I rode my TT 250 to the CSC plant early today and picked up a new RX4. Steve asked me to ride the RX4, make observations, and write about the new bike on the ExhaustNotes and CSC blogs. I’ll be preparing several blogs on the RX4; this is the first of many.
I rode my favorite Azusa Canyon, East Fork Road, Glendora Mountain Road, and Glendora Ridge Road route. It’s one of my favorite rides, it’s just under 50 miles of the best riding on the planet, and I knew it would give me a good chance to wring out the bike’s handling. The RX4’s handling was my biggest concern going into this review, as the RX4 I first rode in China two years ago left a bad taste. That early bike was porky and it handled poorly.
First significant observation: The RX4’s handling is phenomenal. It’s really, really good. I’ll get to that in more detail, but I wanted to mention that first.
Next, let me tackle the weight issue. That was another one of my earlier concerns, but not anymore. The RX3 has a published weight of 386 lbs. The RX4 has a published weight of 450 lbs. I never put much stock in any published weight figures, because I know how the manufacturers calculate weight. They do it the same way we did it in the defense industry: Mass properties analysis. Some engineering weenie tucked away in a cubicle looks at the dimensions of every part, calculates each part’s volume, identifies the part’s material and its density, and puts it all together in a spreadsheet to calculate total weight. It’s a scientific guess. They’re always low compared to reality.
Me? I go by what the bike feels like and how it handles. Sometimes if there’s a scale handy I’ll do something old-fashioned and actually weigh the thing. My KLR 650, for example, had a published weight of something in the low-400-lb range. We had a scale when I worked at Layne, and I rode the KLR onto it one night and saw that my Kawasaki actually tipped the scales at well over 560 lbs. So much for published weights.
So, the RX4 is heavier than the RX3. No, I didn’t have a scale available, so I didn’t weigh it today and I don’t know if that 450 lb number is accurate or not. The weight concerned me big time in China two years ago, and then again when I first sat on the new RX4 last week. Last week, it was mostly because the bike felt heavy when I tipped it off the sidestand. Last week, the RX4 had the CSC tall seat on it. And, the RX4 has a 19-inch front wheel (the RX3 has an 18-inch front wheel). The bigger wheel and the tall seat make the bike taller, and that 19-inch front wheel means the bike leans at a perceptibly steeper angle on the sidestand, so tipping it to vertical (off the sidestand) made for a noticeable increase in effort compared to my RX3. First order of business was to have the boys put the stock seat on the new RX4 (it takes the same seat as the RX3). That alone made it easier to get off the sidestand. But yeah, it’s heavier than the RX3. Is it a problem? Read on, my friends.
It was on to my ride, where I would soon learn if the RX4’s added weight adversely impacts handling.
Let me get to the good stuff. I was soon on Highway 39 and in the twisties. The bottom line? The bike handles phenomenally well. It feels more planted than the RX3 and handled the twisties just fine. Actually, it was great. The bike handles better than the RX3, and the RX3 is a sweet handling ride.
I wanted to stop for photos on 39 (I have a few favorite photo op spots), but truth be told, I was having too much fun riding the thing. The RX4 sounds a lot like the RX3, but the exhaust note (love that phrase) is a bit deeper and a bit louder. Not objectionably so, but it’s noticeable.
I stopped for a few photos on the East Fork Road, and then I was on Glendora Mountain Road. I had the road to myself and it was a glorious morning. Cool, crisp, California mountain air. Life is good.
Glendora Moutain Road is all tight uphill twisties. This stretch climbs sharply and it literally has no straights; it’s curve city all the way to the top. To cut to the chase here, it was on this stretch that I could feel the RX4’s huge improvement over the RX3. In the lower rev ranges, the RX4 has more grunt than the RX3, but it’s not a dramatic difference. It just has more oomph in the 3500-5000 rpm range.
Then I noticed a couple of things: I was getting through this stretch way faster than I would on my RX3, and I wasn’t rowing up and down through the gears like I would on my RX3. I just left the RX4 in 3rd and throttled up and down as needed. The bike wasn’t in its power band yet (and it’s not broken in yet), but it liked being in 3rd powering up into the San Gabriels. Then I noticed something else: This bike handles. It’s rock solid and it doesn’t seem to have any lean angle limits. Oh, I know it does and at some point something would have to scrape, but let me tell you, I was surprised at how good I must have looked carving my way up there this morning. I kind of wished somebody had been there to YouTube the thing. I was cooking. I’m not normally a guy who cooks, but I sure was cooking this morning.
