After several months of red tape, the CSC RX3 Cyclone has been approved for sale in Canada.
The RX3 Cyclone is a Zongshen-built (made in China) adventure bike that’s being brought to North America by the California Scooter Company (it’s available in other markets under other names). It’s a big step up from the air-cooled dual sports that originally came to Canada from China (Lifan, Konker, et al), coming set up with a liquid-cooled engine, touring luggage and two-year unlimited mileage warranty.
The most interesting thing about the RX3 Cyclone is CSC’s sales model. The bike will not be available in dealerships. Instead, just like in the US, Canadians will be able to buy the bike direct from the distributor, bypassing any dealer network. Basically, Canadians will pay the exact same costs as riders in the US, with a few extra fees necessary to import the bike.
In an email, CSC employee Joe Berk told us “The price is $3495 USD (plus a $65 documentation fee, a $195 setup fee, the shipping charge, a modest Canadian import fee, Canadian sales taxes, etc.). The motorcycle includes the panniers, the top case, the windshield, the engine guards, the skidplate, and all the rest (6-speed transmission, liquid cooling, OHC, counterbalancers, etc.). The tech specs will be the same as the US model (the 300-watt alternator, the handle-bar controlled accessories outlets, the 17-inch rear wheels, etc.).”
Berk says CSC is still working out the numbers on what the shipping fees, import costs, and taxes are.
You can find out many more details on the RX3 Cyclone at the CSC website here. They’ve added an accessories section, making it easier for Cyclone owners to farkle up their mini-ADV bikes. And CSC has also been busy testing these machines to show their capabilities, doing a 1,700-mile ride through Baja and a 5,000-mile ride through the Western US to prove the machines won’t break down shortly after assembly. Berk talks about these trips and the other red tape and negotiations necessary to bring the bike to North America in his book here.
[…] US pricing for the TT 250 is very good at the moment; CSC has announced an introductory price of $1,895, if buyers put $1,000 down. They say the bike will be 50-state legal by this spring, and that standard pricing will be $2,495. There is no word on whether they will bring it to Canada; that probably depends on how well the RX3 does here. […]
Thanks for all of the comments, folks. Watch the CSC blog (www.CSCMotorcycles.com; select the blog) for an announcement in the very near future about a special offer to kick off our Canadian approval. It will be available only to our Canadian buyers.
How can we purchase a CSC RX 3 Chinese motorcycle in Canada, Québec?
How can we know the exact TOTAL cost of buying the CSC Rx 3?
What I mean by the exact total cost, is the bike would be in my driveway,legally registered on my name.
Amount in Canadian money please!
Thanks
I am from Richmond , B.C. Canada and I just order one CSC RX3 today. I know the Chinese made Zongshen motorcycle are very well made . My cousins in Europe and Asia all ride them. My KTM Duke 390 is made in India , My Ducati Scrambler and Honda Grom made in Thailand and my friend Harley 750 is India made also. I have been traveling the world in last 5 years and things have changed a lot. China makes a lot of quality goods now. The CSC bikes may not be for everyone . I service all my cars ,motorcycles myself and the RX3 is a easy bike to service by yourself. If you can do a brake job on your car then you should have no problem. or find a good dealer to do the servicing.
How much the bike cost now the Canadian dollars down at .69 US?
Just to clarify, the Harley Street 750 and 500 sold in Canada and the US are made in Kansas City, Missouri. Even those that are made in India for sale in other markets are assembled from ckd (complete knock-down) kits shipped out of the US.
You might be mistaken. “On the other hand, all Street 750s and Street 500s for India, Italy, Spain, and Portugal (the only other markets at this time), will be built in Bawal, which has been expanded to a full manufacturing plant (for the Street models only) and uses parts sourced from all over the world.”
Ref: http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/11/12/where-is-it-made-2014-harley-davidson-street-750-and-street-500/
Cheers
Hello –
How did you order one without having to go to the us to pick it up?
Hello Pam – they will arrange shipping. Contact them directly for the details.
Hello Joe – do you know if these are available in Canada now in 2017?
“Hello Joe – do you know if these are available in Canada now in 2017?”
