Living with a… Voge DS900X (Final report)

Amid generally gloomy times in the motorcycle trade mid-size adventure bikes like this Voge DS900X continue to buck the trend, with sales up a tad on this time last year and equalling those of the naked bikes and scooters also accounting for the bulk of the UK bike market. Meaning it’s a good time for this Chinese brand to be establishing itself, the DS900X having already impressed for its BMW-derived engine, quality componentry, generous specification and incredible starting price of just over £9,000. The fact this gets you a modern-looking adventure bike with all the features you could wish for – hardcase aluminium luggage included – is nothing short of astonishing. As an unknown quantity Voge needs to prove it’s got more about it than just affordability, though, so I’m going to run the DS900X through a winter of commuting over the moors from my Yorkshire home to Auto Trader’s Manchester offices to see if really is as tough as it looks.

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Month 1 – The great unknown Month 2 – The fog is lifting Month 3 – Winter wonder Month 4 – Voge versus CF Moto Month 5 – Meet your maker

Mid-life crisis newbie biker 18 months into riding and still trying to figure out what kind of bikes I like; not generally as keen on adventure bikes as some of the others I’ve tried but, with a winter commute looming, the idea of a bit of weather protection and all-round toughness suddenly looks rather more tempting!

Dan says: “If you are in the market for a bike like this choosing an unknown quantity like Voge still looks a leap of faith, no matter how tempting the price”

If you’re staring and asking “A what, now?” check out my previous review for the full story. Short version being Voge is one of a number of Chinese bike brands hitting the scene, its credibility helped by a long-standing engine partnership with BMW for whom it builds the motors for the German brand’s mid-size two-cylinder bikes. Including the BMW F 900 GS from which this DS900X takes what I’ll (tactfully) describe as its inspiration, and a version of the same 895cc parallel twin along with a selection of quality finishing kit from the likes of KYB for suspension, Brembo for the brakes, Pirelli for the tyres and more. That it does this with an incredible standard specification including heated grips/seat, quickshifter, tubeless wire wheels, keyless start, blind spot warnings, a centre stand, a phone-enabled TFT instrument cluster AND a full set of luggage is nothing short of incredible. If conforming to adventure bike aesthetic norms it’s a handsome looking thing as well, and I stand by my original view you could park this up alongside big-name equivalents like the Honda XL750 Transalp, Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE and even that BMW F 900 GS and, with logos removed, it wouldn’t obviously stand out as the cheapo Chinese alternative. Which is intended as a compliment. My first ride on it at the launch event suggested it’s been put together properly as well, with decent performance, predictable handling and an impressive level of fit and finish. All for half the price of the BMW optioned up to the same level. Which is all well and good. But if you are in the market for a bike like this choosing an unknown quantity like Voge still looks a leap of faith, no matter how tempting the price. Enter yours truly with four months of hard riding through the depths of winter to see if the DS900X really stands comparison with its establishment rivals and can live up to the worst my commute and other riding can throw at it. To that end my BMW GS owning pal is already licking his lips in anticipation of some winter adventures like the ride round the Lake District we did in January when I had a Honda Transalp in on test. At least with the Voge’s panniers I’ll be better equipped for that. First impressions, in the meantime, look promising. Stripped of the luggage it looks a little leaner, meaner and better for filtering through traffic, and while the weather is unseasonably mild at the time of writing I get the feeling I’ll be making the most of the heated saddle and grips in due course To those ends I’ve already been enjoying the relative shelter of the two-position screen on the motorway and fog-piercing auxiliary lights for murky trips across the moors. That two-cylinder engine sounds ruder than I remember as well and, while it’s a chunky old thing, I was able to keep pace with my riding buddy on a Honda CBR650R sports bike along a favourite North Yorkshire back road the other day. So much for the honeymoon, though. Winter is coming and the Voge (and rider!) will soon be meeting tougher tests…

Mileage: 1,247 (on delivery) Fuel consumption: TBC

Dan says: “I’m also coming round to other adventure bike comforts, like the adjustable screen I can pop up for motorway sections or lower for town or twisties”