The run east on Glendora Ridge Road was similarly exciting (I mean that in a good way). From the time I left Highway 39, all the way up on Glendora Mountain Road, and then all the way to Mt. Baldy Village on Glendora Ridge Road, I had the road to myself. I didn’t see a single other car or motorcycle. That doesn’t happen too often. Like I said, it was a glorious morning.
A quick check on my GPS shows the RX4 speedo to have the characteristic Zongshen 10-12% optimism built in. The speedo reads faster than you are actually going, just like it does on my RX3. I don’t know why these guys won’t correct this. I tried. Hey, it is what it is.
More impressions: The peg to seat distance felt very slightly cramped for me with the stock seat. It wasn’t a big deal. I guess I need to find something negative to say to be like one of the magazine guys, and so far, this and the speedo error are it. I have the tall seat on my RX3 (which is a better deal from a comfort perspective). I may have Steve put the tall seat back on the RX4. There may be an opportunity down the road for CSC to offer a footpeg lowering kit. But it’s not a deal breaker. I guess I’d say the RX4 felt about like my Triumph Tiger used to feel.
A lot of guys want to know about the brakes. They’re a significant step up from the RX3’s stock brakes. The RX4 has dual disks up front. I have the large diameter aftermarket front brake on my RX3, and the RX4 subjectively felt maybe a little bit better than that. On that subject, though, I will tell you that I think the whole issue of the RX3 standard front brake has been overblown. I made a comment about the magazine guys having to find something to bitch about to prove they are objective and not unduly influenced by advertising dollars. On the RX3 it was the front brake. I never quite got that, though. I had a Harley Softail and a KLR 650 before I got my RX3, and the stock RX3 front brake was better than either of those bikes.
I like the headlight on the RX4. I have no idea how good it is at night (that will come later); my comment is based on the looks of the thing. The way it works it has a trace light around the headlight (that’s the daytime light). You can either switch the headlight on, or leave the lights on auto and when it gets dark, the lights will come on automatically. When I first saw this headlight in China, I thought it looked too much like BMW’s GS headlight design, but it’s grown on me. You can bet some Internet weenie will make a snarky comment about Zongshen copying BMW. Throw ’em a bone, boys. They gotta bitch about something.
The bike I’m riding has a pearlescent metalflake orange and silver paint theme. It’s beautiful. I don’t know what colors CSC will specify for their production order, but I hope this one makes it to our shores. It’s way nicer, I think, than the standard RX3 orange. I know that orange bikes are faster, too. It’s a win-win.
My RX4 has the optional Tourfella aluminum bags and top case. I rode with these through the Andes in Colombia (I like being able to say that). The Tourfella luggage capacity is amazing. They are huge, though, and I know on an RX3 I can feel the difference in handling between the stock bags and the Tourfella bags (on an RX3, the stock bags are faster). I didn’t have an RX4 with stock bags to make a similar comparison. It’s a tough question; I don’t what I would do on a new RX4. I do like those big aluminum boxes, though.
So, my first impression is that the RX4 is an awesome motorcycle. The handling is great. It just seems to find its way through the corners and the added power makes the bike feel more planted and more stable, if that makes sense to you. I would say it’s the bike’s strongest point.
Steve told me the RX4 is going to sell for $5,895. That’s $2,000 more than an RX3. Is it worth it? In my opinion, yes (assuming you’ve got the shekels). But I will also say this: The RX3 is one hell of a motorcycle, and I like the idea of a 250 for serious adventure touring in less developed countries. We’re a freeway country. In other parts of the world, freeways are rare or non-existent. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve done a lot of freeway miles on my RX3 and it’s quite capable in that environment. But the RX4 would probably be better on the freeway. I say that having ridden no freeways on the RX4. Yet. All in good time.
