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Review: The Voge DS900X Offers Everything You Need!

Whenever we buy a new car, a lot of us are under the assumption that the brand that we buy the car from has in fact built the car. But more often than not, that is not the case.

At a global level, companies like Magna Steyr are responsible for the assembly of vehicles for major brands. Based in Austria, Magna Steyr is an engineering and assembly company, among others. And it builds cars for the likes of Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and others.

In Malaysia, there are companies that do that as well with companies like Inokom, DRB-Hicom, UMW, Sime and other conglomerates whose assembly plants are used to build cars for the likes of Honda, Toyota, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

So when you buy a car, the brand that you buy from may have designed it, engineered it, specified it, and even tested it, but the final product is probably built by an entirely different company.

This company would have also trained the assembly staff and ensured that its standards are complied with.

This is also quite common in the motorcycling industry, especially now with the Chinese juggernaut being capable of producing just about anything the heart desires.

CFMoto, one of the greatest motorcycle brands to come out of China, builds motorcycles for KTM. Other Chinese manufacturers like ZongShen build certain models for the Piaggio group while Harley-Davidson collaborates with QianJiang to build the X350 and the X500.

We recently visited China at the invitation of MForce Bike Holdings, the local importer, assembler and distributor of several brands including CFMoto,SYM, Benelli, QJMotor and a host of other brands.

We visited a few factories but for this article we will focus on Loncin Holdings.

Who is Loncin?

The company has been around since 1993 which is when it developed its first motorcycle engine. Five years later, the company introduced its first motorcycle any by 2005, it had reached an agreement with BMW to assemble motorcycles for the German powerhouse in China.

Since then, Loncin has produced well over 35,000 motorcycles for BMW, which includes the twin-cylinder models such as the F900R and XR and earlier models like the G650 and so on.

Loncin also produces some BMW scooters, namely the C400X and the C400GT.

It also produces about two million motorcycles and three million motorcycle engines a year. Not just that, it also produces components for some European car companies as well.

Today, the company employs about 10,000 people and has launched its own brand – Voge.

The story of Voge

Established in 2018, Voge was introduced by Loncin to cater for upmarket buyers. The company introduced its own single-cylinder adventure bike back in 2017, and that was powered by the same 652cc, single-cylinder engine that powered the old BMW G650 GS.

It began its journey with the 300AC and the 500R, and ever since then, Voge has been on a march to dominate the motorcycling world.

Its modus operandi? Transfer everything it has learnt from assembling high-end BMWs and make them more affordable for the masses to enjoy. And it has worked brilliantly!

Since the brands introduction, Voge is already available in over 60 countries with over 1500 retail stores. In fact, Voge boasts a cumulative sale of close to 430,000 units from 2018 to 2024 alone.

Enter the Voge DS900X

This is the true game changer, not only for Loncin but also for MForce.

You would not be wrong to think that the Voge DS900X is basically a watered-down version of the BMW F900 which, as mentioned, is produced by Loncin.

But it is a lot more than just a watered-down BMW, because it offers almost everything that the BMW offers, is powered by an engine that is said to have 90% of the same components as the BMW, and yet is priced at an unbelievable RM49,998.

It was launched in Malaysia this past February and MForce already has a couple dozen bookings for the DS900X.

That is unsurprising though because after spending some time with it in China recently, we would be more surprised if it didn’t do well.

What makes it so good?

Besides the fact that it does everything the BMW does but for about a third of the price, the DS900X is one of those motorcycles that seems to have it all.

You want a colourised TFT instrument cluster? You got it. You want a bike with cruise control? Sure! You want a big tank and power? Why not?

It is simply difficult to fault the DS900X. As far as the spec sheet goes at least.

On the topic of the spec sheet, let’s get the details out of the way first before we dive into how the bike feels.

Powering the dual-purpose bike is an 895cc, twin-cylinder, four-stroke and eight valves engine. It delivers an impressive 94hp at 8250rpm and 95Nm of torque from just 6000rpm.

As mentioned earlier, the Voge DS900X is loosely based on the BMW F900 series, and in fact shares major engine components as well. In the BMW, the same 895cc engine produces 105hp at 8500rpm and 93Nm of torque from 6750rpm.

