We all know this for a fact, and it doesn’t really have to be said, but the middleweight ADV segment is on absolute fire lately. Quite literally every motorcycle manufacturer out there has an off-road-capable adventure bike somewhere in the 650cc to 900cc segment, and it’s absolutely bonkers.
In no other time in history have we seen so many mid-sized ADV offerings, most of which boasting well-balanced platforms, and even better yet, priced in such a way that they won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Naturally, this all started with bikes like the Yamaha Tenere 700 and KTM 790 Adventure R, but now, the influx of new adventure bikes is nothing short of dizzying, and the new additions from all these new Chinese manufacturers doesn’t really make things easier for prospective buyers.
I mean, take Voge’s DS800 Rally, for example. This thing was just unveiled at EICMA 2024, and it’s a clear sign that Chinese manufacturers are pulling all the stops to make sure their bikes can compete on the global stage.
I’m talking about specs and features that not only match the European competition, but to certain extent, one-up them. For example, Voge claims an impressive 94 horsepower out of its 798cc parallel-twin. On top of that, it’s boasting some serious equipment, too. Think KYB fully adjustable forks, Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR rubber, and switchable ABS and TC modes.
And all this for a price tag that will more than likely be a fraction that of its mainstream European rivals.
Now, it’s important to note here that Voge is by no means an obscure motorcycle manufacturer. It’s actually a subsidiary of Loncin, one of the biggest motorcycle manufacturers in China, and one with a long-standing partnership with none other than BMW. In fact, Loncin has been involved with BMW’s F 850 and F 900 series of bikes pretty much from the very beginning, supplying engines to the German manufacturer.
And now that Loncin has dialed in the technology for producing world-class engines, it’s throwing a big fat middle finger to the global market, and coming up with its own stuff. Who would’ve thought?
To that end, we’ll have to wait and see how this thing actually performs in the real world. But if today’s crop of made-in-China bikes is anything to go by, there’s a good chance that this thing will actually strike a chord among folks who prefer accessibility and affordability over brand loyalty.
Sources: ADV Rider, Voge Motorcycles
