We can do it too, was Voge's motto. And that's why the Chinese manufacturer is now presenting its own maxi scooter, the SR4 Max 350.
This is Voge's first ever scooter, and the SR1 125 has recently joined the model range. That's very brave, because the range of maxi scooters has become a little more manageable over the last few years. Many manufacturers have drastically reduced their offerings due to a lack of demand or have even withdrawn from this segment entirely. But with this new maxi scooter, a two-wheeler is not just thrown onto the market blindly, and there are no complete newcomers at work here: The Voge brand belongs to the manufacturer Loncin, one of the largest motor and two-wheeler manufacturers in China, and has been manufacturing them since Engines and scooters for BMW for 17 years now. Voge's 350 is, unsurprisingly, a very close relative of BMW's 400 scooter. In 2020, Voge launched four models in this country, and the range now includes almost a dozen two-wheelers.
The Voge engine is almost as powerful as the BMW single-cylinder
The performance data of the Far East scooter is just below that of the mid-range BMW C400 scooter, which was convincing in an earlier test: The SR4 Max has 29 instead of 34 hp and a maximum torque of 30 Nm instead of 35 Nm. But the liquid-cooled single-cylinder with a displacement of exactly 350 cubic centimeters is still a very agile engine and so the 214 kilogram scooter can pull off a lot of power, especially in city traffic.
You can also make quick progress on the 100 km/h roads and even on the motorway you can keep up with the speed thanks to the top speed of 127 km/h and the good wind protection. However, since we drive at high speeds here, you should know and follow the applicable rules on the motorway. In the long run, however, at maximum speed, the wind behind the windshield roars quite intensely, so you either slow down or return to federal and country roads.
The traction control intervenes in extreme lean angles
There's obviously a lot of BMW know-how in the chassis, because the Voge confidently maneuvers through curves. As long as the road surface is reasonably decent and you don't challenge physics, the ride remains smooth. Only if you rush through curves very quickly or get into lean angles that are not typical for scooters but can be controlled, can the traction control intervene somewhat suddenly and reduce the engine power. This is irritating at first and you either drive slower or you are prepared for the care of the scooter.
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The surroundings are also right: you have a good sitting position on the handlebars with comfortable lumbar support. The windshield provides good protection and the vibration-free mirrors offer sufficient rear visibility. A passenger has a decently sized seat and a footboard for his feet - but this obscures the view of the side stand, which requires a little extra care when parking the scooter.
Cockpit with large display and lots of information
The cockpit is dominated by a very large TFT display with smartphone connectivity. It offers a wide range of information that is fortunately clearly structured and easy to read. What takes some getting used to - but ultimately leads to success with a little practice and dexterity - is the ability to make the settings via different menu levels. Luckily, you don't need to do this very often in everyday life and you only have to bother with it once.
You experience a special feature at the gas pump, because the tank cap has to be turned to the right either quickly twice or slowly to the right to open. Why make it easy when it can be complicated seems to have been the motto of the designers of this component. Since we managed with a consumption of less than four liters per 100 kilometers and the tank holds just under 13 liters, we fortunately didn't have to turn the cap too often. The range of over 300 kilometers is a big plus. Anyone on a tour who sees a motorcycle or scooter standing on the side of the road with a yellow scarf on the handlebars should know that this is a sign for other bikers that has a special meaning.
Special gag: There is a camera in the disguise
As a little gag, there is even a camera built into the front fairing of the Voge SR4, which can be activated at the push of a button on the handlebars. The images and videos are saved on a memory card, the drive of which is located in the right storage compartment in the panel. The USB port and the 12 V socket in the glove compartment in the panel should meet the requirements of the younger generation. The LED light with cornering and cornering lights as well as the keyless system are not a given in this displacement and price class.
The dealer will charge you 6,399 euros for the SR4 – a very competitive price. The BMW brothers cost almost 800 euros more. If you want to save a little more money: With a seasonal license plate, i.e. a temporary license plate, you can get through the biker year cheaper.