic_zpsvmgbeucl.jpg) (http://s93.photobucket.com/user/tiokimo/media/seth%20Apsonic_zpsvmgbeucl.jpg.html)
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Honda actually made a 250cc ADV bike in the late 80's, the NX250:
Dry weight was 260lbs, so, likely 300 wet. The 249cc water cooled engine made 25HP, plenty for a 300 lb bike.
The air cooled 249cc engine of the XR250L at the time was only 19 HP.
The suspension had 8.7" of travel in the front, and 7.9" in the back, definitely off road capable.
It had a small fairing to offer a little wind protection on the highway.
Also had an "odd" sized rear tire - 120/90-16. Probably the only reason MZ Saxon Country owners can still find suitable tires!
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That's why my ADV bike is a 650cc thumper instead of a 1200cc twin. It still weighs over 400#, but, I can at least stand it back up by myself. Now, a 400cc AV bike weighing 300#, that would be the perfect ADV bike IMHO.
I don't see any reason one couldn't just buy any of the already existing 250cc Enduros and make an ADV Bike out of it.
There are many (not all listed are current models):
Yamaha WR250R (likely the best of the class)
Kawasaki KLR250
Kawasaki KLX250X
Kawasaki Super Sherpa
Suzuki DRZ250
Honda CRF250L (and the older CRF230L)
I'd be a lot more comfortable with the reliability of these Japanese models than an unproven Chinese bike.
You forgot the XT225 and XT250. "Lois on the Loose" proved the 225 was ADV capable. She was at the Timonium (MD) Motorcycle Show last year, but unfortunately not again this year. http://cycleshow.net/travel-touring/
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You forgot the XT225 and XT250. "Lois on the Loose" proved the 225 was ADV capable. She was at the Timonium (MD) Motorcycle Show last year, but unfortunately not again this year. http://cycleshow.net/travel-touring/
Thanks, Charlie. I don't know how I could forget the XT, esp. since they are priced much lower than the WR (Guzzi content).
I have a friend who rides his all over the fire roads up in State College and loves it.
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A Yamaha XT 225 "Serow" was my wife's first street legal bike. Great little air cooled enduro that would go almost anywhere, and was stone solid reliable. I changed the front sprocket to make the gearing 1 tooth taller for the highway, and my wife put many enjoyable miles on that bike touring around Arizona.
Rick.
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I'm very interested in the RX3 as well. I'll most likely be buying one in the next 8 months or so.
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Peter,
Cool bike! Nothing wrong with a 250 in my book! Please let us know impressions as you ride it and enjoy.
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Glad you pulled the trigger, bit the bullet, kicked the ball....
Bring it to Daytona! Better yet, RIDE it to Daytona!
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My V50s (II and Monza) are reasonably light at maybe 375 pounds. And feel heavy compared to the 300-lb BSA B40/SS90. I recently got to ride a friend's 125cc MV, vintage `54 or 55 or so. Felt like a bicycle with a motor and was all sorts of silly fun on small backroads up to maybe 50 mph. Made the Beeza feel like a heavy pig, lol. The most fun I've ever had not going more the 50 mph :grin:. I rode a Ninja 300 for a bit a couple of years ago, felt electric, smooth, light, and boring with little tactile feedback. Much shifting necessary, and downshifting 4 gears to a stop from 30 mph or so was a bit interesting.
250 to 350 used to be a reasonably-sized bike. Now 500s are "too small" and anything under a liter is for "beginners". How silly!
cr
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I'm in the process of reading a book that goes into the development of CSC (the company) and their new offerings. 5000 miles at 8000 RPM available on Amazon for Kindle @ $10. It's a fun winter read. I'm getting a greater degree of confidence about the bike as I see what a world class manufacturing operation is behind it. Sara and I went to China a year ago and it's a bit easier to understand how sophisticated their manufacturing can be, given the chance. Too many times the customer is demanding low cost rather than quality. In this case the company is determined to hold the line on quality and let the cost fall where it may. As an example, 100% of the bikes are put on a dyno to prove output. That's QC to the nth degree.
There is a good chance I'll have the bike at Daytona, in 4 weeks.
Peter Y.
