The usual caveats about Chinese bikes apply here, of course. I’m 85-percent sure that quality is no longer an issue for China-made motorcycles. But depending on who you are and how you see the world, it may be that moral or geopolitical concerns prevent you from seriously considering a motorcycle made in the People’s Republic of China.
I don’t want to go picking any fights, but I’d count myself among those who wouldn’t spend his own money on the Voge DS900X adventure-tourer. Yet, I’ll also admit that I am soooo tempted by this thing. Chinese bikes seem to be constantly grabbing my attention these days. Maybe it’s the whole “forbidden fruit” thing. Probably a lot of it has to do with the price. But also, a lot of Chinese bikes ─ like this DS900X ─ just look cool.
Even better is the fact that, according to the reviews I’ve collated, the DS900X is a durable, comfortable, practical, and thoroughly enjoyable motorcycle. Oh, how I wish I could abandon my scruples.
Your reviewers for this review roundup are: Dan Trent of AutoTrader Bikes, Luke Brackenberry of VisorDown, Kate Ralph of Usernamekate, and FunkyFrankee (I’m guessing that’s not his real name) from Switzerland Austria-based 1000ps.com.
SOME NUMBERS
Starting price: £8,999
Engine: 895cc liquid-cooled inline twin
Power: 96.5 hp at 8250 rpm
Torque: 91 Nm at 6250 rpm
Seat height: 825 mm
Fuel capacity: 17 liters
Weight: 220 kg (dry weight)
SOME CONTEXT
Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to the correct way to say “Voge.” Kate goes with a pronunciation that rhymes with the first part of DogeCoin ─ Elon Musk’s favorite cryptocurrency. Whereas Luke seems to suggest that it’s a word that rhymes with “vogue.” Personally, I’d like it if it was pronounced “Vo-gay,” like in the song “That’s Just My Baby Doge” (I sing that to my 1-year-old daughter on an almost daily basis).
However you say it, Voge is the in-house premium brand of Loncin, the massive Chinese manufacturer that provides engines for BMW’s F 900 R, F 900 XR, F 800 GS, F 900 GS, and F 900 GS Adventure. Voge is new to the UK market but has been around for a while in a few European countries. In the UK, Voge has already made a positive impression with its 525 DSX, which won all sorts of praise from reviewers earlier this year.
And, obviously, the company is hardly a novice when it comes to this motorcycle thing. It’s been making BMW engines for almost 20 years. The modern F-series powerplants that it manufactures are just some of the 3 million motorcycle engines that Loncin makes every year.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
As I said at the top, I think the DS900X looks cool. But I’ll admit that it’s not necessarily distinctive. The bike looks a little as if it were designed by AI. You can see styling influences from Triumph and Ducati, and a whole lot of BMW.
“The looks do little more than conform to class norms,” observes Dan. “[But] they at least align with what buyers seem to like on bikes of this type.”
Crashbars and hard luggage come standard. A 21-inch front wheel adds to an aesthetic of this being something you’d use to travel around the world. With the possible exception of some switchgear, it all looks and feels high-quality and durable, according to the reviewers.
“The Voge stands out for its use of high-quality components in key areas,” says Frankee. “A blend of reputable brands and technological advancements demonstrates Voge’s commitment to offering a competitive motorcycle that excels in both performance and safety.”
That quote sounds a little salesy (I’m chalking it up to translation awkwardness), but aligns with what everyone else has said: Voge isn’t half-assing this effort.
Fully fueled, and with luggage adorned, the DS900X probably weighs in excess of 240 kg (about 530 lbs), but no one offered complaints about moving the bike around. Throw a leg over its 825mm seat (32.4 inches), and the riding position is upright and comfortable, even for less-than-tall riders like Kate and Luke.
ENGINE
We’ve already established that Voge’s parent company makes BMW powerplants. The 895cc parallel twin engine that drives the DS900X is identical in terms of compression ratio, bore, and stroke to the 895cc parallel twin engine that drives the BMW F 900 GS. Does that mean that it is, in fact, the same engine? Well… the short answer is yes. The longer answer is: mostly.
The GS boasts moderately more horsepower, and its electronics give it a different characteristic.
Though, not hugely different. As with the GS (and the Suzuki V-Strom 800, and, in fact, most parallel-twin adventure bikes), you get a 270° firing order, which gives the bike a torquey, V-twin feel. You can adjust that feel with four different riding modes: Sport, Road, Rain, and Enduro. Those modes also impact the intensity of the bike’s traction control and ABS systems.
Overall, reaction to the DS900X is positive, with most reviewers reporting a smooth, torquey power delivery that suits both enthusiastic, twisty riding and long hauls on the highway. That said, depending on the specific riding mode being used and the conditions, some riders experienced surging from the throttle. Most often it was experienced when riding in Sport mode at slow speeds ─ eg, a steady 20 mph.
“It’s a bit jack-in-the-boxy,” says Kate. “But, honestly, I’ve been on worse bikes… (and) it’s not an engine characteristic that goes all through the rev range… It wouldn’t put me off buying this bike.”
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO RIDE
Despite its 21-inch front wheel, all the reviewers praised the DS900X’s ability in corners. Strong acceleration and strong braking ensure riders are able to get the most out of twisty roads. Well, within the context of an adventure bike.
“It’s not to be hurried, but then you wouldn’t expect that of a bike of this type,” says Dan. “And you can still cover ground at a decent lick if the mood takes you.”