Direct contact –
http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/Articles.asp?ID=83
I have had x2 Chinese bikes. The first is a Shineray DB200B Longmarch cammo enduro that arrived in the crate from a Canadian company named Z-STAR. Company is gone but I still have the bike. Only issue with that bike so far [ 5000 kms ] is the battery croaked. The other was a KONKER KSM200 a clone of the Suzuki DR 200 that is still going strong that a army buddy of mine has now. I currently run a 2014 Honda CRF250L that ironically is ready to be picked up at the dealer for a recall. [ I LEARNED ABOUT THE RECALL ON THIS SITE NOT FROM HONDA ] I am going to snag one of these beauties [ orange of course ] once I find out what is involved and what all costs to me are. Lots of backwoods roads and trails in beautiful New Brunswick! cheers!
Bring it to the Fundy Adventure Rally!
This might be the answer (it might not)
I noticed that a Japanese Bike that cost in the US 5000 US Dollars is in Canada sold for 5400.- CDN Dollars???? So that looks like the big 4 are subsidizing the Canadian Market and are holding the canadian MSRP down artificially.
I don’t know how long they will hold that up, but thats what it is right now.
The smaller guys just cannot do this, but with by-passing the Dealership markup, it will bring the cost down for sure and now the small guy bike is again in a lower bracket than the big 4.
It is vital for them to be in a lower bracket. Lets face it! Almost nobody is willing to pay the same price for a small unknown brand, if they can have a similar bike with the Honda Badge on it.
Pagsta has also just anounced the resurection of his Bikes and maybe that will be a way to get them back to Canada.
At present I think MSRP in the US is 5grand which would be 6500 in Canadian. OUCH!!!!
But by bypassing the Dealers, it should be able to sell them very close to the 5grand mark in canadian dollars.
Only time will tell.
Maybe it is the way of the future for the smaller Bikes???
And just before everyone is ripping in to me for my comments! I am the Managing Director of W.C.Distributing, a Company that Imports and distributes Motorcycles to Canada.
So I should be against it, but it kind of makes sense!!!
There is no MSRP in the U.S. There’s only 1 price and it is the same in the U.S. and Canada. US$3,495.00. I have no regrets buying mine so far. Have about 2,500 miles on both dirt and pavement.
If anyones curious about the bike in the Ottawa/Kingston area I live just across the border in upstate NY. I have an RX3 as well as a friend of mine. Both bikes are running excellent with no issues and work very well for “adventure” use. I also own a Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX and the RX3 is just as comfortable for an 8+ hour day. I’m getting 79mph via gps as a top speed on a flat grade and I’m not a lightweight.
CSC customer service beats any dealership I’ve had experience with from my past 5 motorcycles and the tutorials and service manual that come with the bike make routine service a peice of cake from your garage if you have any mechanical skill whatsoever.
Quality of this bike is very close to Japanese and you absolutely feel you got your money’s worth when you see it in person.
If your on the fence or “lurking” and gathering information as I was keep an eye on Chinarider as we started a thread to track mileage/issues as our bikes age. One rider is at 12k miles and counting with no issues. He also has close to 70k miles on another Zongshen motorcycle. These are not Chinese “crap” motorcycles at all and will likely be remembered similar to Honda/Toyota when they broke into the US/Canada market or more recently with Hyundai and Kia.
As for the issues of dealership support or parts. CSC stocks everything and the parts are very reasonable, no issue there. I’ve been without dealer support for years and had no issues and far lower costs.
What’s typical bike shop rate?
I think I paid $85/hr last time, which would be $66/hr USD. I suspect CSC would have no problem paying $66USD/hr that is if one of these bikes did break. I read an article about a young guy who rode an early edition RX3 from Beijing to Istanbul several years ago thats roughly 10,000km with little problems. The RX3 has proven itself in China, Russia and now the USA. I’m sure it will have no problem here in Canada.
