525 DSX (MY2023)

The 525 DSX is Voge's argument that affordable no longer has to mean stripped. Underneath sits a liquid-cooled 494 cc parallel twin making 48 hp at 8,500 rpm, hung in a steel trellis frame with an upside-down fork, a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear. Then comes the kit: ABS, traction control and ride modes, a TFT with navigation and smartphone connectivity, tire pressure monitoring, a slipper clutch, an adjustable screen, a center stand and suspension you can adjust at both ends. At this end of the mid-size adventure class, that is an unusually complete bike straight out of the crate.

On the road it is predictable and easy to trust, and it doesn't punish a rider who is still building confidence. Running costs stay low, which matters as much as the sticker price once you've owned a bike for a few years. It suits the rider who wants the adventure stance and the equipment without paying the big-brand bill. The honest caveat is how far off-road it can go. With 5.7 in (145 mm) of rear travel it falls short of the 7.9 in (200 mm) I expect from a true adventure bike. Its real home is varied tarmac and light gravel, not rough trails.