At the beginning of the year, we tested the Voge 300AC here at Motociclismo, a single-cylinder naked bike that we thought was a lot of fun. Almost a year later, we went to see the 350AC, equipped with a 2-cylinder engine and with a more premium look. Is the €1,000 difference worth it?
Several Voge models have passed through our hands here at Motociclismo, and in almost every case we’ve found well-built bikes with no major “flaws”, as well as almost always having a benchmark retail price. The trail models have been the most sought-after by the public, particularly the brand new 525DSX, but if you’re not already familiar with the premium brand from Chinese manufacturer Loncin, it’s worth checking out the bikes on the brand’s official website or at national dealerships. The ranges are varied, with adventure, naked, classic, scooter and electric models, and the price/quality ratio is surprising on most of them.
MORE POWERFUL AND MORE… EVERYTHING
When we rode the 300AC, with its neo-retro lines, we particularly liked the fun engine, the dynamics of the whole and of course the fantastic price (€3,787), but on the other hand we thought it was too small and had some ergonomic flaws in terms of comfort for users of medium to large stature. And we also felt that the 300AC deserved more complete instrumentation and some more modern finishes.
Well, the small 300AC is still on the market, but now we find a 350AC alongside it in the range, more aesthetically pleasing and more modern in many ways. The engine has gained more displacement, one more cylinder, and with that the numbers are different too. Power has gone up from 28.5 to 40.7 hp, while maximum torque has risen from 23 to 31 Nm, and, according to the brand, curb weight has even dropped on the most powerful model, from 170 to 165 kg. Aesthetically, the changes are also evident, even if we would have preferred to have tested the yellow version, which is much more attractive than this “dull” gray one. In terms of philosophy, this 350AC is also a neo retro, which can be ridden with an A2 license, but ergonomically it is better designed for riders and passengers of all statures. The seat is wider and more upright, so the driver can reach back a little if necessary, and the passenger also follows more comfortably, with a good seat and safety grips.
EQUIPMENT
This model also stands out in aesthetic terms with its beautiful full LED headlight and matching rear light, raised exhaust tip and double-arm rims. It has a Bosch fuel injection system, the clutch is slippery and curiously the braking system has “lost” a disc at the front compared to the 300AC, but overall everything seems a little more robust on the larger model. The frame is a multi-tubular steel structure, and the bike also features an inverted fork at the front and a rear monoshock with preload adjustment. The wheels are 17” and the instrumentation is also a clear step up in quality from the 300, with a new 5-inch color LCD panel that is, however, less informative than we expected. Next to this is the traditional USB port for charging electronic devices.
THE BEST Price, aesthetics and ergonomics, high-revving engine
TO BE IMPROVED Driving sensations, simple instrumentation
AND ON THE MOVE… IS IT WORTH IT?
Well, we have to start by saying that, even though it’s 1000 euros more expensive than the 300AC, this 350 is still a very affordable bike! What’s more, with the 5-year warranty that Voge continues to give its products, the best way to convince the most skeptical that there’s no point in distrusting the reliability of this brand’s bikes.
In person – with the exception of the color, which doesn’t really suit it – this bike wins in terms of overall appearance over the 300, although some prefer the more “authentic” look of the bike that was launched first, less “plasticky”. But in terms of ergonomics, the latest model doesn’t stand a chance and is clearly better thought out. And when riding? Well, we haven’t ridden a single-cylinder in a long time, but from what we remember, the 300 was much livelier and more fun than the bike in this article, although perhaps less efficient. Above all, this two-cylinder doesn’t guarantee a lot of thrills, especially at low engine speeds or at touring pace. The muffled exhaust doesn’t help the sensations, but right from the start we liked the very light clutch, the operation of the gearbox and the feel of the brakes, even without adjusting the distance between the lever and the handle. The braking power, which now has one less disc at the front, is also unremarkable, and the suspension manages to absorb irregularities well as long as the road surface isn’t too degraded. In other words, as a bike for new two-wheelers, this 350AC is perfectly adequate. And for other riders?
IT’S FAST AFTER ALL
Despite our initial misgivings, we ended up having a lot of fun riding this bike. This is because at higher speeds the engine turns out to be quite strong, while in a cornering area you can go quite quickly and safely, with the Cordial suspension and tires keeping everything under control. You can see that the front end is a little light, but it’s not unstable (unless you provoke the handlebars), and on the highway this bike has topped 165 km/h, which is really interesting. The instrumentation is very nice, especially at night with the contrast of light, but it’s a shame not to add some more information, and at the end of this test we were convinced of this bike’s capabilities.
We still say that the single-cylinder 300AC is more fun to ride, but this 350 is faster, more comfortable and more complete, in other words, an evolution within Voge’s range of classic models, and there are a few more to come. And since there are no major differences in consumption between the two ACs we’ve been talking about, with averages of around 4 liters at 100, we can conclude by saying that the single-cylinder will be perfect for city use, where the engine’s agility and lively response (and beautiful exhaust sound) will please. For a more demanding user with a taller stature, but who also wants a motorcycle in the A2 range, the 350 could be ideal, with good performance and a very friendly price!