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A 250 is a nice size. Don't listen to the chest- thumpers that say differently.
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Peter, I see at the moment that you have a big block and a small block.
Have you considered getting rid of the big block, getting a 250 for general all purpose stuff and keeping the small block for the longer trips. I do not find the (small block) Breva very heavy at all to heave around and also find it very comfortable for the longer trips.
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Honda actually made a 250cc ADV bike in the late 80's, the NX250:
(https://www.bikepics.com/pics/2010%5C01%5C31%5Cbikepics-1891305-full.jpg)
Dry weight was 260lbs, so, likely 300 wet. The 249cc water cooled engine made 25HP, plenty for a 300 lb bike.
The air cooled 249cc engine of the XR250L at the time was only 19 HP.
The suspension had 8.7" of travel in the front, and 7.9" in the back, definitely off road capable.
It had a small fairing to offer a little wind protection on the highway.
I rescued one of these from a barn a few weeks ago..hope to go through it before summer
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m245/eldomike/1988%20Honda%20NX250/20151224_143233_zpshld2g0lw.jpg)
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Peter, I see at the moment that you have a big block and a small block.
Have you considered getting rid of the big block, getting a 250 for general all purpose stuff and keeping the small block for the longer trips. I do not find the (small block) Breva very heavy at all to heave around and also find it very comfortable for the longer trips.
Yes, I actually put the Stelvio on the market in December but changed my mind in January. I have planned a trip from Va to Ca in July. The Stelvio is a fantastic bike for munching miles so it makes sense to hang on to it until I finish that trip. Then I'll get back down to two bikes, V7 and the 250. I did a 1500 mile weekend rally on the V7 last fall. No problems. The Stelvio lets me carry much more camping gear and it has that fantastic range. OTOH, I dread moving the Big Girl if/when she takes a nap.
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The RX3 is a neat looking bike! The 2500 mile valve check intervals seems a bit excessive or if not, it would get irritating to me pretty quickly.
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The 2500 mile valve check came from the engineers at Zongshen and it appears to be a very conservative figure. CSC did a 5,000 mile tour with 10 of these bikes and found that all the valves were basically well in spec after that trip...5K at 8K rpm. CSC is now recommending 5K valve check. Zongshen also spec'd a 2K mile oil change. I intend to pull oil samples at each change just to figure out how often I need to change the oil. The bike only holds 1.5 Quarts or so. Interestingly enough, there is a cartridge oil filter and two oil strainers. You replace the filter and check the strainers for metal bits (just like on the Stelvio 8V...but there is no requirement to check the one on the Stelvio). To do a full oil change you need to remove all three drains so you get a full drain from both the crankcase and the transmission, they share the same oil.
Peter Y.
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I had a look at their parts diagram and can't figure out their oil pump. Seems there are two. Maybe they have a scavenge pump and a pressure pump, thus all the strainers? I realize that a ball bearing crank probably doesn't need a whole lot of oil, but I want more oil than that in my crankcase.
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http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/CSC-TT-250-s/275.htm
$1,895 for a new 250 dual-sport.
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Thanks for pointing out the dual pumps. As I understand it, there are actually two sumps. One is for the crankcase, the other for the transmission. Maybe that's why there are two pumps. Interestingly enough, the V7II has a oil pump in the transmission. My Stelvio has two pumps but one is high pressure/low volume for stuff like the rods and cams. The second pump is low pressure/high volume for the oil radiator.
As for oil volume, I'm with you on that. They don't have much oil capacity. Of course, neither does my V7 (only about 1.5 qt) with three times the engine capacity. That's why I added a sump extender for the V7.....probably not needed but it makes me feel good!
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Man, that's a lot of bike for that kind of money.. <rummaging through couch cushions>
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Man, that's a lot of bike for that kind of money.. <rummaging through couch cushions>
The TT250 really has me thinking. Selling off the ATK and CCM projects would more than cover it.
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Man, that's a lot of bike for that kind of money.. <rummaging through couch cushions>
You're not kidding!
Hot damn, this is exactly what I wanted a few years ago...
Still want, but....
I'll try and exercise self control, we'll see.
