Is the Voge DS900X any good? | Long-term review

Four months and 4,000 miles later, Ross Mowbray reflects on a harsh winter spent on the adventure bike from China…

Riding a bike through winter isn’t for everyone. While there’s joy to be found in a quick blast on a cool crisp morning as the sun rises, and there’s something perversely satisfying about pressing on when it’s absolutely pelting it down, most of the time you’re a bit cold, and a bit wet, struggling to see through a fogged-up visor.

I’m used to it by now. I’ve not owned a car since I was 18, and I’ve been using motorcycles as my only form of transport for over 10 years (other than a couple of months with an unreliable old camper that went bang after 400 miles). In that time, I’ve learned that a hard winter can expose a bike’s weaknesses and highlight its strengths too.

This is why I jumped at the chance to run the Voge through the colder months, to find out if the criticism often levelled at Chinese-built bikes is either justified or outdated.

The DS900X has had a hard go of it, I’ve made sure of that. Other than lubing the chain and pumping up the tyres a couple of times, I’ve largely left it stew in its own filth. It’s handled the neglect remarkably well and the only rust I’ve clocked so far is on the top box. I’ve seen bikes from big-name manufacturers react far worse to the grit and grime. I’d call that a win.

The bike has also started on the button every single time, even after being sat for a couple of weeks in sub-zero temperatures. Again, I’ve had batteries on bikes from big name manufacturers die in a matter of days. Solid? Tick. Reliable? Tick.

Quality hardware

The DS900X is easy to ride, too. There’s no real need for big power, performance-focused suspension, and pin-sharp handling when you’re doing winter miles in terrible conditions, but the Voge offers a decent balance. Docile when you need it to be, while still having enough punch to get you out of trouble, the BMW-derived, yet Loncin-built, 895cc parallel twin is smooth and predictable.

It helped me to tiptoe along ice-covered roads into work more than once, with Rain mode softening power delivery and easing throttle response.

The brakes are just as friendly. They’re proper Brembos offering plenty of progressive stopping power. The adjustable KYB suspension is on the softer end of the spectrum, but comfort and cornering capability are well catered for.

But while the Voge is a bit of a unit and is a touch ungainly when fully loaded with luggage, all is forgiven when you flat foot the floor on the very accessible 825mm seat.

The saddle of the DS900X is also pleasant place to be, thanks in part to the vast amount of kit that comes as standard. What have I used most? The heated grips which are excellent, although the button isn’t in the most obvious position, and it’s easy to catch the full beam button and flash oncoming traffic instead.

Serious competition

Any other niggles? While it’s impressive that the luggage is thrown in for the price, the opening mechanism is a bit of a faff and difficult to operate with a thick-gloved hand.

The built-in SatNav isn’t the most intuitive either, and the smartphone app is a little clunky leading to intermittent issues connecting my phone to the screen. But when it works, it works well.

But overall, there’s a lot to like about the Voge DS900X. It’s proven itself a reliable workhorse that’s taken on the very worst of winter and come out the other side with its head held high.

The dealer network isn’t extensive, and there are still questions about residual values, but if this is an indication of what Chinese firms are capable of producing for a good whack less cash, the old guard should be worried.

Voge DS900X specs at a glance

Price: £8,999

Engine: liquid-cooled, four-stroke inline twin

Final drive: chain

Capacity: 895cc

Power: 96.5bhp at 8,250rpm

Torque: 91Nm at 6,250rpm

Gears: six speed

Front suspension: upside down KYB shocks with 194mm travel, adjustable preload and damping

Rear suspension: KYB monoshock with 198mm travel, adjustable preload and damping

Front brake: Dual 305mm discs, Brembo 2-piston calipers, ABS

Rear brake: Single 265mm disc, Brembo 1-piston caliper, ABS

Weight: 238kg

Tank capacity: 17l range

Seat height: 825mm

Ground clearance: 190mm

Wheels/tyres: front 90/90 21, rear 150/70 17