Hi Sean. Bit of a late comment, but something you said has stuck in my mind. There is nothing OCD about constantly cancelling your indicators. I do it all the time with absolute deliberation. It's a life saver. Especially on an Enfield with minute warning lights. DON'T STOP. Love the way the small to mid size bike market is expanding. I really think it's the future. The Chinese can see this and are really going for it. This 350 look a real belter. The only problem I have, is I can't own them all. Really nice bike.
Hi Tim, I saw a Voge 650DSX on autotrader this morning brand new for £3790 with full luggage, granted its an unpopular bike and an odd engine choice but for a trip to Africa and back for a brand new bike even if you sold it for half price when you returned... amazing. It was gone off autotrader an hour later 😂. With respect to the indicators. I've been ridiculed for doing it but I don't really care, I'd rather keep an 'odd' habit and stay alive... thanks, Sean
@@MindfulMotorcyclistI rode the 650 DS only a few days ago. The overall bike impressed me, as essentially it is exactly the same engine as the 650 Gold Star, & I wanted a centre stand & LED lights. But the fuel mapping is dramatically different. The DS is massively reined in below 3,000 & barely pulls at all at those rpm. It is stronger at 5,500 at 60 Nm than the Goldie at 4,000, 55 Nm. But the paucity of torque below 3 pretty much negates the entire point of a large single. For example, the Gold Star configuration gives 31 bhp at 4,000. The DS, 46 bhp at 5,500. But the BSA feels a much, much stronger engine at anything below 3,500. They share the same 15.3 mph/1000 in top, so the difference is very noticeable. I'm not sure even a plug in remap could recover the torque deficit. Though I could be wrong.
The problem with the 650DS is that the engine beat and vibration of the 652cc rotax design while characterful on a Goldstar isn't fun blasting down the French autoroute at 80mph for hours on a tour. It's blurred vision and white knuckles. I saw this super cheap 650DS at £3.7k and even at that price I didn't want it. I would be happy to get on on test and perhaps just see how it was might have some redemptive features...
@MindfulMotorcyclist There is a 17T front sprocket available for both bikes, which gives 16.6 mph per 1000. So 65 mph at 4000 might be bearable. 80 at 5000.. Though with the torque deficit of the DS below 3 might make it hard work, needing to stay in the lower gears for longer. I think the Goldstar would handle it beautifully. P.s I'm talking GPS speeds, not speedo.
Hi Sean - the laughter in your voice when you wind it on or chuck it into a bend tells us everything. Clearly this bike is fun and will make an owner glad they bought it. Voge must be chuffed. 👍😎✅❤️
Hi Nigel, thanks for this kind comment. I had a lot of fun on the little bumblebee! I'm even tempted to ask to borrow it again as I know there is low demand for this model from other reviewers!
@MindfulMotorcyclist This Voge engine has exactly the same bore & stroke as the Yamaha R3. 68 mm bore 44.2 mm stroke. I get the sensation from the sound that it's turbine smooth. Would you agree? I was recently checking out Suzuki inazuma videos, as a 2012 one came up for sale with only 400 miles on it, & hadn't been used since 2015. Sadly, I wasn't quite quick enough to get it. The 350 AC looks like an even better prospect.
Just watched this again, as well. The best dash I've seen on any bike. Much nicer than my KTM 390 Duke's. I want one... but there are no Voges in Thailand. Nick
We saw one of these at two wheel tuesday a couple of months ago ...we my mate and I have been riding for many years ....we were very impressed with the fit and finish of the 350 ac so much so we may quietly go and get one they do look quality
Hi Willy, thanks for the comment. These are £3.5k in dealers, can you imagine when they are secondhand in 12 months or so at £2-2.5k, will be such a good buy and little known so I doubt much demand for them...
@exeterrider Do it - I guarantee that you will not be disappointed! It's an absolute little peach of a bike to ride, it's so light, easy and confidence inspiring and the engine is so smooth + the more you rev it the more it wants to go, it will happily scream around to 12,000 Rpm and it's happy doing so day in - day out. It's fluid and engaging and fun.