-Joe
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That CSC thing is very tempting. I'd need room for it but it has me thinking .
I'd probably need to move at least the scooter or Sport. I will have to ponder if it would fit where I am in life. Also if the dressed model would be sensible-though I have become a soft-bag fan in the last few years.
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I think most guzzi owners would fair really well with CSC's model of no dealers. It's pretty much what we deal with right now. Most of us get parts from 3 places here in the US.
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In my opinion, 16.1 horsepower severely limits the usefulness of the bike. Compare that to the low 30s for a Ninja 250 (about 25 rear wheel HP), which is actually OK on the highway.
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In my opinion, 16.1 horsepower severely limits the usefulness of the bike. Compare that to the low 30s for a Ninja 250 (about 25 rear wheel HP), which is actually OK on the highway.
If I read Peter's first post correctly he intends keeping the small block at least, which means the 250 is for "hacking around
"on and having the bigger bike for trips. In that scenario 16 prancing ponies is probably more than ample. Hang, I did about 200,000 miles on a 12hp 350 Matchy. I suspect the power of the CSC is developed down lower than the Ninja, which is ideal for trail riding and around town use.
As pointed out earlier, the no dealer network is what most of us have anyway. "Moto Guzzi, making mechanics out of riders since 1921".
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From the Royal Enfield Himalaya thread over on ADVRider:
I bought one of the CSC RX3's last year and have 6200 trouble free miles on it now. I like it for what it is and it hauled my butt all over the Pacific North West last summer on camping trips. If someone stole it I would definitely miss it but wouldn't be broke financially and I would buy another , rj
6,200 miles isn't much, but, it is a data point. He definitely seems to like it.
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If I read Peter's first post correctly he intends keeping the small block at least, which means the 250 is for "hacking around
"on and having the bigger bike for trips. In that scenario 16 prancing ponies is probably more than ample. Hang, I did about 200,000 miles on a 12hp 350 Matchy. I suspect the power of the CSC is developed down lower than the Ninja, which is ideal for trail riding and around town use.
As pointed out earlier, the no dealer network is what most of us have anyway. "Moto Guzzi, making mechanics out of riders since 1921".
I dunno. He told me that redline was 11,000 RPM on the 250!
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If I read Peter's first post correctly he intends keeping the small block at least, which means the 250 is for "hacking around
"on and having the bigger bike for trips. In that scenario 16 prancing ponies is probably more than ample. Hang, I did about 200,000 miles on a 12hp 350 Matchy. I suspect the power of the CSC is developed down lower than the Ninja, which is ideal for trail riding and around town use.
No argument with your points Muzz, but for me 16 does limit usefulness. Once you're over about 25 or so, you can use the bike for pretty much anything you might want to. During a recent meet, a friend declined to go on a 100+ mile ride with the group, concerned that in the mountains he would hold the others back, because he had brought his 16 hp Suzuki TU250.
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Leafman, the redline is 9,000 but ignition cutoff is at 11,000.
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Leafman, the redline is 9,000 but ignition cutoff is at 11,000.
HP peak is 7,000 RPM, I can't imagine it could even hit the 9,000 RPM redline, except completely unloaded.
No matter, with torque peak at 5,500, and HP peak at 7,000 RPM, there is no reason to rev it that high.
It should do it's intended job well.
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Agree that the engine is suited for its purpose. According to Zongshen data the NC250 engine that is used in the RX3 produces max torque of 23 N-M@ 7,000 and max horsepower 19 KW@9,000. Due to the gearing it takes 9K rpm to cruise on the Interstate....not where I'd want to ride this puppy but the engine can sustain long periods of redline use. The factory tests each bike on a dyno and they must reach 84 mph to pass. Most can get up to 90. This is with no wind resistance so it does not translate into doing over 80 on the highway.
Here's a link: http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/2016-new-design-genuine-zongshen-NC250_60045610311.html?spm=a2700.7724857.29.39.yFGX0U
Peter Y.
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According to Zongshen data the NC250 engine that is used in the RX3 produces max torque of 23 N-M@ 7,000 and max horsepower 19 KW@9,000.