There is no way that Loncin would have outshone BMW, so the slight detune is understandable.

But what the Voge loses out on power, it makes up for with a bigger thank, measuring in at 17-litres over the 14.5-litres of the BMW F900 GS.

We will stop the BMW references over here though since the Voge DS900X should be treated as its own brand and bike, thought the transfer of knowledge from years of building BMWs definitely helps.

The suspension of the DS900X is supplied by Kayaba (KYB) and is made up of upside-down telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock for the rear, but of which are adjustable for pre-load and damping.

As for handling, the front wheel measures in at 21-inches while the rear at 17-inches, a clear nod to the dual-purpose market this Voge wants to operate in.

Stopping power on the other hand will probably grip you the hardest because the front two discs measure in at 305mm with Brembo callipers together with Cornering ABS. The rear disc measures in 265mm gripped by a Brembo calliper as well. An electronic safety net in the form of a traction control system is also present, as is a tyre pressure monitoring system to ensure grip is always at its optimum.

As for electronic safety nets, the DS900X also offers four riding modes – rain, road, sport and enduro, each of which adjusts the electronic parameters such as power delivery and traction control to ensure maximum fun and safety in all situations.

Fun is further factored in with the quick shifter system, which is offered as standard and the fact that you get it as standard while some premium brands charge you upwards of RM3,000 for it is truly remarkable for a bike of this price point.

Other notable features include a keyless start system, seven-inch full-colour TFT display, front dashcam that is neatly tucked away into the body work, LED lights all around, dual USB charging ports, heated grips and seat, and an adjustable windscreen (manual).

So, how does it ride?

Let’s make one thing clear before we dive into this topic, after the factory tour to show how Loncin builds the BMW products as well as the Voge products, we were taken for lunch and then to the test track.

The oval track is roughly about a kilometre long, with some obstacles thrown in for good measure. Riding around in circles isn’t exactly the best way to tell how the bike feels like, but we have been promised more seat time later.

But as a first impression, power delivery is ballistic in nature though most of the power is produced on the opposite side of the power band. Braking power can only be described as face morphing while the suspension remains stable under heavy braking, yet does a spectacular job at soaking up bumps, which is not exactly surprising considering that it is supplied by KYB.

Low speed balance is quite good as well, which is important for a dual-purpose bike that weighs in at 238kg.

The quick shifter works like a charm, while the seat is placed 835mm off the ground, which is great for medium to tall builds.

According to the spec sheet, the DS900X also comes with a blind spot monitoring system, though we were unable to put this system to the test. But the fact that it exists put the other premium motorcycle makers to shame because to date, the only two motorcycles to offer it are the Ducati Multistrada V4S and the BMW R1300GS. Both of which are priced well past RM120,000.

Even the overall quality seems good, but only time will tell how the Voge DS900X stands the ultimate test of adventure riding in the hands of pros.

Should you put your money down?

As a brand, Voge still has a lot to do to build its reputation against other brands like CFMoto, and even the Japanese competitors. But there is no doubt that the DS900X has plenty to offer.

For those on a budget, the DS900X makes a lot of sense. And even for those with money, why spend more when you can buy a Voge DS900X for just under RM50,000 and spend the rest of it on an epic adventure. Isn’t that the true essence of buying a dual-purpose machine?

Specifications:
Engine: 895cc, Twin-cylinder, DOHC,
Power: 94hp @ 8250rpm
Torque: 95Nm @ 6250rpm
Transmission: Six-speed with quickshifter
Suspension: Kayaba front and back, adjustable for pre-load and damping
Price (As tested): RM49,998

We like: Offers everything that most premium brands offer
We don’t like: Difficult to fault

Produksi Kove RR500 Dijangka Mula dalam Masa Terdekat

Nampaknya segmen sportbike 400cc hingga bawah 500cc semakin hangat. Pada masa ini hanya terdapat satu pengeluar utama dalam kategori itu, iaitu Kawasaki dengan Ninja ZX-4RR mereka dan ia akan bersaing dengan sportbike China tidak lama lagi. Yang terbaru ialah Kove RR500.

