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Voge DS 625 X in review (Baujahr 2025)

Well-equipped adventure bike for 6,999 euros

29.05.2025

Photos: Motorradtest.de

With the brand-new DS 625 X, Voge is making a big mark in terms of price for mid-range adventure bikes up to 75 hp. The well-equipped touring machine from China is said to cost only 6,999 euros. Reason enough for Lennert and Dietmar to get to the bottom of the matter.

Hot or junk?

Right at the beginning, we want to provide some clarification about the brand: Who or what is Voge? Voge is a brand of the Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Loncin. Loncin has been producing motorcycles since 1999 and builds, among other things, the BMW scooters and the in-line twin engines for the BMW F series. With more than 5,000 employees, the company is one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the world. In China alone, 200 people work in product development for Loncin and Voge (source: Wikipedia).

Last year, Voge already caused a stir with the DS 900 S, which, according to many journalists, is nothing more than a very affordable BMW F850 GS. We were also very impressed with the Voge DS900S in our test. Let's see if Voge can repeat this success with the DS 625 X.

Farbauswahl der DS 625 X: "Desert Yellow" und "Black". Die schwarze mit goldenen Felgen muss es sein!

Farbauswahl der DS 625 X: "Desert Yellow" und "Black". Die schwarze mit goldenen Felgen muss es sein!

Colour selection of the DS 625 X: "Desert Yellow" and "Black". It has to be the black one with gold rims!

Visually, the machine is quite impressive. The front reminds us of a Kawasaki Versys, the rear part reminds us a little of the Triumph Tiger models with the raised rear silencer. The beak at the front, on the other hand, looks like Ducati Multistrada - and the seat is reminiscent of a GS. We also find a bit of V-Strom and Africa Twin, so a bit of everything, so to speak. We find the Voge DS 625 X in black with the golden rims really chic.

Dimensions and seat test

With a length of 2.23 m, the machine is a full-blown adventure bike. The handlebars are wide and comfortably placed close to the rider. Rider and passenger have enough space and it actually feels just as comfortable as on a GS or Tiger. The seat height is a moderately high 845 mm. For Lenny and Dietmar this is just right, but for very small people it could be a little too high. The knee angle is not too acute for us and we also liked the seat in terms of comfort. With this bike you can ride long tours without it getting tiring or your back or buttocks having to complain.

The machine weighs 222 kg with a full tank, which is not too much for an adventure bike of this size. The view to the rear is great, you can see the traffic behind almost completely - very good. The windshield is adjustable in two heights, but this only works when stationary, at least upwards. The levers of the DS 625 X are both adjustable and in general the view towards the cockpit and surroundings is a lot of fun. It all looks high-quality. On the other hand, the permissible total weight of only 389 kg is somewhat disappointing.

That's what it's like to sit on the Voge DS 625 X.

360 degree tour around the Voge DS 625 X

Technology of the DS625X

The cockpit of the Voge DS 625 X consists of a large IPS LC color display. This technology is not quite as bright as LED, but the display is effectively anti-reflective and can also be read easily.

In addition to the usual displays for speed, revs, gear, fuel level, time, ambient temperature, etc., the DS 625 X comes standard with a tire pressure monitor, illuminated switches and separate buttons for traction control and the ABS that can be switched off. The machine also has two driving modes and has a 12V and a USB port at the front of the cockpit. There is also an on-board computer with consumption, battery voltage and remaining range, etc. Unfortunately, there is only no automatic turn signal reset and cruise control.

The light comes entirely in LED technology. A hazard warning light system is available, as well as additional fog lights and noble-looking running light indicators. The buttons make a good impression and the operation of the machine does not pose any puzzles and does not require any training time. Sit on it and drive off is the motto here.

Slim silencer with carbon cover and beautiful two-cylinder sound.

