Essay – Voge 350 AC – more mature

At the beginning of the year, we conducted a test here at Motociclismo on the Voge 300AC, a single-cylinder naked bike that we found quite fun. Almost a year later, we went to meet the 350AC, equipped with a twin-cylinder engine and a more premium look. Is the difference of about €1000 worth it?

Several Voge models have passed through our hands here at Motociclismo, and in practically all cases we found well-built bikes with no major “defects”, in addition to almost always having a reference selling price to the public. The trail models have been the most sought after by the public, namely the brand new 525DSX, but in any case, if you are not yet familiar with the premium brand of the Chinese manufacturer Loncin, it is worth researching 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 surprisingly good in most of these.

MORE POWERFUL AND MORE… EVERYTHING

When we rode the 300AC, with its neo-retro lines, we especially liked the fun engine, the dynamics of the whole, and naturally the fantastic price (€3,787), but on the other hand, we found it to be a model that is too small and with some ergonomic flaws in terms of comfort for users of medium/high stature. We also thought that the 300AC deserved a more complete instrumentation and some more modern finishes.

Well, the small 300AC continues to be on sale but now we find alongside it in the range a 350AC, more carefully in terms of aesthetics and ultimately more modern in various aspects. The engine gained more displacement, another cylinder, and with that the numbers are also different. Power increased from 28.5 to 40.7 hp, while maximum torque increased from 23 to 31 Nm, and, according to the brand, the weight in running order even decreased in the more powerful model, from 170 to 165 kg. Aesthetically, the changes are also visible, even if we preferred to have tested the yellow version, much more attractive than this “drab” gray one. In terms of philosophy, this 350AC is also a neo retro, possible to drive with an A2 license, but ergonomically it is better developed for drivers and passengers of all heights. The seat is wider and longer, so the driver can move back a bit if necessary, and the passenger also travels more comfortably, with a good seat and safety handles. EQUIPMENT

In this model, the beautiful full LED front headlight and matching rear taillight, the raised exhaust tip, and the double-arm wheels stand out aesthetically. It features a Bosch fuel injection system, a slipper clutch, and interestingly, the braking system “lost” a disc in the front compared to the 300AC, but overall everything seems a bit more robust in the larger model. The frame is a multitubular steel structure, and in terms of chassis, we find an inverted fork at the front and a rear mono-shock absorber, with preload adjustment. The wheels are 17” and in terms of instrumentation, there is also a clear increase in quality compared to the 300, with a new 5-inch color LCD panel that, however, is more limited in information than expected. Next to this, we can find the traditional USB input for charging electronic devices.

THE BEST Price, aesthetics, and ergonomics, high revving engine

TO IMPROVE Driving sensations, simple instrumentation

AND ON THE ROAD… IS IT WORTH IT?

Well, we have to start by saying that, even being 1000 euros more expensive than the 300AC, this 350 remains a very affordable motorcycle! Especially with the 5-year warranty that Voge continues to offer on its products, it is the best way to convince the most skeptical that there is no need to doubt the reliability of this brand’s motorcycles.

Live – with the exception of the color that doesn’t favor it much – this bike wins in the overall aspect compared to the 300, although some prefer the more “authentic” look of the bike that was launched first, less “plasticky”. But in terms of ergonomics, the most recent model doesn’t stand a chance, being clearly better thought out. And in motion? Well, it’s been a long time since we rode a single-cylinder, but from what we remember, the 300 was much livelier and more fun than the bike in this article, although perhaps less effective. Above all, this twin-cylinder doesn’t provide a lot of emotions, especially at low revs or at a leisurely pace. The muffled exhaust doesn’t help with the sensations, but from the start we liked the very light clutch, the operation of the gearbox, and the feel of the brakes, even without adjusting the lever distance to the grip. The braking power, now with one less disc at the front, also deserves no complaints, and the suspension can absorb irregularities well as long as the road surface is not too degraded. In other words, as a bike for a new two-wheeler user, this 350AC fulfills perfectly. And for other riders?

IT’S ACTUALLY FAST

Despite our initial suspicions, we ended up having fun riding this motorcycle. This is because at higher revs the engine proves to be quite strong, while in a curved zone it is possible to ride quickly and safely, with the Cordial suspensions and tires keeping everything under control. It is noticeable that the front end is a bit light, but it does not become unstable (unless we provoke the handlebars), and on the highway this motorcycle exceeded 165 km/h, which is really interesting. The instrumentation is very beautiful, especially at night with the contrast of light, but it is a pity that it does not provide more informative data, and at the end of this test we were convinced of the capabilities of this motorcycle. We continue to affirm that the 300AC, with only one cylinder, is more fun to ride, but this 350 is faster, more comfortable, and complete, that is, an evolution within the range of classic models from Voge, and there are still a few more. And since there are no major differences in fuel consumption with the two AC models we have been talking about, with averages around 4 liters per 100 kilometers, we conclude that the single-cylinder will be perfectly suitable for city use, where the agility and lively response of the engine (and beautiful exhaust sound) will please. For a more demanding user and taller stature, but who also wants a motorcycle within the A2 range, the 350 could be ideal, with good performance and a very friendly price!  **VOGE 350AC**

TWIN parallel bicilíndrico, liquid cooling, 8 valves

DISPLACEMENT 321.8 cc

POWER 40.7 hp @8,500 rpm

TORQUE 31 Nm @9,000 rpm

GEARBOX 6 speeds

FRAME steel multitubular

TANK 12.5 liters

FRONT SUSPENSION 41 mm inverted telescopic fork, 125 mm travel

REAR SUSPENSION monoshock

FRONT BRAKE 298 mm disc, 2-piston caliper

REAR BRAKE 240 mm disc, 1-piston caliper

FRONT TIRE 110/70 17

REAR TIRE 150/60 17

WHEELBASE 1,410 mm

SEAT HEIGHT 760 mm

WEIGHT 165 kg

MSRP (from) €4,787