Tetapi sebelum itu, siapa Kove? Kove ialah jenama mewah di bawah naungan Loncin. Loncin telah membuat enjin untuk siri motosikal BMW C- dan F- sejak 2005.

Kove telah agresif dalam mengejar segmen off-road dengan menyertai Rali Dakar. Pelaburan mereka telah berjaya setakat ini, kerana ketiga-tiga motosikal Kove yang mengambil bahagian pada tahun lepas sempat menamatkan perlumbaan. Oleh itu, Kove menjadi pengeluar China pertama yang mempunyai semua motosikal mereka melengkapkan rali pada percubaan pertama mereka. Maklumlah, Rali Dakar 2023 dianggap paling sukar dalam sejarah. Sejak itu Kove telah membina pengedar di seluruh Eropah.

Kembali ke Kove RR500, Voge mendedahkan motosikal empat silinder RR660S mereka pada bulan September, tetapi nampaknya, mereka turut mempunyai satu lagi enjin empat silinder sebaris 475cc yang yang baru sahaja diluluskan untuk pengeluaran. Motosikal itu, diberi nama kod LX500GS-2 mengikut dokumen kelulusan jenis, akan dipasarkan sebagai RR500. Kuasa enjin didedahkan sebagai 76hp, sepadan dengan Kawasaki ZX-4RR. Kelajuan tertinggi yang didakwa ialah 220km/j.

Butiran lain termasuk berat basah 192kg dengan tangki minyak yang penuh. Kerangkanya adalah keluli dengan lengan ayun aluminium. Fork mempunyai jenama Voge. Bagi brek hadapan, dua gambar itu menunjukkan dua kaliper brek berbeza: Motosikal yang berwarna oren memakai kaliper empat piston daripada Nissin, manakala motosikal kuning/biru mempunyai kaliper yang mirip jenis Sumitomo yang dipasang pada Yamaha R1.

Jenama Kove tidak berada di Malaysia buat masa ini mungkin disebabkan oleh barisan model yang lebih menekankan model-model off-road, tetapi siapa tahu apa yang akan datang pada masa hadapan kan?

Voge 900 DS Bakal Masuk Malaysia, Jangkaan Februari 2024

Jenama Loncin mungkin masih asing di Malaysia namun pengeluar motosikal China itu merupakan pihak bertanggungjawab menghasilkan enjin bagi beberapa model BMW antaranya C 400 X, C 400 GT, F 850 GS, F 900 R, F 900 XR dan terbaru F 900 GS.

Senario itu secara tak langsung membuktikan kemampuan Loncin dalam menghasilkan enjin yang bukan sahaja berkuasa malah berkualiti dan dipercayai jenama motosikal Jerman itu.

Menariknya, Loncin menerusi jenama premium Voge turut memperkenalkan motosikal ‘adventure’ serba baharu, Voge 900 DS yang mengguna pakai enjin sama dibekalkan kepada BMW bagi F 900 GS.

Terbaru, kami diberitahu bahawa Voge 900 DS itu akan turut memasuki Malaysia pada 2024 menerusi MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd. Menurut sumber, motosikal ‘adventure’ itu akan memasuki pasaran tempatan sekitar Februari dan bakal menjadi model sulung dari Voge yang akan dipasarkan disini.

Pada masa sama, kami juga diberitahu sasaran awal adalah untuk model ‘adventure’ ini dipasarkan pada harga bawah RM60k.

Untuk rekod, Voge 900 DS dikuasakan enjin parallel-twin 895cc dengan sistem penyejukan cecair yang berupaya menghasilkan 96.5hp dan 87Nm. Kuasa pula disalurkan kepada tayar belakang menerusi transmisi manual 6-kelajuan yang dibantu sistem ‘quickshifter’.

Seperti model BMW F 900 R/XR dan GS, 900 DS ini juga menawarkan pakej elektronik yang lengkap termasuk:

throttle-by-wire
panel meter TFT
cruise control
heated grip/seat

Voge 900 DS ini juga dlengkapi dengan kelengkapan premium termasuk sistem suspensi boleh laras, pencahayaan LED penuh dengan DRL (daytime running light), brek Brembo dan ABS dwi-saluran.

