Multi-purpose enduro Voge 300 Rally: New impetus for the light class
A brand from China is jumping on the trend towards light enduro bikes in Europe and offers a reasonably priced alternative with the well-equipped Voge 300 Rally.
(Image: Voge)
- Ingo Gach
They still exist, the lightweight, off-road capable and affordable single-cylinder enduro bikes. The best-selling of this type in our country is the Honda CRF 300 Rally, but it is now facing stiff competition from the Chinese brand Voge. This is a label of the motorcycle manufacturer Loncin, which became known in our country for producing in-line two-cylinder engines for BMW.
Like many Chinese models, the Voge 300 Rally – now – has an attractive, lively design. It looks light and gives hope of low weight, which is a great advantage off-road. According to the manufacturer, it actually weighs 158 kg with a full tank. Although this is not particularly light for a small enduro bike, it could be an indication that it is sturdily built. The steel frame is correspondingly well dimensioned, after all, it should be able to withstand a lot off-road. The swing arm does not appear quite as generous in its dimensions.
Long suspension travel
For off-road use, the 300 Rally offers long suspension travel, 240 mm on the non-adjustable upside-down fork. Its diameter of 41 mm is not generous, but sufficient in this performance class. Unfortunately, Voge has not specified the suspension travel of the shock absorber, which acts on the rear wheel via a linkage.
Voge 300 Rally I (9 Bilder)
Voge
)As the ground clearance is 280 mm, the rear suspension travel is probably also well over 200 mm. However, this brings the seat height to 915 mm, which is not for short riders. Boots find a good grip on the serrated footrests. The 300 Rally makes no compromises when it comes to the wheels either: it rolls on a 21-inch wheel at the front and 18 -inch tires with dimensions of 90/90-21 and 130/90-18 respectively at the rear. Off-road riders will appreciate the rather coarse tread pattern, even if they have probably never heard of the Chinese tire manufacturer Timsun.
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ABS can be switched off
The two rather large main headlights with bulbs are striking at the front, while all other light sources – tail light, indicators, and the daytime running light – use modern LEDs. A look into the cockpit is also surprising, as a simple LC display provides the most important data. In gadget-loving China, it is unusual not to install a TFT display. Apart from the mandatory ABS, there are no electronic assistance systems on the 300 Rally.
Enduro riders will be pleased to note that ABS and traction control are a nuisance off-road, as is the button in the cockpit that can be used to switch off the ABS. It also remains deactivated if the rider only presses the kill switch for a short stop. However, if the ignition is switched off, the ABS is activated automatically when restarting. As expected, the brakes are not too big: a two-piston brake on a 265 mm wave brake disc at the front and a disc with a diameter of 220 mm at the rear.
29 hp output
The water-cooled 292 cm3 single cylinder produces 29 hp at 9000 rpm. This makes it two hp more powerful than the Honda CRF 300 Rally with almost identical displacement, although the latter weighs five kilograms less. Of course, you can't expect an explosion of power from such a small engine, but you have to shift gears diligently to keep the piston moving sufficiently. At 97 dB(A) stationary noise, it is not one of the quietest.
Voge specifies a top speed of 125 km/h. The Voge 300 Rally is not intended for highways, but it should do well on gravel roads, where a well-functioning chassis with long suspension travel is essential.
340 km range
According to the manufacturer, the 300 Rally consumes 3.2 liters per 100 km, which means a range of 340 km under favorable conditions with a tank capacity of 11 liters. However, there is no fuel level indicator. When the reserve is reached, a fuel pump symbol lights up in the cockpit.
Voge 300 Rally II (6 Bilder)
Voge
)The standard equipment of the Voge is quite reasonable for an enduro: crash bars, engine guard, hand protectors, short license plate holder, luggage rack, two-tone painted rims, USB socket and a steep windshield. However, the pillion footrests are attached directly to the frame and not to outriggers, which is likely to lead to an uncomfortable riding position.
Only 4499 euros
Voge offers the 300 Rally for only, 4499 Euro. For comparison: Honda expects, 7050 Euro for its CRF 300 Rally (ride report). In the 1980s and 1990s, small enduros up to 400 cm3 were very popular and sold extremely well. This changed at the beginning of the 2000s, when the trend was towards multicylinder enduros with ever larger displacements. The small single cylinders would have had to be converted from carburetor to fuel injection in Europe, which many manufacturers no longer considered profitable enough. In Asia and North America, on the other hand, sales of the enduro bikes known there as dual-purpose bikes never really collapsed. The market for lightweight enduro bikes suitable for everyday use is back, there is just a lack of sufficiently attractive offers.
Revival of the segment
Honda was a pioneer here, registering over a thousand of its 300cc enduro bikes (CRF 300 Rally and the almost identical CRF 300 L) in Germany last year. As recently as 2017, the brand doubted whether it was worth importing (at that time still as the CRF 250 Rally) to Germany, but was quickly proved wrong as it sold out immediately.
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Other brands also registered this, so Royal Enfield finally followed suit with the Himalayan. Until last year, it was still air-cooled with 411 cm3, but has now been replaced by the water-cooled Himalayan 450. KTM has had the Indian-built 390 Adventure in its range for some time, and wants to attack this year with a new 390 Enduro. Suzuki has revised its tried and tested DR-Z 400 S to the DR-Z4 S and has finally given it fuel injection so that it can be offered with the current emissions standard. With the 300 Rally at a dumping price, Voge will presumably help to revive the segment that was once so popular in this country.
(mfz)