Voge 300 Rally - 2000 mile test - ride to the Alps
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- I was loaned a new Voge 300 Rally and used on a tour I planned down to the Stella Alpina event in the Italian Alps.
It was an eight day trip covering motorway, A roads, mountain passess and trails. It was a good test for the bike alongside its peers.
That link to Richard's just giving page
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nathan-millward?AARew8jM
Nice review. The Voge 300 Rally is a bargain, an excellent bike for the price.
About reliability, I can give some elements.
The engine is the well known Kawasaki KLX 300. Loncin has made this engine for Kawasaki since ages and has a licence. The lone difference is the injection, all the remaining is identical including the quality of steels and treatments. Loncin works also for BMW (more than 35000 complete engines at this day) and makes a lot of engine parts for big brands. Besides Loncin produces more than 2,5 millions motorcycles each year mostly for the 1.2 billion Chinese customers...Loncin has 70 thousand employees...The Chinese brands are working for their enormous internal market where almost 300 million have a level of life close or equal to Europe, and the other 900 million need means of transportation.
Voge is selling a lot in Latin America, and there are in Argentina some Voge 300 Rally with more than 30000 km, and one guy 50000 km without any problem. I'm not surprised it's the old good well proven KLX engine.
In Spain the Voge 300 Rally has been sold as hot bread. There are several channels on YT, all in Spanish. There are 4 guys with 4 Rally who have made 3500 km offroad in Morocco with just 1 flat front tire (channel Vogeando). The channel Viajando con Mabre has several interesting videos. This athletic guy has taken a Voge Rally (with NO modifications) in the "Xtreme 300 de Pozoblanco" and made 300 km WOT, so full gas that the consumption went up to 7 liters/100 km. No problem. That means he stayed WOT using all the 25 hp, the kind of thing never a amateur owner will do to his bike.
So happy that he took the same bike to The Hellas Rally 2023 in Greece, 7 days race in pretty harsh condition under a lot of rain. One problem day 4, that was a faulty connector from the alternator to the regulator full of mud. None problem with the engine.
For those talking about Honda reliability the CRF are made in China and assembled in Vietnam, no Japanese has been harmed making it...The Triumph are made in Thailand...The KTM 390 are made in India and lots of parts including complete engines of the big KTM are made in China by CFM Moto who has now also a partnership with Yamaha.
And Kove is now selling the 450 Rally. Almost a unicorn. Jimmy Lewis (winner of the Dakar, gold medalist of the ISDT, winner of several Bajas) makes a detailed test of the bike for Dirt Bike Test. I say nothing just see the video th-cam.com/video/fd_pwm9q2aw/w-d-xo.html
Grato pelas informações. Uma mota de 300 cc é perfeita para meu estilo de uso. Gostei da 300 DS por conta de usar pneus tubeless. Para mim um diferencial importante.
Estou com 60 anos e com mota desde os 17. Fiz muitas viagens longas com varias motos e mais recentemente viagens longas com uma Suzuki 125. Uma 300 tem sobra para viajar e com a vantagem de ser leve e manobrável, o q gosto.
@@luziosalles324 All depends if you want to make some off road and dirt roads or simply asphalt an some very easy dry dirt roads.
The 300 Rally is oriented off road, it's a dual sport like the old DR SE 650 Suzuki or the Fantic 500 Caballero Rally. The seat is pretty high at 915mm and the suspensions have more than 200 mm travel.
The 300 DS is a road bike with alloy rims and road tires. The seat is far lower, and the suspensions have 134 mm travel. Good for road, not enough off road. The alloy rims may be fragile off road.
All depends of your program. Good news, you can get the same advantages of the tubeless tires on the 300 Rally using the TUBLISS system (you'll find plenty of videos on YT). You can find them in Portugal at Enduro Portugal Shop.
With the tubliss, you repair the tires of an offroad bike like road tubeless tires. Enormous advantage of road you can ride in sand or mud with very low pressures as 300 or 500 grams to get grip. You need only a small electric pump (50 bucks) to change the pressure of the tires.
I have used the tubliss for years off road. The lone con : it's pretty expensive but that outlast several tires, and needs some precaution when installing the tubliss. You'll see on the videos.
Brilliant ! Well said.