@@georgekrpan3181 Hi George , Yes I liked that bike , I think they are trying to sell off the last of them now . Honda were selling those 300s before anyone else had a mainstream 300....they should have sold better I think.Thanks for watching : )
I'm starting to realise that frustration already, and in a way, wished I had hung fire on getting my "bigger bike" even though it's not that big. I didn't know that the RE Guerilla was imminent, but I'll await your review and let them bed in before adding a second bike 😂 The Voge does look good fun though. I'm not sure where the summer has gone this evening up here, gusty and grey so I'm stuck in 😢
This is the affliction that gets us Lee! The trouble is they are always bringing out newer and 'better models and particularly in the entry level segment I really like it can be tempting to swap bikes too soon. Marketing teams anf financing deals are always working to get us to part with money. Saying that you also have to go for a bike you like, a missed riding season (even if it is a little cold and blustery) is not worth saving £500-1k, one of the older guys who rides a BSA GS told me that, hanging on to save money and not enjoying the time on two wheels is not a good trade. Made me rethink my approach. I should have kept my original March 23 order for the Goldstar and had the summer riding her instead I got my secondhand in mid Sept 23. With the Guerilla I wouldn't worry to much, it will be a nice bike but I suspect not as mind blowing as the press launch reviews would have you believe. In 12 months all the folk who rushed to get the new bikes will be bored and selling at a loss, you can swoop in. That said you might miss the power of you Kawasaki Twin 650, you know your version is actually more powerful than the newer bikes due to it being euro5 restricted... sorry very long reply...
Sean ! Great ride mate you looked like you were in the groove there and loving a lite bike in the twisties in the real world you would you want to go faster, that bike is growing on me, pity about the can and lack of fixing points around the subframe. …. Pete 🇫🇷
You're spot on about the position of the exhaust can, it's in the way of throw over soft luggage. Grabs rails are also small. If there's an aftermarket exhaust... then it could be fantastic! Cheers, Sean
the trend towards smaller and less expensive bikes is a good thing to get more people into riding ,,, from that they may progress to larger bikes in the future [ like me ] , as larger [ price wise ] bikes are a struggle to sell right now ,,, i don't at all like these modern looking bikes , but , the value and spec of that one is brill , also i don't like modern dash screens , but again = that one is the clearest i have seen on any video of any bike at any price , i can clearly see the gear indicator which i cannot see on a harley even when i'm on it ;;;;
Thanks Richard for the nice comment. I think the headline for me is 165kg and 40hp, amazingly the 40hp is from a 322cc twin. It has a 12 litre tank and is apparently able to achieve 90mpg! Thanks, Sean
Great, chunky-looking bike. Great fatbars, dash. The pegs are not far back, are they? I much prefer its looks to my 390 Duke Mk2, but I prefer singles below 500cc. Nick
Probably the same engine, Christian, as the Voge has a 68 mm bore & 44 mm stroke like the Yamaha. I think the Yamaha is 321 cc & the Voge is 322. The Yamaha is quoted at 42 bhp @10750, & the Voge 41 bhp @10500. Big reduction in price between the two, though!
@@hiyadroogs That's a very interesting suggestion. Voge have a lot of manufacturing connections with BMW but not Yamaha, at least not officially. Hmmmm.
Sean and Suzie, Great video thanks. The more I see of you enjoying the Bumble Bee the more it makes me think this could be a bike for me. What do you think would be the best bike out of the following three: RE 350 Hunter, RE 350 Meteor or Voge 350AC? PS: I think it might be an nice idea to give us all a bike kit update on what you are using at the moment, as I am sure you have a new helmet.
Of those three I would say the Meteor probably. The Voge rides the best but the Meteor is a larger platform more luggage carrying ability and more accessories, more dealers, brand recognition. Basically everything outside of the bike itself leans towards Meteor.
Smaller bikes are easier to get out of the garage. They are easier to park, easier to handle and easier (one would hope!) at the petrol pump! Would you happen to know what the MPG on this models was/is? We do not as yet get Voge in the USA but we do have CFMoto and Benelli (mostly their 125s). Thank you for a nice last look at this Voge. SS in commiefornia, USA.
Voge seem to be second only to CFMoto in the Chinese spectrum. You've ridden a good selection of the current crop of Chinese bikes, so if you had to 'twin' the Chinese manufacturers with their Japanese conterparts, to which one of the big four Japanese factories would Voge be equivalent?
Hi Sean. Bit of a late comment, but something you said has stuck in my mind.
There is nothing OCD about constantly cancelling your indicators. I do it all the time with absolute deliberation. It's a life saver.
Especially on an Enfield with minute warning lights.
DON'T STOP.
Love the way the small to mid size bike market is expanding. I really think it's the future. The Chinese can see this and are really going for it. This 350 look a real belter.
The only problem I have, is I can't own them all. Really nice bike.
Hi Tim, I saw a Voge 650DSX on autotrader this morning brand new for £3790 with full luggage, granted its an unpopular bike and an odd engine choice but for a trip to Africa and back for a brand new bike even if you sold it for half price when you returned... amazing. It was gone off autotrader an hour later 😂. With respect to the indicators. I've been ridiculed for doing it but I don't really care, I'd rather keep an 'odd' habit and stay alive... thanks, Sean
@@MindfulMotorcyclist absolutely
@@MindfulMotorcyclistI rode the 650 DS only a few days ago. The overall bike impressed me, as essentially it is exactly the same engine as the 650 Gold Star, & I wanted a centre stand & LED lights.