I have to say I have *never* had a “authorized dealer” do a repair or service to the same level of expectation I would have. My last experience with a full rate mechanic…..Maybe Im fussy…. but I usually like all the parts that were taken off at least re attached and tightened! plus all the new marks and scratches from shoving your ride through the shop and storage area. No thanks….I’m the only one allowed to work on my bike. I get the added advantage of “I know it will work” because I worked on it, not some unknown employee who hates their job.
as someone who has owned a small engine and bike shop i can tell you , the distributors will not pay you a fair rate for repair work and you have to wait for months to get paid
TK4 . . . you obviously do not like the entire business approach and have no intention of purchasing one so why continue to be a troll? You’ve stated your case as you see best and that’s great but you’re beating a dead horse here. People, me being one, will purchase the bike. I purchased a new Honda 8 years ago that was a lemon from the get go and had terrible dealer assistance so I’m on the other side of the aisle on this one. No dealer to screw me over is fine with me on an inexpensive bike. . . . sucked on a 14,600.00 bike though. Appreciate your thoughts regardless – just think it’s time to move on. If it doesnt work out I will be able to say I’ve bought both Japanese and Chinese junk and been burnt . . just a lot cheap this time !
PS . . . I dont expect that to be the case though.
dpl96, I don’t consider myself a troll- just an advocate for responsible sales, service and marketing.
With the dollar exchange, no opportunity to inspect let alone road test prior to purchase, the need for self importing and maintenance/warranty there are concerns that must be addressed.
Joe Berk has done an admirable job of presenting his case, so please go ahead and buy one – let us all know how it works out.
perhaps the day will come where CSC opens a dedicated CSC owned and operated “dealership” in Canada – I hope the brand grows to the point the market demands it. . . . . . but in the meantime I think they are being open about what you get for your purchase. As I said b4 I paid for “dealership” service on my last new bike and got zip for it. I am a wrench turner and welcome the chance to bypass the dealer markup and get a lesser expensive bike and avoid the dealer runaround and lies. . sorry but we just disagree on this but I think can agree that no matter what you ride – just RIDE!
dpl96: p.s., if you want trolling just go to gee-tee-eh motorcycle dot com.
Triumph, Ducati, KTM, and the Piaggio Group have all found a way to make it work in Canada without having much more than regional representation so why can’t CSC ?
Why should they? The market will speak, yeay or nay.
I agree McGravey . . . The market, as in you and me the consumer and not U.S., will decide which is only proper.
What a lively comments section – this article is getting a lot of mileage, well done.
Joe Berk – it’s very refreshing to see someone representing the business side of the equation willing to chime in with candid comments. You obviously have thick skin and I applaud your willingness to take on the trolls.
I like the design and business model – it’s an alternative to the status quo.
FWIW, the item that would presently stop me from purchasing one of your motorcycles is the final cost.
I find this unfortunate since the initial price is attractive enough to warrant serious consideration.
The low Canadian dollar plus additional fees bring the price point much too close to established alternatives such as the Honda CRF250L.
Don’t get me wrong – I understand you are not in business to lose money.
You have a responsibility to ensure your company remains viable – customers will depend on you for parts once they place their trust in you by purcashing your product.
I hope to see your product at the Montreal motorcycle show in the spring, and I hope to see these bikes out there on the road and trails next season.
This may be the single best example of a Chinese brand establishing itself within the marketplace.
I wonder if there’s a bobber or cafe racer somewhere in the future for your company – something to offer the hipster generation?
Best Regards,
Kirk
Viking, I’m with you in hoping to see the bike at the Salon de la Moto next spring (next spring has never been closer !). I’m not with you, however, in comparing the Cyclone to the CRF250L. The Honda is purely a trail bike and would need thousands more to be turned into an ADV bike, at which point it still would not be as comfortable as the Zongshen, at least if the web and other commenters are to be believed. IMO, and FWIW I think it’s biggest competition price-wise might turn out to be the KLR650, once exchange rate, transport, and paperwork are factored in. New KLRs are always available at deep discounts. All that being said, I’m still curious about this bike. Maybe it’s time to consider the additional savings to be had, especially here in Québec, by operating a 250 vs my 750, especially when the 250 can de everything the bigger bike can.
