China strikes back: The adventure bike challenging Yamaha

As its name suggests, with the short windshield and large vertical instrument panel, it really looks like it’s headed for a rally - tall, handsome, and relatively slim. Wait, doesn’t it look a bit familiar?

Indeed, the new Chinese bike is looking straight into the huge success of the Tenere 700 - the traditional Yamaha blue - and trying to show that whatever the Japanese can do, it can do better.

After VOGE produced adventure bikes in a variety of displacements - 300, 500, 650, 625, and 900 cc - the new 800 cc model arrives, and it seems we can see the improvement trend of this rising Chinese brand.

Its appearance - as mentioned - shows a tall camel-like rally bike, with inverted and fully adjustable KYB suspension and golden rims, a high exhaust, handguards and skid plate; all it lacks is a raised front fender over the wheel - something relatively easy to add between the two front tubes (instead of one) leading to the front brake.

The 799 cc parallel-twin engine is completely new, producing 95 hp. It’s simply an excellent engine, with plenty of low-end torque of 8.3 kg·m, and provides strong power during overtaking across the rev range.

Additional features include fog lights, heated grips and seat, a tire pressure monitoring system, an integrated dash camera, adjustable steering damper, two riding modes - sport and standard - and front and/or rear ABS with traction control. Conveniently, the controls can be fully disengaged for off-road use via a dedicated button, easily, without having to dig through multiple screen menus.

It’s very comfortable on the road, capable of high-speed riding with ease, and easy to lean. The engine sound invites revving, and the traction control reacts fairly quickly. The seat is comfortable for two, and the large 24-liter fuel tank can provide over 500 km of continuous riding.

This is an adventure bike that really wants to explore, go off-road. The mirrors fold inward, and even the brake and shift pedals fold - useful in case of a fall. It has a center stand for maintenance, an easily removable air filter, excellent ground clearance, and a low center of gravity - thanks in part to the fuel tank being positioned lower.

On dirt roads, it feels relatively light for its weight, easy to stand on during off-road riding, and can sprint along trails while the suspension smooths everything out. The rally bike still uses a cable throttle, which is sensitive mainly in the initial gas response, and if you plan to ride in slow technical terrain, it may be worth adjusting the sprocket ratio to better suit those conditions.

This is probably one of the best bikes VOGE has produced, competing not only with the Tenere but also with counterparts from KTM, CF Moto, and Honda. Priced at NIS 60,000, it’s 10–15k cheaper than non-Chinese competitors.

VOGE claims the bike has undergone endurance tests over hundreds of thousands of kilometers, and the quality of materials seems good. This is excellent value for money, an adventure bike that deserves to hit the dirt from time to time. A superb release from the Chinese company.