VOGE

SR4 Max: Asian brand enters the scooter segment by launching its first model in Spain

New weapons for Voge with which to continue its expansion as its own brand belonging to the great productive empire of the Chinese giant Loncin, owner of Voge.

Now it attacks the scooter segment, taking advantage of the experience accumulated over the years with BMW, who produced its C 400 model, in addition to having spent 20 years with the German firm providing single-cylinder engines. Voge compiles all that "know how" and presents the SR4 Max as a compendium of all that productive capacity on the scooter and reaping what was sown with BMW.

It is obvious that the SR4 has a lot in common with the C 400, sharing the same engine block and chassis, while the bodywork is different, designed in Italy, although it also maintains very common features with the German scooter, with the compact front area. The double Full Led optics can be seen, with DRL light, the turn signals also Led -with sequential dynamic lighting- and the rear light, Led and as a novelty with emergency braking warning -the rear light flashes in strong retentions-.

The pilot sits on a large, double-height seat, with very comfortable padding and good lumbar support, positioned at a height of 761 mm from the ground, optimal for all users, even the smallest. Between the pilot's legs is the 12.2 l tank. and the pilot has good space to support the legs, even those with big feet.

The passenger also travels comfortably in his wide seat and has two wide footrests. Under the seat there is a 41.5-liter capacity hole in which a jet helmet fits on the front and a full-face helmet on the back -its shape does not leave optimal space, for example, to carry a backpack-. We find two frontal glove compartments, with closure, having two power outlets on the right: one 12 V cigarette lighter type and another USB.

The pilot is protected by a wide screen, manually adjustable in two heights -loosing the 4 fixing screws and taking it to the other position-. The parking brake is not missing, with a trigger lock on the left handle. The propellant of the SR4 Max is a 349 cc single-cylinder 4T that yields 34 CV of power and 35 Nm of torque, incorporating the TCS traction control system -not disconnectable-. The cycle part is seated on a frame in which a 50% balanced weight distribution has been sought, based on suspension with KYB fork and double rear shock absorber -adjustable preload in five positions-.

Voge incorporates components from "renowned" suppliers to its product to also ensure the approval of the buyer who finds well-known brands in its components such as J.Juan brakes or Pirelli Angel Scooter tires, or Continental ABS -double channel-. For the instrumentation, the SR4 offers a large 7” TFT color screen that offers the possibility of connectivity with the mobile phone via Bluetooth: it allows you to make calls and answer them or follow the GPS navigation of the mobile, managing everything with the left hand.

We liked it because the graphics are clear, it has different day and night lighting, and it includes useful information such as tire pressure with the TPMS system. The comfort of handling appears with the intelligent proximity key, equipped with an anti-theft system and that allows us to open the seat and the tank cap, without a key.

In the equipment, a very striking "gadget" stands out that no other scooter on the market has: a video camera, placed on the front, between the two front headlights, which records on a micro SD card - it does not come standard and is housed in the right glove box - and that also allows you to take photos by pressing the specific button on the right pineapple.

Through the scooter application you can visualize everything. Its price is 6,289 euros, but now it has an introductory offer at 5,789 euros, with a 5-year warranty and free insurance (for people over 21), available only in black and white. It can be financed, for example, by installments of 69 euros per month for 6 years, with an entry of 1,800 euros. As accessories only the 39-litre Shad trunk is offered. The reviews are every 10,000 km, or every year.

CONVINCING... With the SR4 Max we find ourselves before a product in which, if you don't look at the brand because it doesn't convince you, it takes care of convincing you by itself. What's more, if you are a brand owner, you change the brand's stickers and badges for BMW ones and you have a great-looking scooter for two thousand euros less -not all the equipment is the same, that's true, because the German has some things more, such as stability control, and has more options such as heated grips and seat, high windshield, bag in the central tunnel, blanket... for which, yes, you have to pay-.

The presence of the SR4 is striking, without a doubt, and conveys good perceived quality, of a well-made product. It is comfortable, it is wide, it has a good engine response, general softness in its reactions and it conveys a general feeling of having a scooter with plenty of effectiveness.

The engine responds very naturally, very linear, progressive and reactive at any speed, effective in the urban cycle as well as interurban, where we can drive at legal highway speeds without problems. In addition, it vibrates little and that is an important aspect if we do kilometers a day with it.

The consumption seems appraised and with its almost 13 liters it has a wide autonomy. The driving position is very comfortable, and we have always been comfortable at all times, well protected aerodynamically by the bodywork and by the screen -it's a pity it's not adjustable with another system, because I am one of those who changes, if possible in gear, the height of the screen, depending on whether you are driving in the city or on the highway, or in different seasons of the year.

The instrumentation has a very good reading and complete information, while the suspension seems comfortable as well as solid, especially in the front end. Perfect braking and very good stability reported by the multitubular chassis that informs at all times of what the running gear is doing. Yes, I would like the hole under the seat to have another physiognomy to be able to carry a “bulky” object such as a computer backpack.

Large medium displacement scooter, suitable for the A2 license is the SR4 Max, which has touring skills and is very valid for daily use. And, above all, it has a very competitive price.

Voge seeks to grow with more models and ventures into scooters. The great manufacturer Loncin, its owner, produces 5 million engines and 3 million motorcycles a year and plans to launch a range of 15 models for Voge, with scooters -a 125 will soon arrive- and 125, 350 and 525 motorcycles. DC. The SR4 Max offers a sensational quality-price-performance ratio, which positions it as a great purchase option among "premium" scooters.

DATA SHEET:

Engine...Type: 1 cyl. inclined. refr: liquid; Timing: SOHC 4V; Bore x Stroke: 80 x 69.6mm; Displacement: 349.8cc; Compression: 12.0:1; max power dec.: 25.3 kW (34 hp) at 7,500 rpm; max torque Dec.: 35 Nm at 6,000 rpm; Electronic aids: Traction control; Transmission : Centrifugal variator; Transmission sec.: Gears/Chain/Belt;

Cycle part...Chassis: Tubular steel; Front suspension: Conventional fork; Bar Diameter/Travel: 35mm / 110mm; Rear Suspension/Travel: 2 parallel shocks / 112mm; Front brake: A 265mm disc; Calipers: 2 pistons; Rear brake: A 265 mm disc; Caliper: Single piston; ABS Type / Off: Standard / No; Front wheel: 120/70-15”. 2.50” tire; Rear wheel: 120/60-14”. 3.50” rim;

Measurements...Ch. Tank: 12.8 l; Full weight: 202 kg; Distance between axes: 1,500 mm; Seat height: 775 mm.

Price: €5,789

Reporting: Santi Ayala