People seem very eager to pay up for a piece of unknown product. While the posts on sites like ADVrider as supposedly positive, the mood can change quickly.
The Chinese manufacturing climate is also unstable. Factory closings happen frequently and consistent quality control standards are elusive. That you received acceptable quality and timely delivery in the first batch is not a guarantee that it continues.
As for the bike itself it will be interesting to see how it weathers over a couple years of freeze thaw cycles. Corrosion may be an issue and other issues may comes up. It happens frequently and not with just inexpensive Chinese bikes.
I hope the company is successful and the buyers remain happy, but I wouldn’t take a chance on one this early in the life of the product.
Why not just get a bike to Harris and / or Zac, if possible in the same shape and form a buying customer would, and let them try it out? Or any of the Canadian motorcycle publications? Of course, in most areas of the country now we’ve run out of weather for six months or so…..
Or organize a group ride somewhere in a more temperate climate for some Canadian journalists ?
You mean like a press launch or something?
Exactimundo
Ah, here we have it; if you don’t pander to the press with nice perks and freebies, the press beat on you. Thankfully the most esteemed ethical Editor ‘Arris is not the one lobbying in such a craven fashion.
Really though, they need a press launch with all this coverage?
“Ah, here we have it; if you don’t pander to the press with nice perks and freebies, the press beat on you.”
-I’m not the press, just a guy trying to point out the flaws in their system. As a law guy, surely you can appreciate that ? I could care less about perks and freebies – I want to know how good the bike is and whether CSC can back it up.
“Really though, they need a press launch with all this coverage?”
-They don’t think so, but it could go a long way to improving their credibility as a serious player?
Uh oh, does this mean that we can’t ask for one as a long termer? 🙂
I think you should, it certainly wouldn’t hurt CSC’s Canadian credibility ?
And if you wanted to have it shipped to my house for initial assembly, inspection, and a short term riding impression that would be okay too… 🙂
interesting
Unfortunately with the low Canadian dollar, I think most buyers will tend to pay a little extra for a Japanese bike than go for the RX3. If the dollar ever goes to par again, it becomes a lot more attractive. I think CSC is going to have a tough sell in the Canadian market right now. Which is unfortunate.
The fact that Joe Bark has present on this comment thread says something good. I think he’ll look after his customers.
I’d consider buying an RX3 in the spring if the dollar rebounds, a set of knobby tires and I’d be all set for some back woods exploring. With all the reviews I’ve seen so far I think it’s a decent bike. Lack of dealers doesn’t worry me at all.
Although my “established” dealership experience is consistently mediocre, I guess I’m not much of an early adopter because I’d want to see 10 years of consistent presence and service before I’d consider it. Seems like every Chinese importer to date has managed only a few years before disappearing.
Until then my $2200 used motorcycle will do just fine.
“…I’d want to see 10 years of consistent presence and service …”
Yup, you qualify as “not much of an early adopter”. 🙂
Boy, that lit up a couple guys like a bunch of lady fingers. As much as I liked the idea and entry level price point when I first saw it as the Minsk, (to get more people into it) I won’t be paying 3/4 of the the price for 3/4 of a motorcycle (quality of some parts, weight, performance, you get what you pay for etc)
But I have no problem with the no middleman idea. My last 2 euro bikes were bought with no dealer within 150kms and when I did have a warranty issue (one common problem, one not) both shipped me the part and I put it on. Convenient, and wouldn’t have happened with any of the big 4. History has shown me the chances are only about 50% that any dealer warranty work would be done right by the shop in the first place, or they bugger something else up while its there and not take responsibility for it.
I’ve had similar experience with a chinese generator I’ve got, (option of sending me the part, or take it to a repair centre) and a couple other electronic devices that didn’t quite pass the quality testing. In those cases there was no ‘take or send it to a authorized dealer’, instead they sent me a new one, didn’t ask for the old one back, or gave me back 1/2 of its cost. (still worked but one feature didn’t)
BMW/Asian built quality control? Try a 450 BMW. It was likely their first attempt, but its the crudest most agricultural feeling thing I’ve ridden in decades and couldn’t wait to give them back. (tried 2 cause I though something was wrong with the first one, good power though) Broken cheap drive chains and clutch failures? Made me wonder how that cam chain was going to hold up.