Buat masa ini belum ada pengumuman rasmi dari pihak MForce namun kami akan bawakan perkembangan lanjut dari masa ke masa.

AW Introduces 500 N and 500 R In China

China’s motorcycle manufacturing landscape continues to evolve with the emergence of new brands aiming to make their mark.

AW is a relatively unknown name that has recently stepped into the spotlight by unveiling its inaugural offerings – the 500 N and 500 R motorcycles in China.
the 500 N and 500 R makes a commendable 45hp and tips the scale at 186kg.

Although a newcomer, AW has quickly captured attention since its debut at a trade fair in China back in 2021. The brand’s debut models, the 500 N and 500 R, share a common platform but boast distinct styling elements.

Both motorcycles are powered by engines sourced from Chinese manufacturer Loncin, presenting a parallel-twin configuration reminiscent of Honda’s renowned engine architecture.

Performance-wise, the AW 500 series packs a punch with a commendable 45 horsepower output, placing it on par with other contenders in the entry-level segment. Weighing in at a manageable 186 kilograms, these bikes offer an accessible riding experience suitable for a diverse range of riders.

Setting itself apart, AW has equipped the 500 N and 500 R models with premium underpinnings. The front suspension features adjustable inverted forks, while the rear employs an adjustable link-type shock. Braking capabilities are enhanced with dual disc brakes boasting radially mounted four-piston calipers.

In sync with modern trends, AW’s new offerings embrace technology with a sizable full-color display, hinting at possible Bluetooth connectivity. The two models diverge in their aesthetics – the 500 R embracing a traditional fully-faired sportbike design, while the 500 N takes cues from premium modern classics, infusing sporty angles with a touch of retro flair.

Voge Valico 525 DSX Adventure Motorcycle Lands In Europe

After successfully penetrating the European market with a beginner-friendly naked and neo retro motorcycle, Voge, a premium sub-brand of Chinese motorcycle manufactuer, Loncin, now breached out to middleweight capacity adventure bike, with the all-new Valico 525 DSX.

Voge Valico 525 DSX is an A2-compliant adventure motorcycle.
The Valico 525 DSX will go up against Honda’ CB500X and Benelli’s TRK 502 X.

The Valico 525 DSX features a 494cc parallel-twin with liquid-coole and fuel-injected engine that makes 47hp on tap, similar to the Honda CB500X.

That said, the Valico 525 DSX is designed as a A2-compliant motorcycle making it a suitable option for younger riders.

Similar to modern day ADV machine, the Voge Valico 525 DSX is fitted with inverted front forks with long-travel suspension at the front and adjustable monoshock at the rear.

However, while the rest of its competitors features alloy wheels, the Valico 525 DSX gets tubeless wire-spoke wheels measuring 19-inch front and 17-inch at the back.

In addition, the motorcycle also equipped with traction control and ABS – which can be switched off for off-road riding – selectable Eco and Sport mode and a full colour 7-inch TFT display with built-in navigation system.

This inadvertently puts the Voge Valico 525 DSX as a strong contender in the 500cc category, going up against the CB500X and Benelli TKR 502 X.

2023 Voge 900 DS Adventure Bike First Look

You might not be familiar with the Loncin brand, but it is the firm responsible for manufacturing the engine for BMW’s C 400 X, C 400 GT, F 850 GS, F 900 R and F 900 XR.

Loncin rolls out Voge the new 900DS adventure at EICMA.
The Voge 900DS features a similar powertrain to BMW’s F 900 XR, producing close to 100hp and 92Nm.

Loncin and BMW have been working together for years now, similar to CFMOTO’s partnership with KTM.

While it may took a while for Loncin, through its premium Voge brand, to work on its own motorcycle range but the 900 DS adventure motorcycle is officially here.

Using the BMW commissioned engine, the Voge 900 DS is fitted with the same engine as the BMW F900 R/XR, an 895cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, parallel-twin that pumps out 96.5hp and 87Nm.

Power is sent to the rear wheel via a 6-speed manual transmission regulated by an up/down quickshifter as standard.