If this has KLX300 engine then why do you need to do the valves every 5.000 kilometers with Voge and every 12.000 kilometers with Kawasaki?
@@szymonchalupka Probably because the Chinese have mostly a third world market, so are more cautious or conservative, maybe also because it's in the joint venture contract.
And yes the engine of all KLX250 and 300 have been made in China since a long time.
In fact Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM, BMW, Piaggo have several joint ventures with Chinese companies.
Even Ducati owned by a German group which is selling Ducati to an Indian group, has a lot of spares made in China.
I have heard that Guzzi gear boxes are made in China, but I wouldn't swear about it.
All the small Honda have been made in China since 20 years.
I’m also going to make a comment about your great routes down through France and back. I get annoyed by posters on FB and forums who make claims like, you have to use the autoroutes, or, France is shit. France is covered in quiet backroads perfect for motorcycling. I do tens of thousands of kilometres in France on two wheels and four and I can’t remember when I last used an autoroute. I’ve had my CB500X for nearly two years now and it’s never been on one. You have shown the way to do it, take the backroads and perhaps add a day to your trip. That day will add value to every kilometre you travel and both your ride and the holiday will be enhanced.
Leave em on the autoroutes if they are that short sighted.
The journey to the destination should be as much a part of the holiday as the destination. It’s called touring for a reason! There’s nothing more joyless than riding a bike on a motorway!
Excellent review, you are right about rural France, why people rush through on the motorways is beyond me, the roads and villages are enchanting and worth the effort to seek them out
Totally agree with the previous comments. Far too many professional bike reviewers slate small capacity bikes always lording the benefits of bigger cc machines. It’s great to hear someone singing the praise & virtues of these smaller capacity bikes. Well done Nathan.
That was some fine, professional, objective review! I can't remember a more comprehensive, credible review ... of ANYthing ! WELL done, mate!
So great to see a journalist highlighting the positives of cheaper lower powered bikes. To be honest the mainstream news loves the high tech super expensive bikes but you're proving that you don't need to spend anywhere near £20k to have great adventures.
We were out in the Alps about the same time as you. We were short on time so made the journey in a day using the autoroute. It did give us 5 fantastic riding days, including a circumnavigation of Mont Blanc
Well done with the fund raising for Richard👍👍👍
300 cc single and a fantastic Journey..Big respect..Just shows what a small, inexpensive bike can do..fantastic review, amazing views & scenery..The review of the Bike was dramatically better than I expected and the excellent mpg makes the bike a serious contender in the small capacity adventure enduro and to be better than a CRF in the engine and suspension departments ( as stock) is very impressive indeed . Best review and honest comments/comparisons I've seen on YT! Outstanding.
Thanks Stevie. I appreciate the comment.
Thank you for your honesty made such a refreshing change to hear a honest review of a bike in a time when 98 % of reviews on TH-cam are ass licking bullshit ☝️ very informative and honest keep up the good work proud to call you a friend 😎🙏
Gotta agree with the previous poster, an enjoyable, intelligent and comprehensive review, I enjoyed it 😁
I'm not in the market for a new bike but I was curious anyway and enjoyed it.
I particularly agreed with your comments on ditching the motorway and making the most of those rural french roads, so much to see, so many great roads, well worth the effort and the time in my opinion.
I'm down in the south of France, near aix en Provence, in a village next to the mountain St Victoire, I've been here for 25 years, riding around on a bullet and a Himalayan,.I know some good roads. If you ever think of passing through, tap me up, if I can help at all it would be my pleasure and it goes without saying, it would be a pleasure to ride with you, you inspired my son a long time ago, I've said this before, and you sent a package of info that got him motivated, so, I think, I owe you one 👍.
All the best,
David.
Always love your reviews Nathan. To be honest, you're probably the only one on you tube where I trust the author 100%. It also helps that your opinions on bikes seem to match my own.
Was looking to find out about the bike but this review is so much more and what a brilliant video
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for that Nathan, a great video. I went down to look at a Voge 300 a couple of weeks ago and I don’t know what I was expecting but it was so much better than I’d dreamed of. Having heard your positive comments today I’m going to have to arrange a test ride. It’s exactly the sort of bike I’m looking for and at the price it’s impossible to ignore and the fantastic fuel consumption figures are a huge plus too. . If I get one it would replace my Suzuki DR125 as my everyday do everything local bike and the bike that I explore the lanes and tracks that criss-cross the area that I live in. I will keep my 500X for longer more road based trips because it does that job so well. Thanks again, it looks like it was a great trip, I hope you managed to enjoy it despite the incident. It appears that the Voge was the perfect bike for the conditions.