With other bikes to test and trips away I’ve not done as much of the commuting over the hill to Manchester as I’d anticipated. Or, at least, haven’t yet. I’ve done a couple, though, plus a run out onto some nice roads for a photoshoot. These have me in mind of some tweaks to the suspension to balance out what feels like a harsh front end compared with the squishy rear, at least as it came from Voge. One of the beauties of this bike is that – unlike many rivals – everything is fully adjustable so I can have a fiddle and set the bike up according to personal taste, load or conditions. I’ve already given the remote rear preload a few twists to stop the back end wallowing over the lumpy moorland section of my commute, though this does make the seat a little higher. Which isn’t ideal in low-speed situations like filtering. Seems there’s a happy medium to be found there, but I’ll report back once I’ve balanced this out with the forks. A bit of humble pie has meanwhile been in order as I’m forced to accept there is indeed a reason adventure bike riders love rocking those massive aluminium luggage sets on their bikes, the ability to stash work bag, spare waterproofs and locks on the bike rather than in a backpack rather nice. Even if I’m yet to settle on a favoured configuration. A single pannier looks cooler to my eyes and keeps the weight lower on the bike but makes filtering a bit heart in mouth at times so, much as I hate the look, the top box may be the preferred option. Swapping them about doesn’t need any tools so I can at least configure for each journey as needed. While on the topic of facing down my own prejudices I’m also coming round to other adventure bike comforts, like the adjustable screen I can pop up for motorway sections or lower for town or twisties, all with an easy flick of the wrist. I’m trying to be tough when it comes to things like heated grips and seat and save them for when they’re really needed in the depths of winter, meanwhile. I’m already appreciating the auxiliary fog lights for those murky mornings across Saddleworth, though I’ve noticed the main beam directs pointlessly at the sky and, even dipped, the combo is dazzling enough for one motorist to pull over, open their window and complain. There is, seemingly, an adjuster under the front fairing but access to it seems blocked by the mudguard and steering damper. I’ll persevere with that and get it sorted now that I’m riding in the dark both to and from the office. Other than that life is good. The engine seems to be getting a little more growly with a few miles on it, the bike is comfy even when the conditions very much aren’t and the practical features might yet be enough to win me over to this whole adventure bike thing after all.

Mileage: 1,516 Fuel consumption: 47.7mpg (measured)

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Dan says: “I joined friend and YouTuber Reg Local for an extended ride round the Scottish borders the day before snowmaggedon hit the UK”

New to biking as I am the novelty of riding a motorcycle is yet to wear off, so I’ve not stopped for winter. Far from it, in fact, the Voge really knuckling down to the job of getting me over the hill to the office even in the worst of weathers. The right kit helps of course, the Vanucci threads I got in for test just before things really got wet and cold proving well up to the job. This, heating for the grips and seat plus the adjustable windscreen make even the grimmest conditions just about bearable. I said last month I’d have a look at the suspension settings in an attempt to equalise the front and rear of the bike, starting by backing off the preload on the forks via the bolts in the top caps. These have lines etched into the shaft that emerges as you unscrew them, meaning you can measure your adjustment and balance it out for both fork legs. Not especially scientific but I unscrewed both to one full marker and set the rear preload on the hydraulic adjuster next to the seat to 12 turns from fully backed off. This is mid-way between the recommended six turns for a single rider and 16 for rider with luggage but helps address the rear-end wallow I was getting before, the harshness at the front has seemingly mitigated. I might try adding a little more rebound at the rear as my next tweak but best to do these things step by step. And keep a note of the baseline settings before you start so you can revert as needed! Fettling complete I joined friend and YouTuber Reg Local for an extended ride round the Scottish borders the day before snowmaggedon hit the UK. Thankfully for our ride the dusting was confined to the hilltops for stunning views in the winter sunlight. I was glad to be following Reg on his big BMW R 1250 GSA, his advanced rider instructor instincts meaning he had a sixth sense for when we’d come round a corner and find slush or ice in the road. Which sounds scary but with his advice in my head and calm hands on the controls we made it through without any serious slithers and enjoyed a fabulous day out. When the roads did dry out I couldn’t help noticing how effortlessly Reg was pulling away from me when chance came to open the taps, the Voge not exactly slow but definitely having to work harder to keep up given the 95 horsepower engine is battling a chunky 238kg kerbweight. In the course of washing the salt and slush off after the Scottish ride I noticed the chain had slackened off a bit in the 1,000 miles or so I’ve now done. I’d tighten it up myself but I don’t have a spanner big enough for the nut on the end of the rear axle so this, the headlight adjustment and a software update I’ve heard other owners talking about online merits a trip to the local dealership. More on this next time!

