Top FIVE Modifications to Your CSC RX3 for Adventure Riding

How to prepare your RX3 Adventure for ADV riding.

Many CSC RX3 Adventure owners also have other larger motorcycles. Many have intentionally downsized to the lighter and smaller RX3 for better control when riding. After riding their RX3 Adventure, many of these owners find that they just have more fun riding the comparatively smaller 250cc motorcycle.

Another group of CSC RX3 Adventure owners are new to dual-sport riding. They have ridden street bikes, but always wanted to explore beyond the end of the pavement. They have jealously watched movies and videos of riders experiencing fantastic scenery and routes that are just not accessible with street bikes – BUT they are not willing to spend $10,000 or more for another motorcycle.

The CSC RX3 Adventure is designed for both groups of riders.

The CSC RX3 Adventure has an economical, fuel-injected 250cc motor paired with a 6-speed transmission. It comes STANDARD with a great windshield, full instrumentation, and a real ADV-capable gas tank that provides a range of over 200 miles. In addition, the stock RX3 Adventure has rear panniers, top case, and the mounting racks that would cost over $500 to add to any other dual-sport motorcycle. For $4,195.00 delivered, you will NOT find a better ADV package anywhere.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t make the RX3 Adventure even better for extended ADV touring. The CSC RX3 is the perfect motorcycle to customize to match your riding style and the requirements of your chosen route.

Here are the Top Five modifications recommended for serious adventure riding:

1. Hand guards. Adventure riding means rough roads and trails. Sooner or later you are going to stall in the rocks, bog down in sand, or skid in mud. Eventually your ADV motorcycle is going to end up on its side. Accessory hand guards are required equipment for ADV riding. Without hand guards, you are going to snap off brake or clutch levers. You may smash your fingers on trees or rocks. You might even damage the brake master cylinder or bend the handlebars.

CSC RX3 Adventure with hand guards, Double Take mirrors, skid plate, Shinko knobbies

Hand guards will also help keep your hands warmer in the cold and/or rain. If you are planning a trip during cold weather or know you will be facing daily rain – like a ride to Alaska – then you should ALSO add hand warmers! CSC stocks both hand guards and hand warmers. Make sure you install the full-coverage hand guards that loop around the levers and attach to the ends of the handlebars for the most protection.

Also consider installing Double Take mirrors. These mirrors have nearly indestructible resin frames. The mounting bases are larger and absorb abuse on the trail better than the metal mirrors. And WHEN you fall, the Double Take mirrors absorb the blows and flex to the side without breaking.

2. Heavier knobby tires. The stock RX3 is equipped with 80/20 dual-sport tires that are fine on dry gravel roads but lose traction in the rough stuff. You need to swap these tires for heavy knobbies like the Shinko 804/805 series tires. These DOT-approved knobbies will dramatically improve the off-road capabilities of your RX3 Adventure.

You can keep your stock 80/20 tires for other riding. But you will be impressed with how comfortable the knobby tires roll down the highway and you might never switch back!

3. Full aluminum skid plate. The stock RX3 is equipped with a small steel bash plate that covers the front of the lower frame. CSC has designed a full aluminum skid plate that extends higher, longer and wider providing full coverage to the motor.

As shown in the video, installing the full aluminum skid plate requires cutting off the bracket where the stock steel plate is attached. If this step exceeds your skill or comfort level, ask for the full skid plate to be installed before you take delivery of your new RX3. Any local motorcycle shop can also perform this installation, and a full tutorial is available at CSCMotorcycles.com.

4. Lower gearing. Top end speed is not an issue when you are adventure riding on rougher roads. The RX3 Adventure has no problem maintaining highway speeds with the 250cc fuel-injected motor. But, if you are going to be riding a loaded motorcycle in loose rocks, sand, or mud you will need lower gearing. You need to be able to let the motor chug along in rough sections. Without lower gearing, you are likely to stall just when the riding is toughest. Without lower gearing you will be forced to slip the clutch and rev the motor to prevent stalling at the walking pace required to negotiate steep or loose routes.

CSC stocks a 13-tooth front sprocket which lowers the gear ratio. Swapping this sprocket is not difficult. It is possible to switch back and forth to the 14-tooth stock sprocket for road trips later. The same chain works for both sprockets, although you will need to tighten the chain after installing the smaller sprocket.

5. Whatever it takes to make your RX3 “fit” you! The RX3 is a great adventure motorcycle for a wide range of people – tall or short, heavier or lighter. But you will be the most comfortable and safest on and off the road if your RX3 fits YOU! If you have a short inseam, have the rear suspension lowering link installed. If you are tall, check out the accessory Seat Concepts saddle. In both cases, have someone help you adjust the handlebars so your hands reach the grips with your eyes closed. You may also want to add handlebar risers if you like to ride standing off-road.

Another suggestion that doesn’t change your position but increases your control off-road is to remove the rubber inserts from the foot pegs. Most other dual-sport bikes are equipped with small, cheap foot pegs. The RX3 has nice big foot pegs with rubber inserts that isolate road vibrations. In the rocks and mud, you don’t want your feet slipping so pop off the rubber inserts – but save them for road riding later.

6. Bonus Tip: remove the hard side cases and add soft touring panniers. The CSC RX3 Adventure is a fantastic value since it includes the molded rear panniers and mounting racks. But if your ADV riding includes some really demanding off-road riding, you may prefer to swap the hard cases for soft luggage. When – not IF – you tip over in the rocks the soft luggage won’t break or be punctured. In addition, you eliminate the chance of pinching your ankle under hard cases with the full weight of the motorcycle.

CSC RX3 Adventure with Wolfman Enduro Saddlebags

The hard cases on the RX3 Adventure can be removed in a few minutes. The stock racks will support most brands of soft panniers. Or you can remove the rear racks as well in less than 30 minutes. (A few of the mounting bolts for the racks need to be re-installed for the rear grab rails.) Without the rear racks you can strap on “enduro” panniers that simply drape over the seat and secure to the lower passenger foot peg braces. With the side hard cases and racks removed, the CSC RX3 Adventure is both lighter and narrower for better performance off-road.

Whatever you choose for luggage, make a list of everything you plan to carry. Then eliminate anything you don’t think you will need EVERY day – except tools and rain gear. You will enjoy yourself more if the bike isn’t overloaded! Carry a change of clothes and a few warmer layers. Carry enough food for two days and stop to get more when you refuel. Before you leave on your first long trip, pack up and take an overnight ride. When you get home, eliminate everything you don’t really need. Less gear makes ADV riding more enjoyable!