Similar to its BMW counterpart, the Voge 900DS features a host of electronics including throttle-by-wire system. Information related to the motorcycle can be accessed via a full-colour TFT display.

Other handy features include:

USB port.
cruise control.
heated grips and heated seats.
complete aluminium side and top case.

In addition, the 900DS also features some premium components including fully adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes and dual-channel ABS.

As a standard adventure capable motorcycle, the 900DS is fitted with 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels as standard. While the 825mm seat height is impressive, the Voge 900DS is noticeably heavy at 220kg.

Voge To Launch An Adventure-Type Motorcycle At EICMA

You might not be familiar with the Loncin brand, but it is the firm responsible for manufacturing the engine for BMW’s C 400 X, C 400 GT, F 850 GS, F 900 R and F 900 XR.

Loncin to roll out Voge 900DS adventure motorcycle in November.
The Voge 900DS features a similar powertrain to BMW’s F 900 XR, producing close to 100hp and 92Nm.

Loncin and BMW have been working together for years now, similar to CFMOTO’s partnership with KTM.

That said, it took a while for Loncin, through its premium Voge brand, to work on its own motorcycle range using the BMW-commissioned engine.

However, things are about to change as Voge is scheduled to introduce an adventure-type motorcycle, dubbed the Voge 900DS, soon.

The Voge 900DS – presumably refers to as Dual Sport – is like to share the same parallel-twin engine as the F 900 XR. While further details regarding the powertrain remain scarce, it’s almost sure to be an 895cc parallel-twin unit.

Having said that, it is likely to produce close to 100hp and 92Nm, similar to the BMW F 900 XR.

Looking at the leak photos, the Voge 900DS looks inspired not just by the F 850 GS bodywork but also by some aspect of Triumph’s Tiger 900 range, specifically the front fascia.

Nonetheless, it looks well-built, and the slim subframe gives off an aggressive and rugged look.

While not much is disclosed regarding the new motorcycle, the Voge 900DS is expected to break cover at EICMA in November.

Loncin Latest Voge 500AC Looks Suspiciously Familiar – But Is It Any Good?

Loncin is another respected Chinese brand that has been around for years.

Their capabilities in producing a proper engine resulted in BMW Motorrad tying up a deal with the Chongqing-based company to produce an engine for the new F 750 GS, F 850 GS, including the C 400 X and C 400 GT.

Recently, Loncin unveiled their own updated version of their popular retro-styled motorcycle, Voge 500AC.

To our surprise, the updated model bear a resemblance to the newly introduce Triumph Trident 600.

Not exactly a direct copy; instead, the Voge 500AC is tangible proof that the current demographics (significantly younger riders) are in love with a retro-styled motorcycle.

Benelli Leoncino 500 and CFMoto 700CL-X are one of many Chinese made retro-styled motorcycle built to attract younger customers.

The updated Voge 500AC retains its 471cc parallel-twin engine (a similar powerplant found on the Honda CB500X) capable of producing a healthy 48hp @ 8,500rpm and 47Nm @ 7,000rpm. Loncin also claimed the motorcycle capable of reaching a top speed of 160km/h.

Despite all the similarities mentioned, the Voge 500AC does come with commendable features, which include:

dual-channel ABS
fully adjustable KYB inverted fork and mono-shock
full-colour TFT display with smartphone connectivity
Nissin callipers mated to a 298mm and 240mm front and rear brake disc

The Loncin Voge 500AC is currently available in China for CNY34,980 (RM22,100), while its competition, CB500X and the Benelli Leoncino 500, cost more than that.

The Loncin Voge 500AC might sound like an air-conditioned product, but it has the looks and certainly the features to become a proper motorcycle to compete against the rest in its segment.

Cagiva Akan Dilahirkan Semula Sebagai Pengeluar Motosikal Elektrik

Jenama motosikal yang pernah terkenal pada suatu ketika, Cagiva, akan kembali semula dengan memperkenalkan beberapa jentera baharu.

Bagaimanapun, Cagiva akan dilahirkan semula sebagai syarikat motosikal elektrik seperti yang dilaporkan electrek.co.