Both my RX3’s run perfectly with only minor adjustments needed to the chain and clutch cable. Just finished a 1325 mile trip from Houston Texas, through Louisiana, through the Ouachita Mountains Arkansas, Oklahoma, and back to Houston Texas with not even a flat tire. I was expecting something and tried to prepare for anything but it turns out these little bikes are tough. They took everything we could throw at em and asked for more. Fully loaded with camping gear, tools, spare tubes, cloths, and food we averaged 65 mpg at 70 mph.I am a skeptical person by nature but have learned to lower my expectations with things that come from China. I find myself now measuring my other bikes (BMW and Triumph) using the RX3 as the yardstick.
Joe Berk you sell a great little adventure bike and great customer service.
The current Manufacturer to Dealer to Customer model works and works well for the most part but maybe it’s time for a shake up a la Uber.
Rattled some cages there Mr Berk. Well done.
And here we have it….
Just read some of the responses from this Joe Berk Guy.
A typical American knowing it all better than a regular dumb canadian. This guys does not want to give good service to canadians. This guys wants the canadians money and nothing else.
Does your boss know that you are saying things like that to canadians?
I think your Boss is Steve Seidler.
Maybe he could respond instead of you.
Hopefully he has better customer service manners
Steve, your statements are sweeping, misleading, and inaccurate. You don’t have to take my word on our customer service; spend a few minutes online on ADVRider, ChinaRiders, and other sites and see what customers say. You have a right to post whatever you wish. I will point out that it is wrong when it is wrong. If your default response to having your comments identified as being incorrect by labeling me as a “typical American who does not want to give good service to Canadians,” knock yourself out. I’m not at all worried about losing you as a customer. You, sir, are an internet troll. We’ve never sold bikes to trolls. Not because we choose not to, but because trolls never actually buy anything. They do what you do.
I just posted links to two YouTube videos. One is by Joe Gresh, the columnist who writes the Cranked column for Motorcyclist magazine. He rode the entire 5000 miles with us on the Western America Adventure Ride. He discusses many of the issues raised in the comments posted here. He doesn’t work for us. The other is one I assembled from the CSC Baja Inaugural Run we rode last April with 14 other customers (and me). We literally took the bikes as soon as they arrived and rode 1700 miles through Baja. A big part of our approach to market is to include adventure rides. Some last a day or two, some are international rides that last a week. We are doing Baja again the third week in March. If you buy an RX3, you’re got your ticket in to ride with us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2lkyFScBt4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HJ5M2owAzQ
Additional information related to the CSC path to market, the bike, the recent 5000-mile Western America Adventure Ride, and the CSC Inaugural Baja ride, I would ask that you consider this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2lkyFScBt4
It was assembled by Joe Gresh, a columnist for Motorcyclist magazine. In it, he talks about the bike, it’s strong points and weak points, and the path to market. He rode with us for the entire 5000-mile ride. He doesn’t work for us.
This video is one I put together for our Baja ride in April of this year, a trip we and 14 folks who bought the bike took immediately after the bikes arrived in the US:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HJ5M2owAzQ
We are doing the Baja ride again the third week of March, 2016. If you buy an RX3 from us, you are invited.
A big part of our approach to market is the adventure riding experience, and that includes a number of company rides. We have several planned for the rest of this year and next year. Some are one-day rides, some are international week-long rides.
Guys, Joe Berk from CSC here. A few comments in response to the comments above:
If you need a dealer, this bike is not for you. You can take issue with that until the cows come home, but that is our path to market and it’s not going to change. It’s working well here. If it doesn’t work for you, go to Brand X. When you buy from us, you won’t have the nutty setup fees, the rapacious freight costs, the $1000 valve adjustments, the delays in parts availability, and all the rest of the pleasures that accompany a dealer visit. We’ve estimated that if we sold the bike through dealers in the US, the price would be somewhere north of $6K USD, and we’re not going to do that. Incidentally, that’s what most of the Japanese 250 motorcycle go out the door for here in the US, they don’t have the accessories this bike has, and many of them are not even made in Japan anymore (but that’s another story). If you absolutely have to have to dealer, we’re not your cup of tea. We’re okay with that.
