2020–2022 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
Stable, Cheap, Surprisingly Solid
The Voge 500 R is a budget naked bike that is honest about what it is. At its heart sits a 471 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin making 44 hp at 8,500 rpm and 31 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm, running through a 6-speed box and a chain. The chassis is simple and well chosen: a steel tube frame, an upside-down fork, ABS as standard and a rear shock with preload adjustment. What makes this generation stand out is its refinement at the price. The components and finish are better than the sticker suggests, and it looks like a proper motorcycle rather than a cheap one.
On the road it rides like a smart buy, not a compromise. It's easy to steer, easy to place in traffic and more stable at speed than anything in this price range has a right to be. Running costs stay low (62 mpg from a 4.4 gal (16.5 L) tank) and build quality holds up well for the money. It's a good fit for newer riders, commuters and anyone who wants a calm, grown-up naked. The honest caveat: at 437 lb (198 kg) wet it's no featherweight, the fork has no adjustment, there's no traction control, and it runs out of steam at 99 mph (160 km/h).
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 44 hp (32 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 31 lb-ft (42 Nm) @ 7,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 471 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 298 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 |
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 437 lb (198 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.4 gal (16.5 L) |
| Top speed | 99 mph (160 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 62 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Where this Voge 500 R pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the 500 R is actually built for.
If you want an electric bike, look elsewhere. For a stylish weekday commuter that handles SF traffic and still makes the Saturday ridge run to Alice's fun, the 500 R is a clever, affordable choice.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
Light, predictable steering makes it a good bike for working on your lines on the Dragon. Just know it's a technique tool, not a fast bike, and the fork offers no adjustment.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
Stable, frugal and comfortable over a full Saturday loop out of Austin. The only thing that'll wear you down on long Texas straights is the wind on your chest.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Texas Hill Country BDR-X · Twisted Sisters
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