Really great review mate well done Nathan on the route planning and the story telling. Super easy and fun to watch like tv!!
And that is true motorcycle journalism right there.
Nice one, Nathan. 👍
That was a class review. It’s also inspired me to go buy one and do the same route!!!
Brilliant, thanks Nathan. And sorry for badgering you about getting this film out when you'd already done it! I hope Richard is doing ok. I've got a great 2019 CRF Rally but have been looking to get a used CB 500X as well for 2-up and longer trips.Or maybe a Voge 500? But I'm also going to wait and see what Enfield come up with this autumn. The endless dreaming of new bikes is part of the fun of eventually getting one. Cheers. Mike.
From Demon Weeks: If you own a bike that isn’t E10 compatible, then there are a few points that will need addressing or paying attention too…
Firstly, ethanol is a solvent, which means any rubber seals, washers, plastic, or fibreglass tanks are at danger of melting if they come into constant contact with E10. Fuel hoses can be changed, as can fuel filters, but on classic bikes, it means taking the replica fibreglass tanks off and replacing them with an alloy or steel tank. It may be worth noting to maybe carry a spare set of carb floats if you have a carburettor fed bike that uses metal floats, as E10 loves to eat the solder too! If you own a modern bike that doesn’t have the E5 or E10 sticker on its tank, it may be worth checking with the manufacturer to make sure its compatible)
E10 can also cause corrosion in your fuel system… As ethanol is hygroscopic (like brake fluid), it absorbs and mixes with water and can even absorb moisture out of the air around it or from condensation. If left for a long time - then this moisture comes into contact with parts of the fuel system that never see water - leading to corrosion in injectors, jets, filters etc…
If your bike gets regular use and you are regularly running tanks of fuel through, then the water attracting properties of E10 are not a real problem - the only time it becomes a problem is if the bike is left stored for a long time. If left long enough the water absorbed into the fuel can cause “phase separation”, where the ethanol separates from the fuel and sinks to the bottom of the tank - helping to cause corrosion, but rendering the bike hard to start when you come back to it.
Older bikes with carburettors may also need to be tuned with a jet kit, or by richening the mixture for optimum combustion and to stop the bike running lean.
I'm not a trail bike rider, but that was a great and thourough test of the Voge. I do ride a Benelli Leo 500 trail (not off road) I just liked the look of it. These Chinese bikes are great value, but need more dealers for long term ownership for spares and backup.
Outstanding detailed review.
Everything about the Vouge is very tempting.
As for spares support, they surely can't be any worse than Triumph.
A well known YT motorcycle vlogger that has been waiting 6 months for a cylinder base gasket for a Bonivill.
I would buy a Voge.
Nice bike (the Voge)
Tout d'abord merci pour le partage et l'excellente qualité de votre analyse de la moto, ensuite merci à Google pour la traduction😁 je pense que si je devais choisir une petite moto tout terrain je choisirai la Voge. Encore merci ✌️
Great real world review of the bike,definitely an option
I can see Mt Blanc plage from my kitchen window. Great bike review and nice to see some of the local roads on your film. It reminded me how lucky I am to live here when I saw the footage of the wet U.K. motorways.
Nice Voge motorcycle and I liked your video
Brilliant, nice honest review as usual 👍
Great review and too the point! Thank you! They are starting to build a good name for themselves, so their products are become more and nice attractive!
When the Chinese copy, they normally copy an obsolete engine. That off-road bit looked fabulous, I had a CRF250 and it was awful, after my Lifan 200. The Honda had no torque at all as stock. Great review no BS, thanks.
I stayed in Avalon in the early 2000s. The name of the hotel you stayed in is familiar. The car park, too. I don't like the sound of the Voge's buzziness at speed. The screen is attractive. More attractive in other areas, too. Looks a lot better than the CRF Rally which has the ugliest headlights I've ever seen. You are right about rural France: stunning. I wouldn't dream of going on a motorway.
