I noticed my good buddy and Facebook friend John’s post about his decision to purchase the RX3 instead of the new RX4 on the Facebook CSC page and I thought it was well done. Both the RX3 and the RX4 are great motorcycles and I enjoyed reading John’s analysis, so I wrote to John and asked if I could post it here on ExNotes. John said yes (thanks much, Amigo), so here it is.
RX3 versus RX4
By John Franklin
I recently bought a new RX3, and yes the RX4 was available at the time. I have gotten more than one pm asking me why I didn’t go with the RX4. It’s a very valid question. My last ride was a 2016 KLR650, so the RX4 is much closer in power. While that is true, it’s only part of the picture. I paid $5700 for my KLR, the close to another $3500 for givi luggage, panniers, crash bars, skid plate, tires, USB power, heated grips, progressive front suspension, better seat, folding gearshift, handguards, GPS and on and on. Yes I rode it; I spent more time off road than on road. I did several two week long adventures. Then I had back surgery.
In considering a new bike, post back surgery, I was really looking at what I could do without hurting myself, and what I really needed, as well as what I could spend. I was out of work for a year, and kinda tight on funds. My list was fairly firm on what I had to have. I wanted a lighter bike to start with. I needed luggage, hard panniers and a top box big enough for my helmet. Crash bars, skid plate, and real hand guards were also a non-negotiable must. Heated grips were also high up there.
With that firmly established, I started looking. I found used bikes and older bikes. A random link in a article I was reading led me to the RX3. I ignored it; then I began to see more and more mentions of the RX3. So I really dug in. The chinariders forum was a great resource. I have ridden bikes all over the world and ridden all kinds of makes, so I was not initially put off by the non USA mainstream brand.
Once I decided that it was a valid option and I started looking, here is how it broke down.
The 2019 RX3 with heated grips, handguards, taller top box, Wolfman tank bag, USB power outlet, led headlight upgrade and extra oil filters was $4602.95. That’s what I paid CSC. I had to pay SC sales tax, SC property tax and the registration fee. Grand total was $5100.63. That is what it cost me for everything. All fees, taxes and bribes.
A RX4 starts at $4995, add the $400 shipping fee, handguards $109, luggage $490, tank bag $90, heated grips $109, skid plate $160, crash bars not available for RX4 and oil filters $50 we are at $6403. SC sales tax, property tax and tag fee would put it right at $7200. A difference of $2100. And at the $7000 range I could find a good used BMW 650GS, on which I could get out of the sales tax and not being new, the property tax would be a joke. Plus I would have to create a set of crash bars (which was actually a plus, because I love fun stuff like that).
I admit, I have put more than a little into the RX3 after deciding I like it. Bar risers, better tires, better chain, 13T front sprocket, folding shift lever, GPS mount… You get the idea. But I would have done the same to anything I decided to keep and ride. It honestly came down to two things for me. Value of the purchase (not price in and of itself), and weight.
CSC has been great, and it is a wonderful company, even if the service guy hates replying to emails, but he reads them and will talk for hours on the phone. I don’t regret it. Hopefully in a couple of years I will be able to ride a larger, taller bike again, but this thing was a good purchase.
If you’d like to see more on the RX4, and comparisons of the RX4 to the RX3 and the KLR 650, please check out our ExNotes RX4 page! And if you’d like to know more about the RX3 and the RX4, mosey on over to the CSC Motorcycles page. Hey, one more thing…if you’d like to read about real world adventures on the RX3 (I’m talking good stuff here, folks, like riding across China, Colombia, the US, and Mexico), you should buy any or all of the books listed below!
To me the rx3 is a better deal they cruise around the same speed the RX4 is way heavyweight and has a little more grunt but for the price I stick to the 3 and the 4 can’t travel at slow speed on a single track roads gear to high lower the gear make bike slower back to the same specs of the rx3
I think they are both great bikes, Orlando.
Well I’m still gonna get a RX4 after I hit 50,000 miles on my China blue were a little more heavy now jaja I’ll need that extra grunt . my son’s gonna get the rx3 and gonna have to buy another 3 for my other son
Hey Joe,
I have found that the RX3 does pretty much everything that I need in a bike. It’s been reliable, it’s very comfortable to ride long distance, and it’s nimble. Riding in groups of larger bikes it has to work hard to keep up, but a few curves and I’m right back with them. The bike can carry quite a bit of a load as well, in addition to my 250lbs. Overall, I prefer to take it rather than my KLR650 for longer trips. And finally, the biggie: It’s light enough that I can always have it with me. I throw it on the back of my motorhome when I travel in the summers flat-towing my Jeep around the country, or I can throw it directly onto the back of the Jeep if I’m going to more remote areas. I find that I will attempt trails that I wouldn’t be as comfortable trying on the KLR due to the lighter weight, lower seat height, and the more predictable and smoother power curve of the RX3. It’s made life quite an adventure.
Rob Morel did a Baby Butt (1000 miles in one day) with a couple of guys on bigger bikes and he made the same comment about keeping up. Me? I just choose my friends more carefully.
When all was said and done Joe, at the end of 20hrs, 1000 + miles they said I came in 15-20 minutes behind them. They kept thinking once they pulled away from me and I didnt make gas stops when they did ,that I had broke down or given up and gone home. But the little RX3 was going down the 80 mph highway happily at 65 mph 7/8 throttle pedal to the metal. One of my better investments in motorcycles the RX3 has been. Runs as good today with 17500 miles on it as it did when new. I did put in the 300cc kit 2 years ago. Now I would just get the Rx4 and not hassle with the kit.
Seat time ….priceless
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Rob. I remember when you did that. It is quite the accomplishment.
I have both and really like the extra “punch” I get from the RX4. Especially for freeway riding. It feels 10% bigger and 10% heavier, but has 80% more power. If I spent my time only on back country roads, the RX3 would be fine. With hills, headwinds and highways I really prefer my RX4. I remember that picture if you in China testing the early RX4. Ever since, I needed one. It is great.
Well said, Chris (always good to hear from you). I remember that day in China well, too. It is always a hoot visiting with the guys in Chongqing.