Any experience with http://www.cscmotorcycles.com?

[bad Chad]

Sino made motorcycles.  I think Rod from the mid west rallies was riding the adventure bike around the IA rally.  It looked pretty good!

[pete roper]

I believe Peter Youngblood has one. I have to admit I really like the looks of the Zhong. Sadly they aren't available in Oz.

[Tom]

Chad, thanks for posting.  I'm looking for the youngest.  He'll need to get his endorsement but doesn't hurt to start looking.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/csc-250cc-rx-3-cyclone.1007040/

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

This was posted on Facebook this morning:

We need to make room for the inbound 2017 models, and we still have a few 2016s in stock, so it's time to start our end-of-year blowout sale! We're offering FREE shipping, FREE crating, FREE assembly, and FREE documentation on our remaining 2016 RX3s, RC3s, and TT250s! This will be our biggest sale ever! That's FREE shipping to most locations in the Lower 48 (call for details), FREE crating ($150), FREE assembly ($195), and we'll cover the documentation fee ($35). We're picking it all up! You're looking at a total savings of $680 to $880, depending on location. Folks, this is the deal of the lifetime. Don't wait - our 2016 inventory is limited, and when they're gone, they're gone!
TT250-$2195.00 RC3-$2988.00 RX3-$3855.00
For more info about this sale check out our website at WWW.CSCMOTORCYCLES. COM or give us a call at 800-884-4173

[pyoungbl]

Yes, I do have an RX3.  As noted, there is an ADVrider thread about the bike.  Also, chinariders.net has a RX3 thread.  You will find quite a few cross posts between the two.  I'm happy with my little Zong, have about 2700 miles on it now.  There is no perfect motorcycle and this one is no exception.  The good:  CSC's customer support is superb, fit and finish are first class (ask anyone who has seen one), if you are expecting to see junk fasteners that turn to rust you will be disappointed, the bike will run at 70 mph (about 7500 rpm) all day long, vibration is managed by the counterbalancer, I'm getting about 60 mpg, most maintenance is pretty easy to do yourself.  The bad:  it's a 250cc bike that will not accelerate like a 600cc supersport, the suspension is built down to the $4K price (CSC offers an upgraded shock, well worth the $500), the seat sucks (CSC has a replacement for that), I found the front brake to be unacceptable after a few years on my Stelvio (once again, CSC has an upgrade), adjusting the exhaust valves is a PITA the first time...after that you know what to expect and learn a trick or two.  Overall the RX3 is a lot of bike for the money.  I have done a few trips on mine and can carry all my camping gear with no problem.  In fact, the bike rides better with the extra stuff.  Although the bike will run faster I enjoy it more at 55-60 mph.  This is a highway bike with the ability to do modest off road riding.

Peter Y.

[pete roper]

Sounds like EXACTLY what I want.

Grrrrrrr!

[bad Chad]

I'm going through what I think is a temporary health issue.  Should be over in a couple months, and to reward myself I just bought a TT250 enduro!

$2k to my door, set up and ready to roll.  1 year warranty, and lots of on/off road capability, I'm excited.  Even if it only last a few years, I hope more, it will be worth the price to play!

[Semper-guzzi]

When I brought up the RX3 a year or so ago you guys gave me flak for it be China crap, now look at all the cheap Guzzista buying in lol. I'm at a toss up between this bike and the new Zero DSR. The RX3 is the safer cheaper choice. But man that zero was a blast to ride.

[jas67]

For the price of the RC3, you can buy a slightly used 2015 CB300F or CBR300R with around 1,000 miles on it, and it'll still be worth what you paid after you ride it for a little while.  It'll be quicker too.

Or, for $500 less, you can get a 2011-2014 CBR250R that has similar weight and HP specs.

And, with all three of these, you get Honda quality, and Honda dealer support.

I'm not saying that the Zongs won't be reliable, I don't know if they will or not.   The Hondas will be.

The Zongs will also likely be worth less than half the new price within a year, if you decide to sell.   The Hondas might lose a few hundred $, if any.

Just some food for thought.

Some more food for thought is that the used Ninja 300's are getting down to that price range, and they make over 40 HP.     

And, of course, Ninja 250's can be had any day of the week for $2k (for a nice example) or less.

[pyoungbl]

jas, don't overlook the fact that the RX3 comes equipped with windscreen, crash bars and hard bags.  You would have to pay more to install that stuff on your used Honda...unless you were able to score one where the PO had already made the investment and was willing to take an even worse beating. 

Another small but important point is that the Zong valves are adjusted via locknut and screw.  As I recall the Hondas are shim under bucket. 

I'll agree that Honda quality is a valid point in favor of the brand.  At the same time I'd recommend reading one of Joe Gresh's books about the Zong.  One good read is 5,000 miles at 8,000 rpm.  The book is available on Amazon and for Kindle.  You'll get a good insight to CSC's relationship with Zongchen, as well as an honest appraisal of how the 250cc bikes fared on a long trip around the western USA.

I honestly expect to take a beating when I sell my Zong...but not nearly as bad a beating as I'm taking right now selling my Stelvio!  For what the Stelvio will have cost me in depreciation I could buy two new RX3s and a TT250.

Peter Y.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

For the price of the RC3, you can buy a slightly used 2015 CB300F or CBR300R with around 1,000 miles on it, and it'll still be worth what you paid after you ride it for a little while.  It'll be quicker too.

Or, for $500 less, you can get a 2011-2014 CBR250R that has similar weight and HP specs.

And, with all three of these, you get Honda quality, and Honda dealer support.

I'm not saying that the Zongs won't be reliable, I don't know if they will or not.   The Hondas will be.

The Zongs will also likely be worth less than half the new price within a year, if you decide to sell.   The Hondas might lose a few hundred $, if any.

Just some food for thought.

Some more food for thought is that the used Ninja 300's are getting down to that price range, and they make over 40 HP.     

And, of course, Ninja 250's can be had any day of the week for $2k (for a nice example) or less.

I agree that the RC3 doesn't make a lot of sense in the face of competition from Honda and Kawasaki. However, none of the Japanese or anyone else offers a small displacement "adventure tourer" like the RX3. Even if they did, it would likely cost considerably more.