Voge v CRF Rally

[gspod]

Hi
I’m planning a long trip and comparing the CRF and Voge Rallys.
I recon I could buy a second hand CRF with a few upgrades (suspension included) for £5.5K or a new Voge with 2 year warranty for £4K - I’m not sure how handy the warranty will be in far flung places.

I’m around 105kg and will need a fair bit of luggage but I ride steady.

Any thoughts on whether I’d have to spend money on the Voge suspension.
The service intervals of the CRF are twice as long as the Voge so I would have to take that into consideration.
The CRF alternator has a decent output for electrical equipment - I can’t find anything about the Voge.
I prefer the looks of the Voge and it’s taller which suits me better.

I’d appreciate any opinions from Voge owners
Thanks

 

[gspod]

And I’ve just read that the voge runs on 5 ethanol rather than 10.
I’d need a bike that runs okay on low quality petrol

 

[richardbd]

Slightly off-topic but where are you off to?

 

[Davey B]

As a Voge owner....if I were planning a long trip...I'd get a CRF....(they come up pretty frequently on here with a few decent bits added)

 

[gspod]

Slightly off-topic but where are you off to?

Just a vague plan at the moment so rather not say

 

[Karl P]

As a Voge owner, I too would want the Honda for a long trip.
The Voge is really good but needs a few minor things addressing from the off. They are easy to do if you're ok with a spanner.
Long trip usually means reliability is the highest priority, hence Honda over Voge.
The Voge engine is a Kawasaki klx 300 engine & gearbox. The Voge runs fine in E5 or E10.
The Voge is a joy to ride on and off road and cira 90 mph.

 

[gspod]

As a Voge owner....if I were planning a long trip...I'd get a CRF....(they come up pretty frequently on here with a few decent bits added)

I have been coming round to that conclusion myself, I just have a bit of a penchant for the underdog

 

[gspod]

Thanks everyone.
For me I think it’s the service intervals - for a 16K mile trip, with the CRF I could do a major service before I left, an oil service half way and a major service on return. A Voge would be oil and major service during the trip.

I still like the thought of the Voge though

 

[richardbd]

Just a vague plan at the moment so rather not say

If it helps the thinking, I took a Rally Raid converted CB500X from London to Beijing. It was absolutely bullet-proof mechanically. Only two things failed - heated grips and side stand - both after-market.

On a journey into to properly out of the way places, especially with little or no support, Honda over Voges every time for me…

 

[dommiek]

I own a 300 Rally and have been so impressed with it. It punches well above it's weight plus you get Honda reliability.
You will need to change the suspension as what you get from new is shocking (pardon the pun)
Sounds like you're a hefty fella so you'll need to do it.
I fitted Rally Raid level 2 from new and it's worth every penny.

 

[gspod]

I spoke to Nathan Millward and he said he has to change the oil of the CRF every 4000 miles anyway so no difference in the service intervals. He also said that the suspension is good to go on the Voge but I sat on one at the ABR and I think it would need an upgrade.
Still leaning towards the CRF.

 

[dommiek]

I spoke to Nathan Millward and he said he has to change the oil of the CRF every 4000 miles anyway so no difference in the service intervals. He also said that the suspension is good to go on the Voge but I sat on one at the ABR and I think it would need an upgrade.
Still leaning towards the CRF.

The service intervals for the engine oil on the CRF is 8,000 miles. It's the same engine as fitted to the CB and CBR 300 except the camshafts and ECU are different (more bottom and midrange on the CRF)
I agree with Nathan as it's common sense to drop the oil sooner, especially as it's simple to do and having only 1.5 litres it's not costly.

 

[Davey B]

OP...you're ride has arrived....

https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/2022-honda-crf300-rally.417155/

 

[gspod]

OP...you're ride has arrived....

https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/2022-honda-crf300-rally.417155/

Haha, funnily enough I was in Broadstairs this weekend.
I’m still interested in the Voge and will have a test ride soon - I’ve had a spin on the CRF.

 

[gspod]

 

[stever1]

A little off topic, but I saw this today. Voge do scooters as well.
Apparently there are 2 engine sizes. It’s physically similar in size and style to a T max but a lot cheaper.
The chaps had it from new, done 11000 km and loves it.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

What you bought Dermot and where are you heading?

Edit: FWIW if you go down the Honda route I'd definitely recommend speaking to the team at Miles Kingsport, Hull. Family owned and proper old school customer service.

 

[The Other PaulG]

How does the Honda 300 compare to the Honda 250?

I had a 250 for a while and whilst I liked a lot about it, it just had too little power for everyday riding. Loaded up for a trip it would have been sluggish.

I know the 300 has a few more ponies - is it enough to make a big difference?

 

[PitaNaanRoti]

How does the Honda 300 compare to the Honda 250?

I had a 250 for a while and whilst I liked a lot about it, it just had too little power for everyday riding. Loaded up for a trip it would have been sluggish.

I know the 300 has a few more ponies - is it enough to make a big difference?

Not really, no.
There’s not enough extra in the real world to warrant the extra cost over a 250.
Better off spending the £ on suspension.