Ditubuhkan pada 1978, Cagiva menempah nama selaku pengeluar motosikal Itali yang popular namun beberapa kali melalui penstrukturan semula sebelum menjadi anak syarikat milik MV Agusta.

Tahun 2012 merupakan tahun akhir Cagiva menghasilkan model baharu.

Sementara itu, MV Agusta sendiri turut bergelut dengan masalah kewangan namun kembali stabil dibawah pimpinan Presiden Timur Sardarov.

Tatkala masa depan MV Agusta tampak positif, mereka kini bercadang untuk melibatkan diri dalam penghasilan motosikal elektrik dan berniat menghidupakan jenama Cagiva sebagai pelopor utama syarikat dalam arena itu.

Difahamkan, Cagiva akan memperkenalkan jentera elektrik baharu dalam tempoh 12 bulan akan datang.

Baru-baru ini, Sardarov mendedahkan pihaknya akan menjalinkan kerjasama dengan syarikat berpangkalan di China, Loncin, dalam menghasilkan jentera MV Agusta 350cc.

Pada masa sama, Loncin turut memperkenalkan sebuah jentera elektrik, VOGE ER 10 yang diperkenalkan kepada umum di EICMA 2019.

Mungkin kerjasama ini sedikit sebanyak akan menyumbang kepada penghasilan jentera elektrik oleh Cagiva? Kongsikan pendapat anda.

(SUMBER: electrek.co)

MV Agusta Partners Loncin to Produce 350cc to 500cc Motorcycles in China

MV Agusta partners with the Loncin Motor Company.
They will launch a four-model lineup, ranging between 350cc to 500cc.
The bikes will be designed in Italy and built in China.

MV Agusta partners with the Loncin Motor Company to launch a four-model lineup, ranging between 350cc to 500cc. The bikes will be designed in Italy and built in China,and expected to hit dealer showrooms by 2021.

The partnership will go further than small capacity bikes. MV’s Castiglioni Research Centre (CRC) will design 800cc bikes for Loncin’s high-end brand called Voge.

Partnerships of Western and Chinese manufacturers are becoming the norm lately, but it’s still a bit of a surprise to learn that MV Agusta is doing so, too. The move is surprising because MV Agusta has always been the – if not one of – Italy’s premium motorcycle manufacturers. We can probably hear current owners screaming sacrilegio (sacrilege) or infamia (infamy).

But think about this: Some Chinese manufacturers unabashedly knock off the designs of famous motorcycles, then build them with the quality of rice paper. We’ve seen copies of BMWs, Ducatis, even the Honda Gold Wing!

Suing the manufacturers who copy the designs take long periods of time and cost lots of money. For example, the case of Lambretta versus a Chinese manufacturer who copied the former’s bikes. Even then, Chinese makers seem to be immune from such intellectual property laws in their country.

Therefore, it may be easier for Western makers to join forces with their Chinese counterparts.

Loncin DS8 2018 – Memperkenalkan BMW G 650 GS “China”!

Pengeluar motosikal China, Loncin, telah memperkenalkan motosikal kembara kelas pertengahan mereka yang digelar Loncin DS8 2018.
Melihat pada pakej keseluruhannya, motosikal DS8 ini mempunyai banyak persamaan apabila dibandingkan dengan motosikal BMW G 650 GS yang telah dihentikan pengeluarannya.
Dijana oleh enjin dwi silinder 651cc yang sama, motosikal DS8 ini dikatakan akan menghasilkan 50hp dan 50Nm tork.

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Loncin HR7 500 2018 – Klon Honda CB500F Dari China?

Pengeluar motosikal China, Loncin, telah melancarkan motosikalnya yang pertama iaitu Loncin HR7 500 2018.
Berdasarkan pada rekaan motosikal itu serta spesifikasi keseluruhannya, ianya amat menyerupai motosikal Honda CB500F termasuklah pada angka kuasa dan torknya yang pada 47hp dan 44Nm.
Belum ada lagi berita tentang bila Loncin HR7 500 ini akan boleh didapati di pasaran kerana ianya baru sahaja diumumkan semasa China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition 2017 (CIMA Motor Show).

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