The warranty is two years, unlimited mileage. The first year covers parts and labor, the second year is parts only.
Most of our buyers in the US do their own work. A few of our customers don’t want to do their own work. In that case, you can find an independent shop in your area, and we’ll address the warranty repair costs directly with them. That is working well here in the US. We have to arrange this with your shop first. As I said, it’s working well here. If it’s not something you feel comfortable with, you should take a pass on this bike.
We provide a free service manual and we have extensive online maintenance tutorials. You can see these by visiting http://www.CSCMotorcycles.com.
We stock all parts. Literally, all parts. You can read comments from keyboard trolls who make things up, but if they say we do not have parts, they are wrong.
If you have any more questions, please contact us directly.
And what happens when the customer does his own warranty repairs, does them wrong, has another problem (or worse suffers physical injury) and sues your *ss off ?
And what are your assurances that the warranty repairs being claimed are legitimate ?
Too many holes in your thinking, IMHO.
Set up authourized warranty service centres – if for no other reason than to protect yourself (?)
“As I said, it’s working well here. If it’s not something you feel comfortable with, you should take a pass on this bike.” is not the right answer…
The bike is not right for you, TK. No problem here.
The bike might be fine – your responses are not. Too bad…..
And you didn’t answer any of my concerns.
I have had the opportunity to work over 25 years in powersports retail, then another ten for three of the four Japanese importers along with doing some consulting for another smaller importer (Kymco).
They all play by the consumer protection rules because its to their own long term benefit.
Telling me ‘just don’t buy it’ is not only thoughtless its dangerous (for you and the customer)….
Your background is interesting and impressive, TK. Dealers and those with a dealership background generally don’t like our approach. We abide by consumer protection rules, too. If you tell me specifically what your concerns are, I will do my best to answer them.
I already presented them:
“And what happens when the customer does his own warranty repairs, does them wrong, has another problem (or worse suffers physical injury) and sues your *ss off ?
And what are your assurances that the warranty repairs being claimed are legitimate ?”
TK, thanks for stating your questions again. I must have missed them the first time you asked them.
I suppose if a customer did a repair incorrectly, they would have to do it over again. I don’t think that would be any different than if a dealer did a repair incorrectly. I don’t have any experience with any of our customers doing a repair incorrectly; the RX3 is an easy bike to maintain. I have lots of personal experience with dealers doing repairs incorrectly on other motorcycles I have owned.
As far as a warranty repair being legitimate, we trust our customers. If they tell us they need a part for a warranty action, we accept that and immediately send the part to them. That is explained in the Joe Gresh video. We have not had an issue with warranty fraud. That can be a problem between dealers and manufacturers, but we have not experienced it.
” I suppose if a customer did a repair incorrectly, they would have to do it over again. I don’t think that would be any different than if a dealer did a repair incorrectly.”
-I repeat (again), what if they do it wrong, hurt themselves and turn around and sue you ? Legally,I think you may be on pretty shaky ground.
” We have not had an issue with warranty fraud. ”
– How would you know ?
Please do not misunderstand, I have not had the opportunity to inspect or ride your product, and therefore will not comment on build quality or long term performance BUT its not a laptop or a cellphone.
Your business model may be seriously flawed, and not to your advantage.
By setting up authorized service centres, with quick access to parts and a follow through warranty process you will be protecting yourself and your customers.
What would happen if you had to institute a Transport Canada or NHTSA recall, how could you handle that ?
I’m not a lawyer, but may I suggest you talk to one….
Completely agree, I am on the market for a ADV.
After doing my research.
Other brands selling small displacement or to big.
I don’t lying to myself.
I weights 330 lbs and I am 6.3 ft.
A big adventure motorcycle is not bad. It is not insurable price wise.
To small, you cannot do any long trip.
Manufacturer knows it.
They do not have any offer in mid displacement and or not proper physical dimensions.
