Voge AC525x Scrambler full review

Welcome to the next installment of my Voge AC525X chats, I'm learning more about this bike all the time and to be honest it gets better and better.
Gear I use:
Jacket🧥: Alpinestars Andes Touring I / Spada Wax Cotton/ Oxford Churchill blue
Trousers👖: Alpinestars Andes Touring I / RST R-18 CE Leather Jeans
Gloves🧤: RST Thermotech Heated Gloves / Weisse shorty gloves
Helmet: Arai: RX-7V Gold Rea edition/Shark S900
Boots🥾: RST Tractech EVO III/ Pharoa Robson/ Spada Striders
Action Camera 🎥: GoPro Hero VII x2 with GoPro 3.5mm Jack converter
Audio🎵: Olympus LSP4 sound capture device
Mic🎤: JOBY WAVO Pro Lav
Still images📸: Redmi 10C smartphone/ Fuji X-H2 + 18mm F1.4 R LM WR Lens

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I'm sure I am not alone in enjoying your presentation style. No fancy title, no fancy language, no hyperbole, just honest chat. Love it.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Bib, I was just saying to the other commentor who said about the title being odd, I'm not trying to attract new viewers through searchable terms and jazzy clicky titles. It's more rewarding for me now just to give people who know what to expect from the channel a nice video, they know what to expect and for example mentioning the jacket in the thumbnail well that's mainly an in-joke for people who've liked previous jackets 😂. It will mean nothing to someone new and that's fine too!

[@StoltHD]

agree...

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

As I've said before, a really handsome bike. It sounds good, too. I'd rather have the CL500. Nick J

[@chrisjonesbath]

They are not alone in this, even some "premium models use it", that brake master cylinder stuck up on a bit of bent metal on the handlebars. Why not a neat alloy brake master cylinder/lever combo like the majority of bikes I wonder?

[@derekbeaty910]

Hi great content again thanks for the indepth review been thinking of one of these may change from dsx thanks again

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Hi Derek, thank you for the kind words. It's a nice comparison with the 500DSX, you can see how Voge have tweaked and refined the offering even in a couple of years. It's about as tall as the DSX though...

[@carltonwittland1300]

Another good review Sean. The more i see this bike the more I'm thinking this is a good looking bike and it is made with quality components. In 2 weeks time i will be at the Motorcycle Live show , Birmingham and if Voge have a display i will certainly have a good look. Thanks again. Cheers Carl.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Carl for the comment, very much appreciated. I'll be at MCL on the saturday and I'll be on the look out for Voge! I hope they are there...

[@carltonwittland1300]

Likewise I'm heading down on Monday. And I've just located a stockists 3 miles from where I live. Thanks.

[@namduran]

Great review Sean. Looks like you’re finding your own style and presentation. Keep it up 😊

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks as always Nigel. Well you will be surprised to see Suzie is going in front of the camera tomorrow and I'm filming, just a fun one but might be a bit different! 👍😊

[@barrydaly7174]

I agree. It's more BBC 2 than "Dave"

[@andyaptc2907]

good reviews easy to listen too.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Andy, very much appreciated...

[@olethorhermansen5696]

Like practically all other modern motorcycles it could do with a better front mudguard, there's quite a bit of mud stuck in the radiator. But thumbs up to Voge for not giving the bike golden fork legs, they always look awful.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

That's a great point it does need a fender extender!

[@leegreveson]

"swish", now there's a word I've not heard since the 90's 😂 Bring it back 😊 The bike styling reminds me of the Zontes GK range, especially as they had the GK125 in similar grey/yellow livery. In fact I wish I'd bought one instead of the Bluroc Legend I'm currently learning/practicing on . As these Chinese brands "up" their quality, so does the price, and before long they'll be little difference up against the established brands. It's just going to have to prove reliability and aftermarket support and service to win over more sales perhaps. As with everything there is brand snobbery but eventually these companies experience the Skoda/Kia, no longer derided, but surpassing the competition in some cases. That Honda CL500 for example, it's been reviewed by loads of KZbinrs lately, but it just looks bland. Sure it'll be reliable but it's not particularly a looker compared to this Voge.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Hahaha, I think I remember my mum calling things Swish and so I've got the habit! Zontes to be fair have the highest build quality of the lower price point bikes IMO, of course they are not Ducati but there's some nice design touches and things don't look 'cheap', the GK125 always appealed to me as it's got almost a 20l tank so you'd be able to ride 500-600 miles just sipping fuel. With the Chinese bike price point I don't think they can go in at European or Japanese pricing just yet as people worry about depreciation, support, parts etc. This is why in my other video I mentioned the AC500 as an option, it's the road version of this bike and it's available for £3,700 or low 4s depending where you look. I also looked at the CL500 reviews and it is just so uninspiring for me in any case...

[@crumblymal8479]

I do like this one can't remember whether you stated the seat height in the last one or not but I think it's well worth considering nice one 👌👍

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Crumbly, its 845mm seat and it is quite tall, no bend in the leg and I swapped into my proper boots just so I didn't slip on it...