There’s a lot more coming on this bike, folks. I’m just getting started. Top end, high speed long distance touring, fuel economy, freeway handling, and more…I’ll get into all of that. I’ve got a lot going on back at the ranch right now, but I may see a quick two-day ride through Baja on this bike. Hey, I gotta probe for weaknesses, or this wouldn’t be a complete report.
One last thing…somebody asked the spoke diameter. Before I forget, Joey measured that for me before my ride this morning. It’s 3.5mm up front, and 4.0mm in the rear.
Need I say it? Stay tuned…
Glad to see it tested well. Looking forward to more updates.
Sounds like a fun bike at a great price. Keep us posted on the longer-term view!
Let me know I’ll jog down to Baja with you 🙂
Hey Joe,
I’m interested in the controls. I want to know if they have improved the instrument cluster so that you can see if your turn signal is on, if your high beam is on, if your fuel is low, etc. Does the turn signal switch cancel more smoothly than the RX3? Please take some photos of the bike before your next ride if you can, and please include a close-up of the instrument cluster. Thanks.
Will do, Amigo. First impressions are that the instrument cluster is identical to the RX3.
Hope CSC offers a lowering link because I might need one.
They typically do, Dan.
Hopefully you get the actual weight my RX3 is at 412 at the scale where I work. Ido have bigger tires and add Lil stuff
Orlando, I will do what I can in the next week or so to find a scale around here. When I do that, I’ll make a second visit with my RX3 and get its weight, too. Thanks for your inputs, Amigo. Our best to Velma. We miss riding with you guys.
But I love it I’ll probably won’t change it !
Thanks for the first impression. Mine? Gimme it already, more so if it is actually going to be under $6000. If you are interested in a 2 day Baja run, I’d happily fly down and roll with you. Seriously.
I am curious your thoughts on the tall seat v standard seat. I am planning on rolling down with my DR350SE and getting the RX4 when it becomes available.
Thanks for your comments, Brian. I think I will probably ask CSC to put the tall seat back on the RX4 I am testing. I’ll do that later next week. I have the tall seat on my RX3 and it is a significant improvement. I wanted to start with the standard seat to get a feel for what a stock RX4 is like.
I’m getting a lot of offers from folks who want to ride along with me in Baja. I’ll probably go by myself initially as it’s a lot easier to travel solo. CSC may set up a group Baja ride again at some point in the future; follow the CSC blog and they will keep you posted on any plans to do so.
At 6’2″ 220. I love that bike in a 450. In my opinion, a large segment of the North American market is leaning toward the 450 and around 800cc in the middle weight area. I ride a lot with an older crowd, and these damn touring bikes are just getting bigger and bigger and they cost over $20K. Did you know the new Gold Wing has an air bag and reverse?
I also agree with Joe, the 250 will be with us forever.
Triumph Tom
72 yrs old
Does the adjustable windscreen provide better protection than the fixed screen on the RX3?
That was one of my concerns before I rode the bike, Russell, because the RX3 windshield is one of the best there is. That’s not just my opinion; others who ride the RX3 feel the same way. So far, in only one position (and recognizing that I don’t have any freeway miles on the RX4 yet), the RX4 windshield seems to be just as good. This is one of the areas I will explore in more detail on future rides. Thanks for asking.
Thanks Joe and all CSC buddies. I bought RX3 last year (all because of you) after I stopped owning and riding a bike for almost 20 years! I love reading your articles and thanks for writing such wonderful and good comments about RX3.
May be I can start dreaming about RX4 now or have a trip to California just for RX4! 🙂
Hi Joe,
Just finished enjoying 5K@8K and started China. Last April I bought a new TT250 and enjoyed it so much that in July I bought a new RX3 and it has become my “go to” bike. So much so that I sold my 2016 BMW R1200R and am selling the TT as well.
Regarding published weights, I weighed both bikes on a certified scale. The TT advertised at 309 dry weighed 300 with 2 gallons of gas and a small Cortech tail bag. So it’s lighter than expected. The RX3 advertised at 385 dry weighed 420 with 2 1/2 gallons of gas and the 19” front wheel which seems in line. So you’re right, you can’t believe published weights.