It's just after 8 a.m. in Thailand. What a great way to start the day. 1990 [Nick J]
A really good review, really enjoyed that. Gave me a real feel for this bike…so much so I will be going for a test ride.
Excellent content Nathan, thank you. Cheers.
more comp is good - finally, and all well wishes to Richard and his family and friends
This video’s FANTASTIC not jus for the “bike test” but more for that beautiful route and it’s fantastic views!
I hope you put that in your google maps ‘your places’ and can share 🙏🏼
Absolutely cracking review! Brilliant video.
Very fair and honest review. ……. Some facts, some insights…..decision is up to the viewers
Pity the Voge is not sold in Australia. CF Moto is but don't have a 300 like the Voge. Great review which highlights the benefits of the 300.
Great and honest review. I bought the Voge based mainly on value for money. As you say, a real "no brainer".
I've also owned the KTM but that was next to hopeless off road with it's smaller wheels and standing up was nigh on impossible. Great engine though.
I should imagine completing the course on the RE would feel like an accomplishment.
Can't honestly see why anyone would pay the extra for the Honda with it's lesser suspension.
An interesting bike to throw in the mix would be an old DRZ400. I used to "greenlane" one of those and although a bit limited compared to the "proper" enduro bikes, that thing was totally indestructible (and God knows I tried). That extra "Oomph" would be useful though now, in my advancing years, the more "compliant" Voge is enough for me.
That route has just become number one on my bucket list.
Thanks again and sorry to hear about your mate.
Did you have the KTM 390 ADV ? (small wheel and standing up hopeless)
Great review, it's good to see good
affordable bikes coming to the market.
I met you at one of the forts, I was was on a 650 Vstrom with my mate Yoshi on his AT. The Strom got round but you probably had more fun. I was running Anlas Capra tyres, recommended!
It got up Sommeiller no problem
We took the D roads as well and they were great as you say
It was my first Stella Alpina and after watching your review I will take my 300 rally next time.
I'm in South Wales TRF and my modded rally gets used pretty hard locally, it's very capable in its present form
Off to Morocco on the rally next month
Great review and wonderful trails !
I must have been zapped into s parallel universe. Buy one over a Himalayan? Is this A.I Nathan?
I do think the Himalayan is to expensive now though
Great review 👍
Coo! That’s tempting. And a better test of a bike than any YT tester normally puts a test-machine through. Hope Richard is making progress. Is he back home now? Les
Hi les. Yes back home and at rehab hospital in Coventry. He's doing ok.
@@nathanthepostman Thanks, good news then. I hope the rehab is a lot of help. Les
Nice footage of the French D roads & in the mountains off the beaten track. Reminds of of trips 20+ years ago. Do you have any details of the Stella in 2024? Looks like fun - great scenery & range of bikes attending.
Excellent video and review of an interesting bike. Also made me desperate to go back to some real mountains..
Well produced and presented.👍🍺
Looking forward to seeing reviews on the new Triumph Scrambler 400X.
Excellent balanced review. Thank you.
Nice to see RR on the DR at the back.
I tried the key in my fuel cap on my Voge Rally and it stays when you lift the cap in no problems. Would have been nice if it hinged rather than needed to be removed, but my 1999 Yamha is the same. The Rally is the first bike I have ever had with ABS, so that is a modern gadget for me.
To be fair sometimes the key stays in on this one as well. Maybe just a bit of a bad luck I was having with it
Excellent review I think I need to have a go, and as you say the price is very attractive when compared to the Honda
Absolutely great review. I think this is a better option the the CRF Rally
Absolutely enjoying your channel and descriptive feedback
although i have a 650 road bike i am looking to downsize with age and take up light trail riding and the Voge looks to be a contender with my limited Budget and your reviews along with others i am in no great rush so i will continue to observe and hope buy the time i have put by enough funds to be looking to purchase The reviews are still positive ones and for the corrosion a treatment of Acf-50 or similar treatment would possibly keep that in check.
a real ride, a real world real experience rider, real words, honest words , thank you Nathern , the Chinese are here. one query was the bike a more enjoyable road ride due to the tyres being more road biased than the other red ones in the class that you ride. Great stuff interested as a unexcited CRF 250 rally owner.
