Is the Voge Valico DS900X a Viable ADV Alternative?

[advrider]

Last year, we engaged in some wild speculation that Chinese manufacturer Loncin, who already makes the engines for the BMW F900 GS, might be considering using this engine in a midsize adventure bike of their own. Some spy shots gave some credibility to this theory, and that it would be badged under the Voge banner, Loncin’s premium brand. Speculation is no longer required. Voge revealed the Valico DS900X at EICMA, which looks basically the same as the bike we saw last year, which we called the 900 DS at the time.

According to RideApart, the Valico DS900X uses the same 895 cc parallel-twin engine that Loncin builds for BMW, just as we suspected. It makes 93.8 horsepower and 66.5 pound-feet of torque. This is slightly less than the 105 horsepower and 68.5 pound-feet that BMW lists in their F900 GS specs. Perhaps a slight detuning was required for BMW to allow Voge to use this engine? It also has four selectable ride modes, which control ABS and traction control settings (they can not be turned on and off individually), as well as an electronic quick shifter for the six-speed transmission.

The Voge Valico DS900X looks to be a serious contender in the midsize ADV segment. Its inverted front fork, 21-inch front wheel with 90/90 semi-knobby tire, and matching 17-inch rear wheel with a 150/70 tire, are exactly what we’d expect from similar premium ADV bikes. So are the dual Brembo brakes in front and single disc in back.

As promising as this bike looks, don’t expect to see it in North America. It appears to be geared directly toward BMW’s home market in Europe, and will likely be available in Asia as well. There’s no word on the price yet, but expect it to undercut BMW and the other Euro competition by a significant amount.

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