When it comes to covering the boring ground between where you are and where you want to ride, the DS900X is seemingly well-equipped there, too. Part of the reason for that is that, with its heated grips and heated seat, it is notably comfortable.
“Motorway riding is wonderful. It’s been a joy,” says Kate, observing that the cruise control works particularly well.
The bike is well-balanced and planted, also making it a good choice for urban work ─ just make sure you remove the hard cases before filtering through traffic. As Luke points out, the surefootedness of the bike makes them easy to forget.
BELLS AND WHISTLES
The spec on this bike is insane. Kate points out that a Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro or BMW F 900 GS with the same level of accessories would cost in excess of £17,000.
“And that’s probably before you’ve even looked at adding the aluminum hard luggage,” she says.
In addition to that hard luggage, on the Voge you get crash bars, a bash plate, hand guards, a center stand, LED lighting, fog lights that double as cornering lights, two USB charging ports (old-school and the modern USB-C), a 12v charging port, an up-and-down quickshifter, and a high-definition dashcam. All standard! Brakes are by Brembo, the adjustable suspension is KYB, and the tubeless tires are Pirelli Scorpion II.
“It’s not a Chinese tire,” Kate observes. “They’ve put some proper rubber on it. They’re not messin’.”
They are not. Also standard is a suite of electronic gizmos and rider aids: keyless start, cruise control, heated grips, heated seat, tire pressure monitoring, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, blindspot assist (you get flashing lights on the dash when something moves up next to you), rear proximity warning (the hazard and brake lights flash if someone is tailgating you), and, of course, the aforementioned traction control, ABS, and riding modes.
OK, a lot of this stuff may be beaming your personal information straight to Communist Party headquarters, but, you’ve got to admit: this is an impressive offering.
Lastly, keeping track of everything is easy via the DS900X’s 7-inch TFT screen, which offers all of the information you could ever want. I’m inclined to put another Big Brother joke in there, but I’ve used my quota.
CRITICISMS
In addition to minor and inconsistent gripes about surging at low speeds, the riders had a few criticisms. Most issues were related to the bike’s switchgear. The many, many buttons and switches are intuitive but perhaps not as durable as other bits of the bike.
“One thing that’s bugging me is the indicator switch,” says Luke. “It feels like a wobbly tooth.”
Kate and Frankee agreed on the indicator switch, with the latter adding a few more qualms:
“The ‘VOGE’ logo is a simple rectangular adhesive foil,” he points out. “Despite the keyless ride feature, you still need the physical key to unlock the fuel tank, which must be removed from the keyless key fob. Additionally, the passenger footrests are positioned in a way that makes it challenging to use the main stand. “
Dan, meanwhile, feels that Voge is being a little tightfisted for a company that’s just entering the UK market, only offering a two-year warranty on its bikes. That’s in line with what established manufacturers offer, but those manufacturers are, you know, established.
“Given it’s trying to get a foothold in the market you might have expected Voge to offer a longer than average warranty as a selling point,” Dan says.
RIDER VERDICTS
Dan Trent: “We can’t yet vouch for what it’ll be like to live with but first impressions indicate Voge has done a good job… and if the reliability stands up, the DS900X could serve as a real warning shot for what the Chinese motorcycle industry is now capable of.”
Luke Brackenberry: “What’s going for the Voge is: amazing spec, great ride and finish quality (indicator switch aside), and the real ace being that proven engine that is almost the same as that found in 900cc BMWs… [But] how well will this bike age and what will the residual values be like after a few years?”
Kate Ralph: “This bike is mega value. Seriously… On the motorway, it did feel like I was riding a GS… The star qualities of this bike are: 1) How comfy it is; and 2) How well it handles… I personally think this bike is a bit of a showstopper.”
FunkyFrankee: “The Voge DS900X is a likable motorcycle that offers great value without causing the rider to worry about the engine’s durability… On the other hand, those who prioritize perfection, extensive dealer support, and are bothered by minor imperfections may find the Voge less appealing.”
MY TAKE
I’d be just a little concerned about any brand that’s trying to enter the UK market right now. Worldwide, it’s a tough time for the powersports industry, and that’s acutely true in His Majesty’s United Kingdom. Dozens of motorcycle dealerships have gone under in the past year, and the economic outlook is not great.
That could play into the hands of a brand offering such an incredible bike for such a low price. Or it could mean that consumers aren’t willing to gamble on a brand that could end up leaving the market in a year or two.
But Loncin are not amateurs. If anyone’s going to succeed ─ and stay ─ in a challenging market, there’s no reason that it shouldn’t be them. Especially when they are selling a bike like the DS900X.
There’s no question this is an impressive motorcycle. It looks good, it rides well, and it is absolutely dripping with bling. As Luke points out, it’s hard to imagine that Voge has an accessories catalog for this bike; all the good stuff is already there. And it’s being offered for roughly £3,000 less than the starting price of a no-frills BMW F 900 GS ─ which has (mostly) the same engine.
Indeed, if the DS900X is the kind of bike you’re looking for, you’d be a fool to not consider it seriously.
But then, if you are seriously considering this motorcycle, there are other serious things to consider: human rights; or geopolitics, and the question of how easy it will be to get parts amid a physical or economic (trade) war. I personally wouldn’t buy this motorcycle, but I’d totally understand someone who did. In fact, I think I’d be a little jealous of them.
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