The newcomer taking ground in Sweden – Voge DS625X & DS900X test ride

This summer has brought a few unusually hot and sunny days – the kind of extreme heat we are neither used to nor spoiled with in this country. But on one such day we had the chance to test ride the brand-new Voge DS625X on Sweden’s west coast.

Voge DS625X

At first glance, the bike makes a solid impression. It resembles some of BMW’s models, and I was pleasantly surprised when I had a closer look and feel. Many Chinese-made products often give the sense of being a cheap copy – but not this one. Visually, it is a handsome machine with elegant lines. The Voge DS625X weighs 191 kilos and has a seat height of 835 mm. It doesn’t feel heavy to handle, and as I swing my leg over the saddle, there’s a flutter of excitement. The seat is slightly wide, which means I can’t put my feet completely flat on the ground, but I must stress once again that this is not the most important factor. Learn the technique of balancing and lifting the bike off its stand, and suddenly your range of fun and capable motorcycles increases dramatically.

After going through the display and some of the technical features, it was finally time to head off. My riding partner Anna Haglund and I had each borrowed a model, and we were more than ready for our very first joint test ride. We rolled out of the residential area where we picked them up and were soon out in the countryside.

The DS625X is an easy-to-ride and compliant model, ideal for beginners or for anyone looking for a good, affordable commuter bike. The riding position is upright with feet placed directly below. It’s comfortable, and the seat feels soft enough for longer stretches.

Once we reached winding roads, we could increase the pace a little. The experience was far from a cheap imitation of another brand. Voge itself describes the model as “an adventure motorcycle combining modern technology with versatility and performance for both road and light off-road riding”. Although fitted with road tyres, it handled larger gravel roads and simple forest tracks without issue.

The model I rode came with an LCD display, while the other bike had a TFT screen. Personally, I prefer TFT as it’s clearer and easier to read.

The LCD felt a bit cluttered and harder to navigate while riding. At least the speed – arguably the most important detail – was easy to spot. The buttons and controls, however, were less intuitive and not the most stylish in design.

The DS625X offers two riding modes: ECO and SPORT. I spent most of the time in SPORT to benefit from the sharper throttle response.

The midday sun was almost too much, and we started to lose focus, so we stopped for lunch. The plan had been to ride around Lake Lygnern, and we found a pleasant restaurant in Sätila just in time for the lunch menu. Parking right outside was no problem.

Back on the bikes, refreshed and re-energised, we set off again onto the smaller country roads. Under throttle, the smaller engine was noticeable, and I couldn’t quite keep up when Anna pulled away.

The tank holds 16.5 litres, contributing to its lighter, smaller build. It comes with 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels, as well as fully adjustable Kayaba suspension. The engine is built in collaboration with BMW – Voge belongs to the Loncin group, which has long worked closely with BMW Motorrad. Loncin manufactures engines for BMW’s F and C series as well as their scooter models.

As we continued through the winding country roads, there was a wonderful sense of gliding through the Swedish summer. Voge equips its motorcycles with plenty of modern features: cruise control, LED lights, cornering lights, an adjustable windscreen, centre stand, Nissin brakes, slipper clutch, tyre pressure monitoring and more. The DS625X comes in two colours – black or beige/sand. Its liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine delivers 581 cc, 64 hp at 9,000 rpm and 58 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm.

The price starts at 89,900 SEK, offering a lot of motorcycle for the money.

Voge DS900X

The first impression of the DS900X is that it aims to compete with the established giants of the adventure class. Its liquid-cooled 895 cc parallel-twin engine, developed in collaboration with BMW just like the 625’s, produces around 95 hp and a healthy amount of torque.

The riding position is upright and comfortable, the seat soft and supportive – here it feels more like a touring bike than a commuter. At 238 kg it may seem heavy to manoeuvre when stationary, but once moving it is surprisingly well balanced and easy to handle. The torque brings a grin to your face – and plenty of riding joy.

The fully adjustable Kayaba suspension and 21-inch front/17-inch rear wheels make the DS900X feel stable on the road and capable on lighter off-road stretches.

The technology package is equally impressive: a 7-inch TFT display with Bluetooth, GPS integration, tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS), cruise control, quickshifter, keyless start, heated grips, three-stage heated seat and grips, and even an integrated 1080p HD camera. It comes with four riding modes, with ABS and traction control deactivated in Offroad mode. And there’s much more.

Most features are included as standard, so you don’t need to worry about expensive extras. All of this is wrapped up in a bike that visually resembles much pricier European adventure machines. The DS900X is available in two colours: black and silver.

With a price tag of around 134,900 SEK, it offers, just like the DS625X, a lot of motorcycle for your money.

The overall impression is very positive. By the time we returned the bikes in the afternoon, I could only conclude that the answer to my initial question was a resounding yes. Voge really does challenge the big brands and delivers a motorcycle with great potential. With a two-year factory warranty plus a further three years’ extended cover, you can confidently buy and enjoy this exciting newcomer.

Find out more about the models at: vogeglobal.com