Mileage: 2,229 Fuel consumption: 53.3mpg (measured average)

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Dan says: “One of the things I wanted to sense-check with the DS900X was how it would stand up to a winter of commuting through rain, snow, salt”

As mentioned last month there were a few bits and bobs to look at with the Voge, meriting a trip to local dealer Appleyard in Keighley. These included tweaking the headlight alignment I’d failed at addressing due to the awkward placement of the adjustment screw and taking up the slack in the chain accrued over the thousand-odd winter miles I’ve done so far. This would also be opportunity to get the ‘4.7’ firmware update I’d heard owners discussing online, some of whom had done it themselves via their phones. Chatting with Voge’s UK importer they politely but firmly recommended having this done at a dealership for the fact they have the proper kit to connect to the bike. Given it’s a quick job and, seemingly, covered under the warranty anyway why would you not? Also, while word on the street had it the update improves things like fuelling the reality is seemingly a little more mundane, and more about ‘backroom’ information for dealers when they plug in for servicing. Popping by Appleyard’s was also a good opportunity chat to the team there and see how the bikes are doing, the sales staff saying they’re selling well. Which doesn’t surprise me. Appleyard also sells CF Moto, another Chinese brand which, like Voge, has a connection with a mainstream European partner given it builds engines for KTM. And while the Voge was in the workshop I took the opportunity to take out its 800MT, which is a comparable mid-size adventure bike with an equivalent 799cc parallel-twin engine and similarly affordable price. A full review on that in due course but, while the two bikes look similar on paper and in the metal (to the point of being hard to tell apart), the CF Moto has a subtly sportier, more road-focused set-up with its smaller 19-inch front wheel where the Voge is more proper adventure bike with its 21-inch equivalent. Both represent mega value for money compared with the more established brands they’re up against, though, and both combine this with build quality vindicating the view Chinese bikes are really coming of age. To that end, one of the things I wanted to sense-check with the DS900X was how it would stand up to a winter of commuting through rain, snow, salt and all the rest. The answer is … very well indeed. When I do get opportunity to run a jetwash over it there are no obvious signs of cheap finishing or rusty components, suggesting the quality is up there with any Japanese or European rival. Chatting with another journalist running one he also reported the same misaligned headlight issue but that’s been sorted and if that’s the worst I can report then I can totally see why the bikes are selling well and owners love them. How does it actually compare back-to-back with the BMW F 900 GS with which it shares its engine, though? I’ll hopefully have more on that next month!

Mileage: 2,360 Fuel consumption: 50mpg (measured average)

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Dan says: “The Voge more than delivers on the promise of incredible value for money, with no excuses necessary for its Chinese breeding”

United by an engine supplier but very much set apart in terms of price, prestige and brand recognition, I was keen from the start of this loan with the Voge to get it head-to-head with the identically powered BMW F 900 GS to see how it compared. On the face of it these are two quite similar machines, given both are mid-sized modern adventure bikes with the same combination of off-road friendly 21-inch front wheels and long-travel suspension. And, of course, both using the same Loncin-built 895cc parallel-twin engine. The difference being Voge charges you just over £9,000 for the complete package while the starting price for the BMW is just shy of £12,000 and more like £16,000 for the one you see here. So, are Voge owners getting BMW power on the cheap or are F 900 GS buyers being ripped off for their ’posh’ German bike actually having a Chinese engine? Or is it a bit of both? One look at this particular F 900 GS tells you it’s more serious in its off-road ambitions, thanks to the upgraded Enduro Pro Package with beefier forks and shock, the knobblier tyres and more besides. But I’ve seen a Voge set up the same way and, while it gives a little away in power and suspension travel, it still looks a capable off-road package. More on which in a sec. As discussed previously, the Voge has impressive kit and finish full stop, never mind for the price. But you can see where some of the extra money goes in the BMW’s detailing, the componentry and extra tech like cornering ABS/traction control and the slick integration of the standard screen and additional clip-in navigation unit. There’s a story in itself breaking down the comparisons in detail but, in summary, I think owners of both bikes can be happy with where their money is going, even if those opting for the BMW will be paying a lot more. And the sight of a Voge might be an unpleasant reminder of that. Moving on, the other thing I wanted to do before the Voge went back was get some mud on its tyres. Which I did with a run along the stunning Rudland Rigg in North Yorkshire, which is apparently the longest uninterrupted off-road track in England. If the gravel surface isn’t all that demanding the views are stunning and after the months of commuting and regular riding it felt great to do something vaguely adventurous, given it’s meant to be an adventure bike and all. Final test passed with flying colours! As have all those I wanted to set the bike. While there are, perhaps, a few very minor rough edges the Voge more than delivers on the promise of incredible value for money, with no excuses necessary for its Chinese breeding or bargain price. Whether you’re after a versatile bike for everyday use of something ready to take you further afield it would seem to have all bases covered. In conclusion? A good bike, not just a cheap one.

Mileage: 2,705 Fuel consumption: 52.5mpg (measured)

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