Thanks biker nav. Good question on the tyres. They are a decent road tyre on the voge. Less off roady than the CRF. But I don't think theyre much responsible for it's better road manners. I think the suspension is what makes it a sweeter steer. I'll be putting some Bridgestone ax41s on when back from Scotland. Will see how it handles then
Thanks for a useful review. I'm currently in the US but, looking at Ecuador and I can't import a motorcycle there at all. My choices to buy look like a Loncin 300 Rally (I think it's close to a Voge minus ABS and carburetor instead of fuel injection) or a Honda XR 250 Tornado. The Honda would be close version of a XR 150; air cooled, carburetor, rear drum brake, 20hp, ect. The Loncin would be 2,560.26 GBP and the Honda would be 6,301.40 GBP.. It's an easy decision but, good to hear there's great promise for the Loncin 300 Rally.
Really good and informative review with some amazing video footage, well done. I must get down and ride some of those alpine trails. Bosco camping is about half a days ride from chez moi. Really sorry to read about your ride buddy Richard😢
thats a fantastic review showing some awesome routes and what looks like a great little bike, shame the trip was tinged in regards Richard but hope he's doing ok under the circumstances Nathan, Cheers
True and honest review !! Great info !!
Compelling non cliche bike package. Stunning scenery. Envious? Me? Not a bit?😂
Great review , thanks . Pity they aren't as yet imported into Australia .
Your videos are fantastic, and your rides are captivating! 🌍 How do you manage fatigue during those extensive journeys and stay in top shape? A video on this would be fantastic!
That's a great question Zen. I'll try and address that in a future video
No BS, just facts. It makes me wonder about other MC journos, I guess they get younger and so more modern stuff dripping with tech is "normal" for them, and anything less than 100hp and £20k has to be shit. I downgeared my rear sprocket so i was not ringing the tits off my 250 at 70mph, but it comes at the price it wont rev out in top anymore except downhill with a tail wind and 85mph on skinny tyres is exciting enough. Pity about the running in.....wouldnt want to be the one who buys the "bargain ex-demo bike". Well done.
With modern engines and modern oils I doubt Nathan’s running in will have done any harm at all. Having said that if I do get a Voge mine will be run in a lot more gently than that. 🙂
If I didn't already have a ktm 390 this would be the bike I'd get.
Seems to come with pretty much everything, and at the price , get 3 years out of it, be well worth it.
They need to get more dealerships on board though, dont think there are any here in Scotland at all, and stuff riding 100 miles each way to get a service.
stuff riding 100 miles each way to get a service - plenty of ppl are doing their own on these bikes - after all it's only an old Kwaker engine..... just make sure you put a drain hole in the lower regulator boot
Do you think that the quoted buzz of the brand new engine (that had been "thrashed" with 90 miles on the clock to Newhaven) would have been helped with a full correct running-in period ?
NB: Hopefully there was an oil-change before Newhaven to get rid of the original factory oil and the inevitable running-in particles.
Nice video
If it sells well, which I think it will
Then the parts will be there
This has a last put the Cat amongst the pigeons
Hey Nathan. Great in depth review! Really motivates me to go and buy this bike. I've owned a Zontes 310 T2 which is another Chinese brand that offers for bike in this category. I would say it's something more simular to BMW 310 GS when it comes to a feel do the bike but comes with loads of equipment. I sold it as wanted to go for something a bit more off-road capable within the same category and Voge seems to be just the bike at an amazing price! Can you give us some more info on the luggage you used as if I buy the bike I'd definitely be buying some luggage for it as well. Much appreciated and thanks for the great review!
No problem CJ. I just bought the Rhino Walk luggage from Amazon. It was about £120 or the 18-litre sacks. They seem pretty good. Easy to fit and work without racks. I'll do a separate video on them.
The Voge 300 looks like a gift at the price. I am only 172 cm .... Is it too tall. Are there lowering links available ??
I think you'd be alright, especially if you were confident and commited with one foot rather than two dangling feet. Not sure about lowering links. Have a look on AliExpress. Loads of stuff for the bike on there
At 1:55, is that a CB500X? Looks mean with that setup
Hey Nathan. Cracking review, thanks. What about a Voge over the new Himalayan 450?
Wonderful! Always a pleasure to hear your feedback! I have enjoyed my '22 Himalayan immensely, and your successful experience with and endorsement of the Himi was definitely a factor in my purchase. The Voge 300 Rally is another value proposition that I hope becomes available in the States. More importantly, how is your injured mate and his family doing at this time?