I’ve read and felt your initial enthusiasm about the RX4’s improved handling and power but you being a devout RX3 fan I’d be curious, down the road, what you miss or feel is better on the RX3. I’ve given up 125 hp for 25 hp and having more fun, so it’s not about power, though the RX3 could use a touch more. I do like its light weight not only in terms of handling, but also the ease of pushing it in and out of the garage. So I look forward to reading more about the RX4 to get a more well rounded picture of the bike.
You keep writing and I’ll keep reading. Ride fast, ride safe.
Mel
Mel, thanks very much. Your comments about the RX3 are pretty much in line with my feelings about that bike. I think it is a watershed motorcycle. I have both bikes parked in my garage right now and each time I look at the two of them I start wondering: Which one do I like best? Truth be told, I don’t know. One of the things I’m going to be doing on the blog is a detailed comparison of both machines, with macro photos of each to explain the comparisons. The instruments will be easy (they’re identical as near as I can tell). My RX3 is dirty, it’s one of the very first ones so the orange has faded to a pale yellow (I kind of like that look), and I’ve got decals all over the thing from the many trips we’ve taken together. The RX4 is immaculate and I love its metalflake orange pearl paint. I’ve got a busy weekend (my daughter is getting married tomorrow), so more RX4 stuff won’t go on the blog until Monday or so.
Hey Joe,
I’m a college student in Massachusetts, and been looking at getting new bike for awhile now. I currently have a 1970 honda cb100 which is TINY but handles great, and a 2000 xr200 (baja kit, road legal). The XR is bigger but doesn’t keep up with traffic like I need. I came across an Rx3 in my area on craigslist, seemed great, and did a whole bunch of research on it, and the tt250. I was a little disappointed in the 250cc motor. I heard Zongshen made an Rx4 and was looking into that and found out CSC was already working on it! The Rx4, being a 450, seems like it checks all the boxes: cheap, got enough power, and shiny, but I got a couple of quetions regarding quality. Are the engine guards strong enough to withstand a drop? Are there frame sliders? How tough are the rims? How much weight can the luggage guides hold?
Thanks,
Jake C
Jake, the RX4 won’t be available for a few more months; CSC is taking it through the US EPA/CARB/DOT certification process now.
I haven’t dropped the RX4 on its engine guards and I have no plans to do so. I have seen many RX3s dropped on their guards with no damage.
There are no frame sliders.
With regard to the rims, that’s a tough question to answer (hit any pot hole fast enough on any bike and you’ll bend a rim). I can tell you the boys rode the RX4s across China and they seemed to be okay.
On the luggage weight capacity, I don’t have that statistic yet.
Keep an eye on the blog; much of this information will be posted as it becomes available.
Jake, a number of RX3 riders have loved/abused the bikes and the guards have held up well. For the ones that crunched the guards, they were happily surprised at the replacement cost. Check the prices on CSC’s site.
You may be able to mount some sliders yourself. I’ve never had them on a bike.
Regards,
Jay in Milpitas
Hey Joe, great initial review on the RX4! Ditto on the RX3 as I too have one in the stable along side it’s little cousin, the San Gabriel.
Question on Steve’s $5,895 price point. Will it be with the ABS option?
I think so, Gary, but you should check with CSC to confirm.
I’m glad to see the RX4 finally making it’s appearance. I’ll be getting one, not to replace my RX3, just to add to my corral. I’ll never get rid of my RX3 I’ll run it into the ground first. It easily survived all 6 legs of the WABDR and everything else I throw at it. I’m more interested in the RX4 for commuting and general city riding with occasional “hey where does that road go” type of riding. Can’t beat the price although it will have a little more competition in the middle class weight. But as with others I’ll be anxiously waiting to see what CSC has to say about the bike after extensive riding. And I look forward to the motorcycle world bashing “yet another Chinese bike” hitting our shores. Good lord I can hear the keyboards warming up as I write this. No matters I’ll have one and if the Orange hits the shores that will be my choice, so it will match my beloved RX3. Once they start getting in the hands of regular people like myself that’s when the true road tested opinions will surface. But until then I’ll sock my money away until the RX4 goes through emissions testing and anxiously wait to see them appear on the CSC website.
It would be great to do a CSC Saturday ride in the local mountains with you on the RX4. Can you make that happen?
I’ll float it by Steve, Marty. Thanks for the suggestion.