Super, super busy, and running full bore….that’s how I would describe the Zongshen plant these days. The fact is that worldwide demand is putting a heavy load on our good friends in Chongqing, but they are doing a fantastic job in keeping up. Our latest shipment of new RX3s just cleared Customs and the new bikes will be in the plant next week. Based on popular demand, we’ve brought the blue RX3 that you all love back, and we’re keeping our signature orange, pearlescent white, and silver colors. It’s all good, and if you are thinking about buying an RX3, there’s no time like the present if you’re ready to pull the trigger. Why not get your oar in the water now, and ride with us in Baja next year! The Baja ride slots fill up quickly, and it’s first come, first served.
Speaking of pulling the trigger, I had a good visit with my custom gunsmith buddy TJ yesterday. TJ tightened up the sights on my hardball .45 auto and we had a good conversation touching on many topics. I’m a big fan of the 1911 handgun (I have a .45 and a 9mm 1911), and I’m going to get out to the range later today to put TJ’s handiwork through its paces. TJ is a world-class custom gun builder (you can see some of his work here). I’ve been around guns my entire life, and I can tell you that as custom gunsmiths go, there are none better.
I’ve been hitting the range more often in the last few weeks than I usually do and I think I’m getting better with my .22 rifle. My good buddy Greg and I shot in a metallic silhouette match last Sunday. You may recall that I shot in a silhouette match a month ago (the first time I had done so in 40 years) and I finished dead last in the scoped rifle class. Last Sunday I finished second in that same class. Don’t be too impressed, though. My score only went from an 11 to a 14 (and that’s out of 60 targets). While that lifted me into second place, the guy who finished first (Tony T, who also happens to be the California state metallic silhouette champ) scored a lofty 44. That’s mighty sweet shooting and I know I’ll never be that good, but it’s fun to shoot alongside guys like Tony.
You know, this motorcycling thing of ours is an interesting hobby that attracts interesting people. It’s always amazed me how closely our interests align, and that was brought out once again on the recent Baja ride. Talk to a rider, and it’s likely you’re also talking to a shooter, a photographer, a person who’s interested in watches, and a person who just likes to get out and live life. You get guys on both sides of the aisle politically (there’s no unanimity of opinion there), but on common interests (the fun stuff), it’s startling how much our interests have in common.
I’ve got some travel coming up…I’ll be on the east coast for a bit next week, and then I’m headed up to the Columbia River Gorge for an article I’m doing for Motorcycle Classics later this month. And speaking of Motorcycle Classics, hey, you’ll want to pick up the latest issue of that fine magazine. They have my story and photos on Devils Tower, Wyoming (you’ll recall we rode there on our RX3s during the 5000-mile Western America Adventure Ride), and they have another absolutely outstanding article on the ’60’s Triumph TT Special motorcycles. The Triumph TT Specials were as cool a motorcycle as ever existed, and I thought the MC story was absolutely outstanding.
We sure have had a lot of interesting things happen recently. Being named as one of the world’s top 100 motorcycle blogs was cool, as was seeing the RX3 being named as one of the top 10 values in all of motorcycling. Our company rides are continuing to grow in popularity. The market’s response to the RX3 and the TT250 has surprised all of us…and our compliments go to you for that (you know a good thing when you see it). We’ve got much more coming up in 2017, too…the RZ3, the Café Racer, more interesting rides, and hey, who knows? Well, we do…but we’re spilling the beans on everything just yet! Keep an eye on the CSC blog and you’ll see it here first!
SG250 San Gabriel Cafe Racer
TT250 Enduro
RX1E Electric Motorcycle