Great video. Hope Richard is doing okay 🤞🏻
I have a 22 plate Himmy but the confidence it inspires has lead me to do more off roading than I expected and now I'm keen to explore the TET more and more.
Do you think the 8cm of extra ground clearance makes the Voge a better option purely for riding the TET?
I do love the fact I can throw hard luggage and strap my paddle board on the Himmy but it's not really fast enough on the road to make it a better option than the car for that.
Nice trip all through. But why was the rider paralyzed 😢😮
Had a collision with a car unfortunately.
Great video Nathan, how can I get on one of these rides in the future?
If you register for updates at www.dorothysspeedshop.com I post them up there
Hi Nathan.
I own a v storm 1050 xt and have done trips to Le Mans, Brecon, and NC500 in last 12mths.
Just bought a voge today as I fancy doing a few trails after watching your videos and can’t wait to test it out.
Would love to come on one of your group journeys next year if you have any planned? How do I find out about them?
Keep up the great work with the videos pal.
Apologies for the late reply. Just spotted this. Head to www.dorothysspeedshop.com and register for updates.
Great review thanks much appreciated 👍 would you share the route a camp sites 😉😁
If you watch it again it's pretty much all on there; route and campsites.
Interesting review of the bike there and a good test for it. Seems great value for money! Incidentally, what brand of brown gloves were you wearing at the start of your trip to the ferry and how waterproof were they?
I think they're furygan. To be honest I nabbed them out of lost property down at the speed shop so don't know what model they are. Not waterproof mind
Thanks for the review...looking for a smaller, lighter bike to ga along with my Honda AT just for lanes and local riding. Seems a fine machine.
Can you link in the routes you took down??
do it on the voge 525 dsx pls
It would be nice to hear the engine noise if you managed to record any ? The CRF300 is a good bike. But it is soggy out of the crate and feels very underpowered for road work as you say !
is English mpg the same as US-American?
Slightly different as our gallons have about 4.5 litres and yours have about 3.8, so our MPG figure tends to be higher as a result.
Quick question.... Taking into consideration the mix of trail and road use and not forgetting the inevitable compromise. Would you have preferred a more "enduro" based tyre?
Possibly even a "trials" rear? (I fitted a trials tyre to the back of my old DRZ for greenlaning because I found enduro tyres were causing too much damage).
I think the tyres were spot on for this trip. They last well and give enough grip in the dirt. To be fair there were people on road tyres doing the routes so I think anything would manage it
Probably a much better road/travel bike than my Beta Alp 200 - which I prefer on the Sommeiller. How would it perform on TET UK/Wales? Thanks for your honest opinion, Günter/Nürnberg
Hi sorry for late reply. Yes i think you'd be fine on the TET. Same as a crf300 really. And as you say, better on the road than the beta.
@@nathanthepostman Thanks, gotta see it live at a dealer. And find out if it's too high for my 5"10.
@@enduromotorradtourenI would think it should be ok. I'm 5'9
I have a dr350. How did that bike do?
Sorry for the late reply Steve. Yes no problems. The Dr matched the other bikes no worries at all.
How would you rate it to a bmw gs310. As a second hand bmw can be found cheaper than a new voge.
I like the 310. Very different to the Voge though. Much more road orientated, less off road orientated. So it depends what type of riding you intend to do with it really. If you're staying on the road or with a little bit of gravel track, then 310 is a good bet (or 390 KTM). If you're wanting to use it off road a lot then the Voge makes better sense.
is that a real honda engine i those bikes ?
Kawasaki KLX300 licensed copy
Only thing that puts me off is parts backup
So far parts have been no problem from what people on the UK forums are saying. MotoGB, the importer, seem to have it all in stock and post out within a few days. Parts seem cheap as well.
No problem.
No chinese bike for me.
Chinese crap?
I bought a Himalayan based on your reviews of them, then bought a Morini XCape based on your review & now this! You're bankrupting me! 🤣
Defo the best reviews on here Nathan, you really do know your onions! Great review & great trip 👍
Great review Nathan. I rode the Voge at ABR Festival and it gave me so much confidence on the trail, like you i found myself sitting down more and even drifting the back wheel a little foot out motocross style. I also tested the Transalp on the trail which i found too aggressive on the throttle and the brakes, making for a nervous/stressfull ride.