Something's wrong. The link in the 1st post says "Horsepower: 16.1 @ 7,000 rpm". Your Alibaba link says "Max power(km/r/min): 19/9000". Assuming that's a misprint and they meant to say kW instead of km, 19 kW is a little over 25 hp.
Maybe 25 is crankshaft hp anbd 16.1 is rear wheel hp. Just guessing.
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Isn't hp for the RX3 21 and the TT250 16.1? Y'all are discussing two different bikes/engines.
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Maybe that's the something that's wrong, Charlie. :laugh:
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Leafman's link was to the 225cc engine on the TT250. That's where the 16.1 hp @ 7,000 came from. Although the TT250 is a CSC bike it's not the same as the RX3. The TT250 is 5 speed, carb, and 225cc; the RX3 is an entirely different powerplant, 6 speed, fuel injected and 249cc. I can see how one could get confused. Another difference is that the TT250 is $1.9K, the RX3 is $2K more.
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RE the two oil pumps, I just got confirmation from CSC that one pump is for the engine and the other is for the transmission. It seems that quite a few Asian bikes have dual pumps with this arrangement.
Peter Y.
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In my opinion, 16.1 horsepower severely limits the usefulness of the bike. Compare that to the low 30s for a Ninja 250 (about 25 rear wheel HP), which is actually OK on the highway.
That's true. In my garage I have my Guzzi EV, Yamaha FJR, and my 2008 250 Ninjette. I love the little bike, I ride it more often than the big bikes. Not a long distance machine but a great ride for day trips and commuting. I'll always have a small bike until I can't ride anymore.
Bill
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RE the two oil pumps, I just got confirmation from CSC that one pump is for the engine and the other is for the transmission. It seems that quite a few Asian bikes have dual pumps with this arrangement.
Peter Y.
Thank you for finding that out, I was puzzled as to what engineering shortcoming this was for, but now it makes sense.
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I seem to recall that decades ago Yamaha applied the dual pump arrangement to a racer to save the energy lost in transmission to splashing oil.
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Another reason to have an oil pump in the transmission is to get away from roller bearings and to use plain bearings. Probably cheaper and offering more bearing surface. The V7II has a pump in the tranny.
Peter Y.
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Another reason to have an oil pump in the transmission is to get away from roller bearings and to use plain bearings. Probably cheaper and offering more bearing surface. The V7II has a pump in the tranny.
Peter Y.
That is a huge part of the reason. Roller bearings actually offer greater resistance than do proper plain bearings.
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OK, campfire friends, the long awaited RX3 arrived today.
(https://peteryoungblood.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2016-Zongchen-RX3/i-dCt5QqG/0/M/DSCF0098-M.jpg)
This is after I peeled the cardboard off the top and one side. Note the extra front wheel. I paid for the upgrade to a 19" front so the standard '18 is now a spare.
(https://peteryoungblood.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2016-Zongchen-RX3/i-WjzGSKS/0/M/DSCF0100-M.jpg)
from the other side after all the cardboard was gone. You can see the spare rear tire I ordered.
After I installed the mirrors and put a license plate on the bike we went for a 60 mile ride. This was my normal break-in routine, full throttle runs in gears 2-5 up to (in this case) 7K rpm. The recommended break-in is to not exceed 7K for the first 500 miles. FWIW, 7K in 6th is about 60 mph. Redline is 9K and the ECU has a hard stop at 11K so what I am doing is hardly stressing this engine.
Bottom line: the fit and finish are darn good. The engine is very smooth for a thumper and it has about as much power as I expected from a 250....perfect for putting down dirt roads and able to keep up with traffic at 60 mph. I suspect 75 or 80 will be WFO. The fasteners are mostly high quality stainless steel 6mm, with a few black metal screws holding some of the plastic bits. I had to take the tank off in order to fit an aftermarket shock. Imagine my shock to find a QD that is actually a Quick Disconnect! BTW the tank is steel, not plastic. For '16 the forks are adjustable for compression (supposed to also change rebound), the OEM shock has some compression adjustment but it looks like a place where the factory might have cut some corners (just like my V7). Preload is adjustable on the rear. All in all the bike has exceeded my expectations.
