Categories
Bite Tests

Bite Test: 2020 Voge 650DS / Loncin DS8

Another challenger from China trying to break the mold in the mainstage! Introducing Voge, the new motorcycle from the Chinese motorcycle conglomerate, Loncin.

Following the footsteps of Benelli Q.J. and CFMoto, Voge emphasizes premium feel and experience at very competitive prices! This Voge 650DS alongside with the rebadged Loncin DS8 (on certain markets) is their flagship motorcycle!

People will be familiar with its 650cc single-cylinder on this bike, remember the BMW G650, F650, and the lightweight Husqvarna TR650? Some of the Rotax-engineered 650 was built by Loncin under contract up until production halted. Now under Loncin (with license), that same engine is currently powering this Adventure-Touring motorcycle! I personally did not know that up until I edited this video!

I thought that this bike is like a spiritual successor to the now legendary Kawasaki KLR 650.

But will an ‘updated G650’ with modern toys be enough to be worthy of nostalgia? Or will this be a copy and paste affair? I have not ridden the G650, F650, nor the TR650. Maybe I will get a ‘taste’ of that, let’s see…

[NOT YET CONFIRMED FOR SALE IN THE PHILIPPINES]

[NOT AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA]

 

Categories
Bite Tests

Bite Test: 2019 Honda BeAT 110 (ISS/CBS)

The entry-level scooter game here in the Philippines can be a very crowded affair.

With all these scooters costs less than PHP70k (US$1,385), these 110cc budget scooter classes are one of the most popular forms of motorcycling in Southeast Asia! Along with Suzuki’s Skydrive Sport [UX110] from my previous ‘Bite Test,’ this Honda BeAT [ACH110] competes on this very competitive market!
The 2020 model of BeAT scooter comes with 3 distinct models now (Street, Fashion Sport, & Premium). But this 2019 model is called the ISS/CBS (Idle-Stop System & Combined-Braking System) on which is equivalent to the 2020 Premium model.
How will the BeAT compare to the Skydrive Sport scooter? Since it tough for me to get a hold to even test these scoots, this is all I can manage. I hope you guys will like today’s ‘Bite Test!’
(I will remain to call this scooter “Be-At,” not “Beat” like the old Honda’s Kei-class wonder roadster.)
[NOT AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA]
Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2018 KTM 1090 Adventure-R

Before the 790, 390, and soon the 490 Adventure series of bikes, KTM’s bike lineup wasn’t as diverse as they are now.

The 1090 Adventure-R was the gateway to KTM’s Adventure line. Replacing the much-loved and iconic old-flagship, the 1190 Adventure series.

Slotting below the insane 1290 flagships, this 1090 competes with the likes of the V-Strom 1000, the F800 GS, the Tiger 800 XCA, and most especially the much talk-about Honda’s Africa Twin!

The 1090 Adventure-R is one of the few bikes I consider as “Adventure-Dirt” motorcycles as they put their emphasis on dirt riding rather than street riding. But it makes the 690 Enduro-R a spartan Dual-Sport compared to the 1090R.

Since I’ve already ridden all the 1290 Adventure series (S, R, & T), is this 1090 a watered-down boring beast? Find out here!

 

Host Manufacturer:

– KTM USA

https://www.ktm.com/us/

 

Host Dealer:

– Chaparral Motorsports (San Bernardino, CA, USA)

https://www.chapmotors.com/

https://www.facebook.com/chaparralmotorsports/

https://www.youtube.com/user/chaparralmotorsports/

 

Dealer (PHI):

– KTM Philippines

https://www.ktm.com/ph/

https://www.facebook.com/KTMPHILIPPINES/