If i wasn't still so i love with my CB500X I'd have a Voge 300 tomorrow. At £4000 its such a bargain it's almost a disposable bike, i know i lost £7000 value in 5 years on an Explorer 1200. The Explorer made it to the top snow line of Stella Alpina in 2013 but as a solo rider with a heavy bike I never explored any of the other fort trails, maybe next year.
I’m considering a Voge 300 to go with my 500X.
The link in the description is missing Nathan.
A great review and a stunning part of the works, I’ve travelled the Routes des Grandes Alpes many times and I think you touch a section on your trip.
The Voge sounds like a good deal. The Honda is obviously well known and the challenge when comparing value is the Voge is an unknown prospect. Yes, it clearly rides better than the Honda and the huge purchase price difference can’t be ignored but it remains to be seen how well the Voge lasts, what the support looks like after 3 years and resale. I’m sure, with a £2,500 lower price, many will take the risk.
Rural France is absolutely stunning and I'll never take the motorways again, even though they're much quieter than ours!
Yet another informed, unbiased, zero bullshit review/appraisal from Nathan with riding, route, planning and other tips thrown in. One of, if not the best, road testers on the tinternet and totally agree with the MCN comment about, no we don't need all the bollocks the magazine riders seem to 'need' to be able to ride a bike
Hope you review the Kove 450 rally as thoroughly as this.
Some stunning scenery on that trip. Nice one
Excellent! A first class review. I was very impressed by how comprehensively you covered this test. Thanks very much for taking the time to post this
Great review and video clips of the scenery and trails. Well done. 👍
Taking delivery of one very shortly, and the first mod will be braided brake hoses, that should sort the braking issues out. ( For reference I put braided lines on a Honda vt 500 which was famous for its lack of braking ability and it improved the front brake no end.
Just read an MCM review about it, seems like they were on a different bike! Slagged it right off. I'll take your reviews all day long. 👍
How annoyingly BUSY on those teacks! ATV's , cyclists, walkers, other bikes. Hordes of them.... if i go riding i want SOLITUDE!
As for that Voge: kick-ass offering!
Comments after Essais/Test ride
Front brake pretty-much non existent, back brake good
Taller than I remembered;
VERY short gearing, leading to 60 kph at 6000 rpm;
Vibey, like riding a 125cc;
Good handling:cornering on-road; didn’t test off-road;
Not for me.
Firstly that must of been a pretty tough trip tbh . And your a good man for doing your bit . Voge is great news for this segment and the price is bang on. Chinese bikes are coming along nicely, the bikes are now well built and reliable it's just parts backup and limited dealers in some cases that's letting things down.
Excellent review! Good to see the Harley having a go at the trails!!
Very tempting package indeed.
Well, what a great review Nathan. Thank you. I have test ridden this bike and was blown away by how much fun it was to ride. I am in the throws of selling my existing bike and then buying the Voge. Last September I took my Himalayan to the Alps with a friend who was on a CRF 250 Rally. I wouldn't have swapped bikes with him BUT I would swap for the Voge having watched your review. Is there any chance that you could share the route you took with us? A gpx file maybe? We tried to ride some of the trails that Doktor Traktor did on a Guzzi V85tt but we had only limited success in finding the trails, so if you could somehow show the trails that YOU rode, then that would be brilliant. The way you have reviewed this bike is head and shoulders above any other review I have seen of the Voge - so many thanks again. Well done. Cheers, Phil.
Hi Phil. I don't tend to use gpx routes other than for routes I know very well and wouldn't share them publicly - certainly not a trail one - just because everyone has a different level of ability and just following someone's route could leave you in a pickle. But if you google those cols I mentioned in the video you'll be able to thread together a route. it's all on Google maps, even the trails such as the assietta and finestre.
Hi Nathan. Thank you for your reply. Yes, I take your point and see where you're coming from. I tried hard last September to find some of the Doktor Traktor trails but had hoped to do better than we did. Guess it's a case of "Could do better. Must try harder" just like it said in my school report!🤭. Have fun on Dorothy. Cheers, Phil.
Try this website Phil. Great for researching roads in that area...
www.dangerousroads.org/