So what know…
CSC offer what I need for a product I am looking for.
I will more than happy to give my money to a Chinese motorcycle company!
I’ve been waiting for this since I saw the introduction of them. Once I have some cash I’ll be ordering one of these. As to no dealer to service them… who cares. In all of my dealings with service department in both Automotive dealers and Motorcycle dealers, none of them have ever fixed any of my issues without some kind of mistake being made. Unfortunately mechanics aren’t being educated anymore, mechanics are retiring… the new era are parts replacers. No dealer support? I welcome it. If you need a mechanic to work on one of these bikes, look for a private mechanic one with no dealer affilitation. If that mechanic turns his nose down at your choice of bike and refuses to work on it then he deserves to go under.
I totally agree. Most of the service and repair interactions I’ve had a dealerships were disappointing and now I avoid going to the dealer unless I have no other choice. Sure, it’s nice to (possibly) get parts immediately, but it’s usually at a high premium. I’m willing to pay a 25% premium over the cost of getting something online, but usually they charge more than double. Last time I bought a slightly used bike from a dealer, I had to tell them about the outstanding recall (they didn’t know) and the bike came back with broken fairing tabs. The mechanic explained “this is the first one I’ve worked on” despite them being a dealer for the brand.
The only thing that concerns me about the CSC warranty is that first year of “parts and labor.” If most owners do their own work, then they are providing their labor for free? As with all these types of bikes, you’ll probably take a big hit on resale. I wonder what a used Konker goes for these days? If you plan on keeping it for ten years, assuming you can get or make parts, you may do ok.
Parts availability at a dealership is also a joke. Its no wonder so many people order bike parts online, i can get them more accurately on line, and on occassion more quickly too. Nothing about the csc ownership experience scares me.
I agree bv I took my Triumph Tiger Explorer XC in for three issues that cropped up at or before 3000 miles. Very noisy top end (can be heard over the wind and exhaust at 70 mph), small oil leak at the front of the engine case, and a drip of clutch fluid that ran down the pain onto the Triumph badge ruining the paint. I get a call 2 weeks later that my bike is ready for pickup. They never touched the bike and said that there where no issues with it that they could see. LMAO! thats what they call service. I called CSC when my RX3 arrived with a broken clutch lever and a few missing bolts for the windshield and trunk, the parts where sent next day and at my doorstep in 3 days. Now thats what I call service. I will not be taking my Triumph back to the no-service department again. I will do my own service rather than take the F$*%ing from the so called dealer network.
I remember my experience with a similar product – the Sachs Madass that was written up here on CMG. Supposedly set up and PDI=ed by a dealer, I got a half mile down the road before it sputtered to a halt. Quickly figured out the gas cap wasn’t venting so I stuck it in my pocket and finally got home. Once there, it took me an hour going over every nut and bolt on the POS (including tightening the steering head) before I felt I could ride it. During my tenure, the turn signals stopped working and the alternator failed.
Sure – “just take it to a dealer.” Where said dealer will be so impressed with your choice of motorcycle and motive for doing so that he’ll put you right to the front of the line and make every effort to solve your problems.
Do not walk away from dealings like this – run. How do they possibly figure this will work when the people least likely to do their own repairs and machine setup are the most likely to buy them?
Bondo, this motorcycle is nothing at all like the Sachs Madass.
This one’s worked out real good too NOT),even with a Canadian distributor and dealer network:
https://canadamotoguide.com/2012/05/16/cleveland-cyclewerks-update/
We are not Cleveland Cycle Werks, TK.
I did not in any way suggest you were.
Its Chinese. You use it til it breaks, then throw it in the land fill and buy a new one. Repeat as necessary
to keep their economy going. Dollarama would be good place for parts and warranty work, they have
shipments coming every day.
Chinese companies will build to your specs – go for cheap and that’s what they’ll provide.
Ask companies like BMW about how many of their components are sourced in China BUT how closely they monitor quality assurance.
??
Me as a Dealer! If you bring me that bike for warranty and tell me to bill them directly, I would have to send you home! They will not pay my shoprate and I will have to work for minimum Wage and than possibly wait forever to maybe get paid?