[@2wheeledwillie395]

Great review Sean 👏

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Like the title? 😂😂

[@2wheeledwillie395]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist loved it mate! 🤣🤣🤣

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

@@2wheeledwillie395 Hahaha, going to be a theme going forward!

[@2wheeledwillie395]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

You got some more gold for us soon Willie?? 😁😁

[@markfortin8286]

I agree with you about the Honda. I’m sure it’s a great bike, but it just doesn’t inspire any reaction in me. A shame, because they did a nice job with the CB350 that’s available in Asian markets now.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I've watched a few other reviews of the Honda and they are pretty bad (as bad as KZbinrs who are loaned bikes can be). It's styling is a bit mis mash and the only thing people can seem to say about it is that i't got that famous Honda reliability. Shame... as the lower price point of the market is really exciting right now...

[@randomguy9893]

Needs a cover for the master brake cylinder, it’s a bit distracting. Nice bike though👍

[@sanatandharma4435]

I'm test riding one on Monday! However, the more I think about parting with 5+ thousand the more I think about a second hand v strom!

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the Voge. Good luck with the new bike whichever it is 😃

[@sanatandharma4435]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist Thank you. The test ride was good, relaxing and the weather was dry. It is a nice place to be on the ac525x.. Still not sure though! I am taking my time with this. Also my daughter wants to ride pillion....So will probably need a top box, no matter what bike...Decisions, decisions!

[@soggybawsmoto]

The Honda CL is Fugly, and isnt as good a machine as the Voge but you have a fighting chance of retaining some resale value. This size of bike is often a stepping stone to larger machines, so being from an established/supported brand will be a factor for many. Great review, Im just dipping my toe in the water doing reviews, and its harder than it looks. Glad to hear you confirm the stress of forming an opinion, and getting it recorded within a short window is real and not just me 😂

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Soggy, man I just watched Mr Darcy's review of the CL - 'Reliable' 'does what you expect' 'commuter' - basically they didn't like it at all without saying it too obviously. I really couldn't get on with the Honda, it's not a special bike at all. Voge is way better, but of course you do have the problem of resale value. I documented that in my 'I've sold my Voge' video, it was quite hard. If you're a more seasoned gentleman and this is a bike to keep for a few years it will be brill as you'll get the full value out of it but of course if your selling at 12 months you'll lose money as with any bike I suppose (even RE). Yes it's stressful, I did 3 takes to get this one right 😂😂

[@midlife-crysis]

What would you consider a great WINTER bike. Something that is reliable in the cold. Good grip, doesn’t mind being dirty, not affected by Road grit much. Won’t kill you in the wet?

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Hi Midlife, it would have to be something that you don't mind getting filthy. I would probably go for a cheap 125! Depends if you have a long way to commute!

[@midlife-crysis]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist more a fun weekend trip to see mates in the winter. Thinking the triumph tiger 660

[@ThebigT721]

Don’t forget the new Royal Enfield Himalayan

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I'm honestly not that excited about it (unlike everyone else it seems). It's a great bike just not for me...

[@BobfmBali]

A good looking bike I would consider one.I understand it's a scrambler but you didn't mention whether soft luggage could be fitted?

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Bob, there's no standard OEM luggage but I'm guessing throw over bags would permit a few litres of carrying capacity. I expect all sorts of aftermarket stuff will filter through AliExpress, very cheap if you can wait 5 weeks for it to be delivered. This was my experience on the previous Voge!

[@BobfmBali]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist Sorry what's AliExpress?

[@hawkmoon560]

Hi, does the 525 seem a worthwhile update to the 500? Do you know if the spokes stainless steel or chromed steel? What do you think the depreciation will be like over some of it's competitors? Thanks

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Hi Hawk, yes to me it feels punchy but then its shed some weight (let's conservatively say 10kg) over my old 500DSX. In China they are running this engine at 53.1hp apparently, so it's only detuned for power (I assume not torque) here in Europe. Depreciation will be hard if you take it to a dealer but then so will all brands (I recently posted a video on this topic and people wrote in the comments their experience) if you could find the right buyer privately perhaps you wouldn't lose so much. Or wait 6 months and buy a nearly new one and you then don't suffer the lions share of depreciation...

[@chrishart9634]

Are the latest couple of vlogs got fake back drops green screen 😂

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

If only I knew how to do that 😂. I think you give me too much credit hahaha

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Hi, strange title !

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Hi Ian, I'm finding it rewarding mainly making videos for my existing subscribers now, who I hope know what to expect. So I'm not going to write jazzy titles for search at least not for now, we can always change it later 😂. At least it's not clickbait 😂

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Very accurate though...

[@soggybawsmoto]

I thought you were dabbling with AI for your titles for a minute 😂

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist I sincerely dislike clickbait titles !

[@Tomahawkfalcone]

Don't mind the bike but the tank graphics are terrible

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Fair comment SJ, I like em but they are quite bold, understand they won't be to everyone's taste!

[@Tomahawkfalcone]

​@@MindfulMotorcyclistjust seem to big to me, looks good for the money, always liked the fantic as well