This is how it drives

The sound of the Voge DS 625 X is great! The engine sounds clearly audible and rumbles bassy to itself, typical for an in-line twin. The stainless steel rear silencer with a carbon cover is very attractively designed and not too big. This looks and sounds really good: Soundcheck at the top right.

So, in terms of equipment and seat ergonomics, the Voge DS 625 X cuts a really good figure - now it just has to drive well. Let's see how it fares on the country roads in Schleswig-Holstein. On the first few meters, we immediately get the cozy adventure bike feeling. The relatively short wheelbase for a motorcycle of this type and the not excessively wide tires are noticeable in a very agile riding experience. The machine leans willingly into curves and always remains very stable. This inspires immediate confidence in the bike's capabilities and you feel very confident on the road.

The riding position is not so much front-wheel-oriented as, for example, on many naked bikes, you feel more confident than in an SUV. Both Lenny and Dietmar found the kneeling very pleasant. The wide handlebars also allow for a pleasant feeling of control.

Reihentwin mit 64 PS und 57 Nm Drehmoment

In-line twin with 64 hp and 57 Nm of torque. The copper-colored covers are reminiscent of Honda engines.

The engine has a lot of character and fits the machine like a glove. Almost 64 hp is not the world, but it goes much faster and with more emphasis than on A2 motorcycles with a maximum of 48 hp. Of course, you can't compare the performance of the DS625X with a GS or a Multistrada, but we didn't really miss anything. Somehow, the machine also manages not to make you want to turn the tap like a madman. It feels more like a long journey and relaxed progress - and as we all know, you don't really need 100 hp or more for that.

The adjustable Kayaba suspension also works very well in combination with the Metzeler Tourance tires. The DS625 X is extremely comfortable to drive and completely irons out even the most uneven roads such as level crossings. The suspension may be a little too soft for real heaters, but let's be honest: With 64 hp you rarely heat anyway and so we find the tuning of fork and shock absorber very appropriate. If you want it a little firmer, you can adjust the fork in rebound and compression. We found the standard setup to be just right.

Brakes from Nissin: Front double disc with two 2-piston brake calipers. Brakes well.

We also really liked the brakes. These come from Nissin front and rear and do a good job. During very hard braking, the fork dives deeply, but this does not detract from the good braking performance. The ABS, which can be switched off, intervenes quite early and has very short control intervals. The braking effect of the rear brake is surprisingly good, although only a 1-piston floating caliper on a 240 disc is used here.

Lenny and Dietmar felt differently about the wind protection of the Voge DS 625 X. With the target set high, everything was great for Lenny, with Dietmar there was still perceptible turbulence. The wind pressure on the upper body was low for both, so overall the wind protection is okay. The fact that the disc can only be moved upwards when stationary is a small disadvantage - but it's nice that it can be locked in two positions at all.

The Voge's warranty is two years, and the service is due every 10,000 km or once a year. As competitors we see the following models: Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT / CF-Moto 700 MT / Benelli TRK 702 / Moto Morini X-Cape 650. In other words, the mid-range adventure bikes up to 75 hp, of which, strangely enough, there are not so many at all. Quite clever of Voge to put a cheap alternative in the shops in this increasingly popular segment of not quite so high-displacement touring machines.

Result

Strong, what Voge can do with the DS 625 X for less than 7,000 euros (gross incl. transfer). This adventure bike is made of high quality and offers a lot of good hardware: e.g. an adjustable suspension from Kayaba, Nissin brakes and Metzeler tires - just to name a few things. So the equipment is good and Voge has also thought of a very respectable top-loader pannier set including a top case for only 1,299 euros.

If you're worried that you're standing in front of some Billo bike from China, we can reassure you: The Voge DS 625 X is really well made and offers many pleasing details that are often only available from the competition for an extra charge. Would you like some examples? Engine guard, aluminum engine guard, fog auxiliary lights, tire pressure monitoring, running light indicators, center stand, hand guards, illuminated switches ... everything on board in series - for less than 7,000 euros.

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