No Dealer in his right mind is going to allow that.
2 Year Warranty? Hell they can give me 10 Years warranty and I still don’t buy it without the service and warranty backup in Canada.
Authorized parts, warranty and service centres is the only REAL answer, and what is CSC going to bring to the table for them ?
Well….?
And who is going to be responsible in Canada for recalls and the likes? It seems fishy to me and just another way for an US Company to by-pass the Canadian safety net for consumers and making more money
Steve, we don’t work through dealers for precisely the reasons you mention. If you spent two minutes researching this online or by calling us rather than posting without having the facts, you would understand what we are doing. Or, you can continue to post without any real knowledge.
we don’t work through dealers for precisely the reasons you mention????? But is it not you who said to ” you can find an independent shop in your area ”
Little confusing here. The way I see it….. You biy a machine from Zongshen for about 2 grand or less, ship a container full of them (about 60 pieces) to the US for about 4grand shipping cost and sell them to end customers for a nice margin of about 1300 a piece. On top you charge Documentation fee???and Setup Fee?????? and now you will also charge an import fee and I am sure an overpriced shipping charge for a nice total margin of probably about 1800 a piece.
Now you will not pay for Warranty labour (since you prefer the customer does his own work) and I am sure if Transport Canada finds something wrong and insists on a recall, you wash your hands of it.
Not a clean way to do business, but it sure is the American way.
Rape customers and run. And how long until you declare bancrupt and reopen under a new Name the same day like some of your Friends in the US already did?
Say what you want and accuse me of not knowing waht I say.
Check the num,bers I just gave you and you will see that I actually know way more than you could hope for and this is a shitty deal for us Canadians.
On a sidenote: CANADIANS $3,760 (including setup charges and doc fee) is at present $4,890 in canadian dollars.
On top they want to charge import fees, shipping and god knows what more.
$5,149.- gets you a 2016 XT 250 FROM A DEALER with warranty at the Dealership
$5,199.- gets you a Kawasaki KLX250S FROM A DEALER with warranty at the Dealership
$4,999.- gets you a Suzuki DR200S FROM A DEALERSHIP with warranty at the Dealership
Now Joe…. Go ahead and call me again “unknowledgable” or “not knowing the facts”
I DO KNOW THE FACTS IN CANADA a lot better than a californian surfer dude!
Steve, I’ll do ask you ask : You are unknowledgeable. You do not know the facts.
If you can purchase these motorcycles for “2 grand or less” and you know of a way that we can make $1300 on each of them, we might have an opening for you in our Purchasing Department. And that $1800 margin…wow, where have you been? We could use a man like you!
My advice to you, Steve, is this Don’t buy the bike. Did you somehow infer you were being forced to buy it?
” Don’t buy the bike ” ?
If people like Steve and I aren’t your intended customers, who is ?
To be fair. Those prices for the xt and klx are not an apples and apples comparison. Sure the XT250 is $5149, but you have to add $695pdi and $195 documentation fees depending on who you purchase from. So the 4890 RX3 is compared to a $6039 dollar XT250, which still doesn’t have a fairing, is only a six speed, no luggage rack etc. I didn’t factor in tax because the tax is a wash both bikes would be taxed. The only unknown is the delivery and import fee. And of those 3 bikes I believe only the XT is actually Japanese made. The Klx and dr I do believe are Thai built, I know the KLX is because I have one. As for the warranty service, not a big deal… one year of warranty at a dealer that will try everything in its power to deny warranty claims… I know I’ve had it happen multiple times, both automotive and motorcycle.
Sorry meant to say the xt250 is only a 5 speed.
Exactly.
?
Parts, service, warranty – how’s that going to work ?
Authorized service centres ?
It ain’t worth buying if it breaks and you can’t get it repaired.
According to CSC if you have issues you can’t fix yourself, take it to someone who can and they bill CSC for the repair under warranty.
Those are my questions – take it to who, will they have speedy access to the necessary parts to perform the repairs, and how will they get paid ?
If you have to wait 2 months to get your bike back because ‘its complicated’ then what’s the point ?