But the fuel mapping is dramatically different.
The DS is massively reined in below 3,000 & barely pulls at all at those rpm. It is stronger at 5,500 at 60 Nm than the Goldie at 4,000, 55 Nm. But the paucity of torque below 3 pretty much negates the entire point of a large single.
For example, the Gold Star configuration gives 31 bhp at 4,000. The DS, 46 bhp at 5,500.
But the BSA feels a much, much stronger engine at anything below 3,500. They share the same 15.3 mph/1000 in top, so the difference is very noticeable.
I'm not sure even a plug in remap could recover the torque deficit. Though I could be wrong.
The problem with the 650DS is that the engine beat and vibration of the 652cc rotax design while characterful on a Goldstar isn't fun blasting down the French autoroute at 80mph for hours on a tour. It's blurred vision and white knuckles. I saw this super cheap 650DS at £3.7k and even at that price I didn't want it. I would be happy to get on on test and perhaps just see how it was might have some redemptive features...
@MindfulMotorcyclist There is a 17T front sprocket available for both bikes, which gives 16.6 mph per
1000. So 65 mph at 4000 might be bearable. 80 at 5000..
Though with the torque deficit of the DS below 3 might make it hard work, needing to stay in the lower gears for longer. I think the Goldstar would handle it beautifully.
P.s I'm talking GPS speeds, not speedo.
Hi Sean - the laughter in your voice when you wind it on or chuck it into a bend tells us everything. Clearly this bike is fun and will make an owner glad they bought it. Voge must be chuffed. 👍😎✅❤️
Hi Nigel, thanks for this kind comment. I had a lot of fun on the little bumblebee! I'm even tempted to ask to borrow it again as I know there is low demand for this model from other reviewers!
@@MindfulMotorcyclist - you never know, Voge might let you add it to your stable permanently…
@MindfulMotorcyclist This Voge engine has exactly the same bore & stroke as the Yamaha R3.
68 mm bore 44.2 mm stroke.
I get the sensation from the sound that it's turbine smooth. Would you agree?
I was recently checking out Suzuki inazuma videos, as a 2012 one came up for sale with only 400 miles on it, & hadn't been used since 2015. Sadly, I wasn't quite quick enough to get it.
The 350 AC looks like an even better prospect.
Just watched this again, as well. The best dash I've seen on any bike. Much nicer than my KTM 390 Duke's. I want one... but there are no Voges in Thailand. Nick
We saw one of these at two wheel tuesday a couple of months ago ...we my mate and I have been riding for many years ....we were very impressed with the fit and finish of the 350 ac so much so we may quietly go and get one they do look quality
Hi Willy, thanks for the comment. These are £3.5k in dealers, can you imagine when they are secondhand in 12 months or so at £2-2.5k, will be such a good buy and little known so I doubt much demand for them...
This type of bike looks right up my street. I owned a cb 300r and enjoyed it.
Id like to try this one 👍
@exeterrider Do it - I guarantee that you will not be disappointed! It's an absolute little peach of a bike to ride, it's so light, easy and confidence inspiring and the engine is so smooth + the more you rev it the more it wants to go, it will happily scream around to 12,000 Rpm and it's happy doing so day in - day out. It's fluid and engaging and fun.
@exeterrider I remember those days when you had a CB300R. I had one too at that time. Now on a Vitpilen 401.
@@georgekrpan3181 Hi George , Yes I liked that bike , I think they are trying to sell off the last of them now . Honda were selling those 300s before anyone else had a mainstream 300....they should have sold better I think.Thanks for watching : )
@@aftersales-k3n Yes I'm sure I would enjoy it...just getting hold of one.. Voge are - I think my favourite Chinese brand.
@@exeterrider I only saw one other CB300R in the time that I had mine, 3 1/2 years. Cheers!
Love those evening summer rides with the sun low behind you. 🌞 Not so much fun going the opposite direction though! 😎
Great video buddy 👍 i actually really do like that bike alot!!
Me too, imagine picking one up in 12 months for £2k! 😄😉
I'm starting to realise that frustration already, and in a way, wished I had hung fire on getting my "bigger bike" even though it's not that big. I didn't know that the RE Guerilla was imminent, but I'll await your review and let them bed in before adding a second bike 😂 The Voge does look good fun though. I'm not sure where the summer has gone this evening up here, gusty and grey so I'm stuck in 😢
This is the affliction that gets us Lee! The trouble is they are always bringing out newer and 'better models and particularly in the entry level segment I really like it can be tempting to swap bikes too soon. Marketing teams anf financing deals are always working to get us to part with money. Saying that you also have to go for a bike you like, a missed riding season (even if it is a little cold and blustery) is not worth saving £500-1k, one of the older guys who rides a BSA GS told me that, hanging on to save money and not enjoying the time on two wheels is not a good trade. Made me rethink my approach. I should have kept my original March 23 order for the Goldstar and had the summer riding her instead I got my secondhand in mid Sept 23. With the Guerilla I wouldn't worry to much, it will be a nice bike but I suspect not as mind blowing as the press launch reviews would have you believe. In 12 months all the folk who rushed to get the new bikes will be bored and selling at a loss, you can swoop in. That said you might miss the power of you Kawasaki Twin 650, you know your version is actually more powerful than the newer bikes due to it being euro5 restricted... sorry very long reply...