When installing the new shock I had a chance to check the dogbone for grease. Suffice to say that the Chinese must assemble based on the same guidance that Guzzi uses. I slapped a liberal dose of grease on all the needle bearings. Tomorrow I'll put enough miles on to do the 200 mile oil change, per the factory recommendation. The bike only takes 1.7L of oil and it's going to be 15W40 Rotella-T full synthetic. The importer assembles the bike, takes it on a 8-10 mile test ride, and then changes the oil. I'll put 200 more miles and change again. I think that's a bit much but, what the heck, I'll do it just to be safe. After that it's every 2,000 miles or until my oil analysis says it's time. More to follow.
Peter Y.
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Keep us apprised Peter , looks like serious fun :bike-037:
Dusty
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This what I downsize to when riding my local back roads, it's always been a great bike in gravel.
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af212/bmwr65/2016-02-08%2014.19.58_zps1uxxgfco.jpg)
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Peter, that had to be a hoot to open up that box. :smiley: :thumb: Good luck and have fun with it..
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Good stuff Peter.
I had a Honda 250 RS a few years back. A naked road bike with the black 250 trail motor in it. Great bike. I once did a 500km trip sitting at 130kmh for the whole way (where I could). It was over 7grand in the rpm stakes. Never missed a beat.
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Congratulations Peter. Hope you have a lot of fun with it. I'm just imagining, unpacking a motorcycle! :boozing:
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OK, here's the beast in its natural habitat:
(https://peteryoungblood.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2016-Zongchen-RX3/i-pvvc3cM/0/M/IMG_1607-M.jpg)
(https://peteryoungblood.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2016-Zongchen-RX3/i-rBH3dFN/0/M/IMG_1606-M.jpg)
about 120 miles so far.
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Aww, isn't that a cutie? :smiley: :thumb:
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Peter,
You must look like the proverbial monkey on a football when you're on that thing! :evil:
Looks good, let us know how it performs on the trails. I love my 250 KLX for singletrack and any other dirt, . . .pavement, two lanes and around 60mph.
Tom
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Bring it by Phoenix so I can test ride it. :) I'd be sorely tempted if I didn't have a 650L already. Which is paid for. sigh..
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Chuck asked how the little 250 is performing.....GREA T! Last weekend I went on a 400 mile round trip with a full load of camping gear.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trip/Horizons-Unlimited-VA-meet/i-3bbZb8s/0/M/DSCF0132-M.jpg)
The ride was all on 55-60 mph highways...no Interstate....and the Zong was very happy, running around 6K rpm at 60 mph.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trip/Horizons-Unlimited-VA-meet/i-n2qGCzJ/0/M/DSCF0134-M.jpg)
Yes, tanks really do cross this road...US40 bisects Fort Pickett, a Army National Guard training post.
Hills made me go to WFO a few times in order to maintain speed. The suspension worked best with the extra load and was actually better than the V7 with stock suspension (well, that's not saying much). I found that I need about 4-4.5K to pull away from a stoplight with anything like a normal pace, due to the extra weight.
When I got to Appomattox I found that there was another Zong present. Of course I had to park next to him. That guy rode in from Wisconsin. All weekend long there were people asking questions about the Zongs and Andy spent hours pointing out the various features. Evidently the motorcycle mag articles got lots of interest but nobody had seen the bikes in the flesh.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trip/Horizons-Unlimited-VA-meet/i-5RG2J7w/0/M/DSCF0141-M.jpg)
Since buying the bike I have made a few upgrades. Now I have it rigged for heated gear, GPS, and upgraded horns. I did my first oil change, no drama there. The bike has a paper oil filter and two metal oil strainers (one for transmission, one for engine) and takes 1.7 quarts of 10W40. 500 miles is also when they want you to check the valve lash. That lash was just set by CSC in California prior to shipping to me. After years of messing with my Guzzi valve checks this was.....no fun at all. All my valves were tight so I re-set them to .06mm. It's a challenge to get at the tiny valve covers. Everyone says that after the first time it goes much quicker. I can see that. Nevertheless, this is a regular 2500 mile service item and not one I'd like to tackle in the middle of a trip. Also, the valves should settle in now, maybe 2500 will prove to be too soon. At least it's screw and locknut, not shim under bucket.
