What a difference the first service has made. It’s often the case that getting everything back within tolerance improves a bike’s feel – and having ticked off that milestone, the Voge DS900X feels much better.
Being able to exploit the full rev range feels superb, and Sport mode – which previously felt ferociously unrefined – is now far more usable. The traction control is still too intrusive when driving hard out of corners, though. The award for most improved component goes to the quickshifter, which has gone from stiff, clunky and best avoided to slick and precise. It’s now as good as most others I’ve used.
With the Voge seemingly set free, I planned my first two-wheeled trip to Europe in 10 years and crossed the Channel to explore France.
Most of this month’s mileage came from a four-day trip to Alsace, where the DS proved a highly competent and comfortable tourer through the forests and mountains of the Lorraine Plateau and Vosges.
The regions are incredible biking territory, and most of the time the DS was a great partner for the ride. It handles well and delivers its 95bhp in a pleasing manner.
While it ran perfectly throughout – consecutive 10-hour riding days in a heatwave are a solid test – an intermittent engine warning light (each time clearing with a few ignition cycles) and a dash warning for electronic fuel injection failure were concerning.
The bike has been back at HQ for investigation since we got home. But before you scoff dismissively at the Voge’s origin, bear in mind it’s been far more reliable than the big-bucks KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo it shares the 2026 long-term test fleet with.
Occasional warning lights aside, other small niggles unfortunately continue. The key fob stopped working, so I couldn’t get the steering lock off or start it. A new battery solved that, but not what you expect on a bike that’s a few months old. I now keep a spare battery in the top box in case.
The DS has a 1080p front ‘ dashcam ’, but it’s not immediately obvious how it operates. Online guidance suggested downloading the Voge Global app, but on signing up I was rewarded with the message that it wasn’t authorised by my dealer. I installed a MicroSD card in the DVR unit under the seat anyway (which is really awkward to access) and noticed the ‘REC’ indicator flashing constantly while riding.
The system records continuous one-minute clips until the memory card is full, then overwrites the oldest files on a loop. The camera button on the left handlebar acts as a shutter for still images. I’d hoped to use it to film some of the superb riding, and while the quality is acceptable for evidence if needed (or possible incrimination!), it lacks context when you can’t see the bike. I wouldn’t expect to be uploading HD holiday footage to YouTube .
For budget travel convenience I bought a rucksack that’s the exact right size for Ryanair cabin luggage. It also happens to be the exact right size for the Voge’s larger, left-side aluminium pannier and makes a perfect liner for carrying overnight kit into your hotel room after a long ride.
Group Art Director - Steve rejoined the MCN team in 2023 and has 20 years experience working in the publishing industry. He originally joined MCN as junior designer in 2003 after achieving a distinction level Higher National Diploma in Graphic design and Advertising. During his career, Steve has worked on numerous publications and projects including sister title RiDE, and launching Bike and Built magaz…