l love that the bike has a proper pillion seat not an excuse for one, and that ride looked like a lot of fun which biking should be 👍
It was a lot of fun, more fun than the bigger Voge to be fair. Just the upswept exhaust that might be an issue for throw over luggage 🤔
Sean ! Great ride mate you looked like you were in the groove there and loving a lite bike in the twisties in the real world you would you want to go faster, that bike is growing on me, pity about the can and lack of fixing points around the subframe. …. Pete 🇫🇷
You're spot on about the position of the exhaust can, it's in the way of throw over soft luggage. Grabs rails are also small. If there's an aftermarket exhaust... then it could be fantastic! Cheers, Sean
the trend towards smaller and less expensive bikes is a good thing to get more people into riding ,,, from that they may progress to larger bikes in the future [ like me ] , as larger [ price wise ] bikes are a struggle to sell right now ,,, i don't at all like these modern looking bikes , but , the value and spec of that one is brill , also i don't like modern dash screens , but again = that one is the clearest i have seen on any video of any bike at any price , i can clearly see the gear indicator which i cannot see on a harley even when i'm on it ;;;;
Nice one Sean. Love that word "hoponability" 😄 Can you give some specs? Nice review, love the channel
Thanks Richard for the nice comment. I think the headline for me is 165kg and 40hp, amazingly the 40hp is from a 322cc twin. It has a 12 litre tank and is apparently able to achieve 90mpg! Thanks, Sean
Great, chunky-looking bike. Great fatbars, dash. The pegs are not far back, are they? I much prefer its looks to my 390 Duke Mk2, but I prefer singles below 500cc. Nick
Cute bike.
my only concern about bikes like this are spare parts availabilty, a small issue could cause a month wait for a part
Have you ridden an MT-03? If so, how does the Voge compare in terms of refinement?
Nice evening… nice review.
Hi Christian, I'm afraid I haven't ridden this bike no. I can't compare sorry.
Probably the same engine, Christian, as the Voge has a 68 mm bore & 44 mm stroke like the Yamaha. I think the Yamaha is 321 cc & the Voge is 322. The Yamaha is quoted at 42 bhp @10750, & the Voge 41 bhp @10500. Big reduction in price between the two, though!
@@hiyadroogs That's a very interesting suggestion. Voge have a lot of manufacturing connections with BMW but not Yamaha, at least not officially. Hmmmm.
Unfortunately this trend to smaller motorbikes has not yet arrived here in Germany 🙁
Home of the GS?
@@MindfulMotorcyclist that‘s true. Here a motorbike with 800 cc is only seen as midrange
I also love small bikes but being a tall heavy guy they don't usually fit me. I tend to look like a drum on a pea.
@ianhalliwell8604 - I'm 5' 10" and an anorexic, almost waif like 18 stone and it fits me well, the ergonomics are Good... it's well worth a try.
Sean and Suzie, Great video thanks. The more I see of you enjoying the Bumble Bee the more it makes me think this could be a bike for me. What do you think would be the best bike out of the following three: RE 350 Hunter, RE 350 Meteor or Voge 350AC? PS: I think it might be an nice idea to give us all a bike kit update on what you are using at the moment, as I am sure you have a new helmet.
Of those three I would say the Meteor probably. The Voge rides the best but the Meteor is a larger platform more luggage carrying ability and more accessories, more dealers, brand recognition. Basically everything outside of the bike itself leans towards Meteor.
Smaller bikes are easier to get out of the garage. They are easier to park, easier to handle and easier (one would hope!) at the petrol pump! Would you happen to know what the MPG on this models was/is?
We do not as yet get Voge in the USA but we do have CFMoto and Benelli (mostly their 125s). Thank you for a nice last look at this Voge.
SS in commiefornia, USA.
Voge seem to be second only to CFMoto in the Chinese spectrum. You've ridden a good selection of the current crop of Chinese bikes, so if you had to 'twin' the Chinese manufacturers with their Japanese conterparts, to which one of the big four Japanese factories would Voge be equivalent?
I like these 350s but I don't like the cut off rear end. I want a proper mudguard. Can you get one for it??
Probably not would be my first guess...