Voge DS800X Rally – feels like home from the first ride
The ride to Kyrkekvarn covered just over 130 kilometres of varied tarmac before the weekend continued with Malin Åhr and Kör Hoj on gravel roads and forest trails. I set off early on Saturday morning in temperatures of just nine degrees Celsius. Summer hadn’t quite arrived yet, and despite dressing for the conditions I was genuinely grateful for both the heated grips and the heated seat.
Heated grips have become more or less essential for me. It has to be fairly warm before I stop using them, and even in the middle of summer I often leave them on their lowest setting. Partly because my hands get cold and stiff very easily, but also because it allows me to wear thinner gloves and enjoy a better feel through the controls. A heated seat, on the other hand, has never been something I considered essential. It always felt more like a luxury feature. That chilly Saturday morning, however, I have to admit it probably played a big part in keeping me warm.
It just felt right
The very first miles left a positive impression, and I am not just talking about the warmth from the heated grips and seat. The riding position felt natural, and the ergonomics suited me straight away. My initial thought was that I might have preferred to sit a centimetre or so higher, simply because I like the feeling of sitting on a motorcycle rather than in it. But that thought soon disappeared. The longer I rode, the more natural the riding position became. Before long, it simply felt exactly right for me. Interestingly, my photographer, Jens Svedholm, who is around ten centimetres taller than I am, came to the very same conclusion. Jens had the chance to take the bike out on Sunday afternoon when we went for an extra ride after I had returned from Kyrkekvarn.
On paper, the Voge DS800X Rally tips the scales at around 227 kg with a full tank. That does not make it one of the lightest bikes in its class, yet it is one of those motorcycles where the numbers quickly become irrelevant. It never felt cumbersome or top-heavy. Quite the opposite. It felt agile and beautifully balanced, whether on tarmac or gravel.
Just as happy on tarmac as on gravel
That sense of agility became a recurring theme throughout the weekend. On twisty tarmac roads, the Voge felt light, responsive and eager to be ridden without ever becoming nervous or demanding. When the tarmac ended, it remained just as composed. The gravel roads around Kyrkekvarn posed no challenge for the DS800x Rally. Instead, it felt balanced, reassuring and confidence-inspiring.
At the same time, the lively parallel twin added a playful character that makes adventure riding so enjoyable. Quite simply, it seemed to invite you to keep riding.
Even the transport stages exceeded expectations. The DS800 Rally felt equally at home cruising on faster roads as it did carving its way along winding country lanes. I never found myself wishing for more power. The engine delivered exactly what was needed.
Small details in an impressive package
There are, of course, a few details that remind you the Voge doesn’t carry the same price tag as some of its rivals. The switchgear, for example, could have been a little more intuitive, and a few of the buttons lack the premium feel offered by the more established manufacturers.
That said, these really are minor points. Over the course of an entire weekend riding on both tarmac and gravel, they were genuinely the only things I found myself noticing. The overall package outweighed those few shortcomings by a considerable margin.
Smart technology
The DS800 Rally is also generously equipped when it comes to technology. Like many modern motorcycles, it offers a range of Bluetooth-based features through its seven-inch TFT display. These include smartphone connectivity, screen mirroring and navigation displayed directly on the dashboard. It also comes fitted with an integrated HD camera that records both front and rear views while riding.
I’ll happily admit that I didn’t have time to explore every Bluetooth feature during the test. What I did appreciate, however, was the ability to mirror my phone and use Google Maps directly on the bike’s display. It worked smoothly and meant there was no need to mount my phone on the handlebars. Riders who still prefer a dedicated GPS unit will also appreciate the well-positioned accessory crossbar above the instruments, making it easy to fit an external navigation device.
Conclusion
The adventure class is one of the most fiercely contested parts of today’s motorcycle market. The Yamaha Ténéré 700 has long been one of the benchmark middleweight adventure bikes, while models such as the KTM 890 Adventure and Husqvarna Norden 901 continue to attract plenty of attention.
After spending a weekend with the Voge DS800 Rally, I’m convinced it deserves to be mentioned in the same company. It doesn’t try to be extreme in any particular area. Instead, it offers a well-rounded package where ergonomics, handling, equipment and an eager twin-cylinder engine combine to create a motorcycle that is both enjoyable to ride and remarkably easy to feel at home on.
When I handed the bike back, I found myself wondering how it would fit into my own garage.
And perhaps that says more than anything else. The Voge DS800 Rally delivers a riding experience that feels considerably more expensive than its price tag suggests. When you consider that the complete package comes in at around €10,000, depending on the market, and is backed by a five-year warranty, it’s easy to understand why more and more riders are starting to take notice of the Voge DS800 Rally.
Anna Haglund