Voge DS900X

[2112]

As the title suggests, this regards the Voge DS900X. I got chatting away today, as you do, to a feller who's got one and rates it very highly. He'd just come back from a three week tour to Greece (the bike's on a 25 plate and it's got over 6,000 miles on already, still looks like new) and the bike never missed a beat in some crazy tempretures. Apparently it handles well, is very fuel efficient at an average of 55mpg and it's quite nippy. He'd had a number of big adventure bikes (Africa Twin, GS1200/GS1250) and rates this as easily on par with them. They have EVERYTHING as standard including cruise control, heated grips & seat, forward camera, adjustable suspension (which he rates as excellent), quick shifter, engine bars, spotlights, etc, etc. It's the first time I've had a good look at one and I was very impressed with the quality; it's easily as well put together as my Transalp for reference. So, just a thought but it's perhaps time to factor Voge into the equation when it comes around to new bike time? Here's a picture of one I found on't internerd -

[The Doctor 46]

Well worth a look I guess £10,000 and all those extras means nothing more to spent unless you really want to. I noticed in the Specs though, it doesn't come with Chinese tyres but Pirelli's? I'll have a good look at one if I see one, lets face it, the engine comes from the same manufacturer as the 800 BMW's and other manufactures. 

[Upt North]

They're a good looking bike with good reviews at a good price.
Would you buy one though? don't know.....the Chinese element is off putting but then all bikes are either made there or full of bits from there.
Upt.

[2112]

5 year ago, I would definitely not have bought a Chinese made bike. Now, they seem to have achieved suitable quality and, time will tell, reliability. They come with quite long warranties too, the Voge is 4 years, quite impressive.

[crump]

The Chinese are making some great bikes at affordable prices atm. I'm hearing mixed reports of spares availability. We will see about longterm reliability, although CFMoto give a 4 year warranty I think. Obviously trade in can be an issue with Chinese bikes but that doesn't bother me as I tend ro keep my bikes for eons.

[Upt North]

I'm no Chinese vehicle expert but I did read somewhere that certain 4 wheeled contrivances were impossible to insure in the UK due to zero parts availability. How good Voge or others will be with parts supply is an open question at this time.
I presume waiting for a piece of Voge bodywork may not be the overnight from Belgium experience that Honda offer.
It'd be great to hear from owners of the more obscure brands.
Upt.

[Pete O Tube]

I took a CFMkto 800MT out for an hour while my Hornet was in for its first service.
I was interested in how it compared to my 800RE.

The answer was, favourably.

It felt a little bulkier but once moving the handling was the equal of the RE.
Comfort - seat and ride quality - felt noticeably better.
Brakes were equally as good in bite and power.
Engine wise, there was less vibes through the 'bars but more through the pegs at 70mph.
Grunt wise, it was just about the equal of the RE at the bottom end and midrange, possibly not as much go at the top end despite what the figures say.
It was less refined at lower engine speeds.
All in all though it was pretty good, quality of finish is equal to anything else from Japan.

[nigel s]

I would not touch Chinese bikes, not because they are bad , good , or otherwise.

Any Chinese firm exporting is closely monitored and controlled by the state. NOT like when the Japanese started to take over the motorcycle market from the brits, by simply making a better more reliable bike.
We have seen it before ( think steel ) where they dump cheaper below cost products to put the competition out of business, then they have a near monopoly and control the market.

Also seen it personally with boats. 15/20 ish years ago fiberglass strand/mat was made in the USA and in the EU, then the Chinese started selling it much cheaper. Now they are pretty much the sole supplier and can churn out any old rubbish, knowing we have little choice .
 They bought Sunseeker ( a huge name in boats ) , not to get a toe hold in boats. But as a lever to convince the local authorities to allow them to buy land/ buildings/ get planning for said . They then dumped Sunseeker and kept the rest.

Not just the UK, Google  " Belt and Road Initiative " .

Just be aware is all I am saying 

[crump]

I admire your stand Nigel but I'm afraid the stable doors and horses come to mind. Pretty much everything we buy, certainly electrical and mechanical will have at least some component made in China.
It would take a massive change in the Wests buying habits to have any effect.

[Brockett]

Eventually, when everything is made in China, the rest of the world will have no income and the people will become too poor to buy anything from China and then their economy will collapse. Happened to the UK, then USA, Germany and Japan. Simplistic and exagerated? yes of course,  but it is how it works.

[Upt North]

Don't worry Brockett, I don't like to see you frettin.
Only last night I saw an advertisement where I could borrow enough to get completely out of debt.....

[2112]

We got a flyer through the door today offering a 'guaranteed' credit card with a 69.9% APR ! That'll tot up quick if you miss a payment.

[Upt North]

Was it pre authorised?
 

[nigel s]

Not buying Chinese is an easy decision for me, even leaving my previous post aside . The Mags are all over them saying they are " nearly " as good as Japanese stuff..........'nuff said. Lightly used two year old comparative jap costs the same , and would be where my money goes 
I also don't trust road testers when they avoid any long term reliability/ spares issue , understandably from their view , they have to play nice these days.
I hold out hope though, Hondas CB 1000 and 350 being a response in the right direction, cheap basic reliable bikes for all.

[crump]

Tbf most of the journalists/youtube reviewers I've read have mentioned possible longterm reliability/spares supply. While I understand your reticence about Chinese bikes, I feel Japan and European manufacturers have become complacent, too many over priced bikes that not many want or can afford to buy. Ridiculous search for performance over usability.

[Ridaz]

I'm a big fan of the Kove 450 Rally... and live close enough to this place to pop in often

https://www.motorradkonnection.com/pages/kove-motorcycles-uk?srsltid=AfmBOorj_Ji6RcRV4B-liCYyyPUelX32404XVHxqSThCw8RZKiGT_8ZL

You never know...

[2112]

That Kove 800 Rally is light - 176kg !