CSC RX3 reliability reality check

RX3 Update!

Hello everyone, it's me again and I’m back again with a quick Reuben Report this time around. It’s quite ironic that I just released an in-depth video ranking this motorcycle in comparison to other bikes on various qualities (reliability, convenience, performance, etc.). Regarding reliability, despite the much shorter maintenance intervals in comparison to other brands, I still ranked the RX3 along with other CSC models quite high on the list. They earned their high ranking due to their ease of maintenance rather than frequency. Sure, valve adjustments must be done more frequently but because they are DYI friendly, ownership of this bike from a cost perspective is even more advantageous. However, I ran into a huge reality check today.

After my first day of work (Monday) I noticed the bike wasn’t reaching its intended top speed at wide open throttle, and I also experienced that the bike cut off unexpectedly after coming to a stop. Both irregularities are tell-tale signs of a valve clearance issue. I parked the bike once I got home and waited until the next day (Tuesday) before I started to work on it. I got the bike torn down to get access to the valves and I attempt to remove the valve cover bolts. Unfortunately, one of the valve cover bolt heads become rounded out due to it being made of a quite soft metal material. It’s extremely frustrating as well because it’s the bolt on the right side of the bike where any attempt to extract the bolt with alternative tools is extremely difficult due to clearance issues. Can’t fit a socket ratchet and can’t fit locking vice grip pliers to remove the bolt.

The reality check is this, it is true doing maintenance on these bikes is considered “easy” in comparison to other bikes but because so many corners were cut with connectors, fasteners, and other fittings (such as my fuel hose assembly T-fitting), you very likely are going to run into issues like this and not be able to depend on your bike when you really need it. For now, my bike must sit in the garage until the weekend where I’ll have more time to come up with a game plan to remove those bolts. In the meantime, I’ll be forced to waste over $100 in gas money driving my truck to work.

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