Overall quality of build exceeded my expectation. This engine is used in quite a few other motorcycles around the world, it's not a brand new design just for the USA. Almost everything is fastened with either 8mm or 10mm bolts or some phillips head screws. The tank is metal. The '16 model has adjustable forks in addition to the adjustable for preload and compression shock. Like almost modern bikes this one has a seat that looks good but not one that you can ride for hours and hours. I have already ordered the optional comfort seat. At least all the parts are inexpensive, compared to other bikes I have owned. Drop a Ducati and it's a mortgage payment, drop a Zong and it's a dinner.
Chuck, I hope that answers your question.
Peter Y.
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All my valves were tight so I re-set them to .06mm.
The specified clearance is really 2-1/2 thousandths? I thought my Ninja 250 had tight clearances at 4 and 5 thousandths.
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Cute little rig.
Did someone slip a BMW logo on there or is that just a gigantic coincidence? That'd tweak the true=believers, engine manufacturing-cross pollination not withstanding.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trip/Horizons-Unlimited-VA-meet/i-3bbZb8s/0/M/DSCF0132-M.jpg)
Todd.
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recommended clearance is .04~.06mm....yep, you read that right.
Oh, I did glue on the BMW rondels. Last weekend I had a few BMW owners asking if this was the new 300cc model from India. One guy was pissed that the Chinese had clearly made an exact copy of the orange BMW...pointing at the white Zong beside my bike. I tried to let him down easy.
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recommended clearance is .04~.06mm....yep, you read that right.
Oh, I did glue on the BMW rondels. Last weekend I had a few BMW owners asking if this was the new 300cc model from India. One guy was pissed that the Chinese had clearly made an exact copy of the orange BMW...pointing at the white Zong beside my bike. I tried to let him down easy.
I was going to gig you about the roundel, but I see I've been beat to the punch. It sounds like you're having a great time with it. It certainly looks the business when you have it loaded. :thumb:
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recommended clearance is .04~.06mm....yep, you read that right.
Oh, I did glue on the BMW rondels.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :thumb:
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SWM Silver Vase 440 sounds like another option (where it's available)
Italian brand, Chinese manufacturing, bored-out copy of a honda XR400 (?)
Looks good in this review. Too bad it's in French but to summarise, they really liked it
https://youtu.be/e5tt1B7eZZc
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A friend of mine has a Stelvio and one of those 250 bikes. He's pleased with the 250 a great deal.
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Oh, I did glue on the BMW rondels.
The color, the shapes and the niche... how could one not and still say that he knows from humor? I dig it but wasn't certain it was BMW on my screen.
Tell everyone that you're "beta testing" (whatever the hell that is) for Beemer. All secret squirrel, hush-hush... No pictures please!
Man would I be "rumor central" if I had this opportunity. On second thought, by the time I was done with the play, I'd have the full weight of BMW's teutonic, litigiouslaw all over me.
Todd.
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Still think a 900 based Stelvio would be good - when I'm ready...
Spud
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The specified clearance is really 2-1/2 thousandths? I thought my Ninja 250 had tight clearances at 4 and 5 thousandths.
I worked at a Honda dealership in the 1960s and the settings for most of their bikes was .002" intake and .003" exhaust.
Ralph
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I agree with swordds. I also have a suzuki Tu250x and a v7 II. The suzuki is a beatiful little machine. Very reliable and a ton of fun to ride. It's also very easy to work on and as swordds mentioned there is a very dedicated fan club/forum (tu250riders.com). The tu250 looks great, it's light and great to ride around town. I use it for the city and short trips and my v7 for longer highway trips. In the forum, there have been tu250 owners who sold it to upgrade to bigger bikes and then went back to the tu250 because it's a lot of fun to ride.
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I worked at a Honda dealership in the 1960s and the settings for most of their bikes was .002" intake and .003" exhaust.
Ralph
Amazing. I guess I just missed out on tight clearance 4-stroke engines with all my involvement with the Kawasaki triples. :grin: My first 4-stroke was the big block Chevy in my drag boat, and that's 0.024" intake and 0.026" exhaust. You can't really hear the clatter over the open headers though.