Voge has announced a new scrambler variant of its 500 AC motorcycle, the 500 ACX, with a visual refresh and enlarged motor.
Voge’s presence continues to grow in Europe and the latest addition sees it expand its scrambler range from just the established 300 ACX to now include the new 525 ACX.
The Voge 525 ACX is derived from the naked 500 AC. To scramble the 500 AC into the 525 ACX, the tailpipe has been raised to end almost at the height of the tail section, the alloy wheels have become wire-spokes, a small front screen has been added, and the front mudguard has been simplified.
Additionally, the engine has been revised, and mostly had its displacement increased. The original 500 AC had a 471cc twin-cylinder with a DOHC configuration and liquid cooling. Most of that remains the same for the 525 ACX, but the displacement is increased from 471cc to 494cc.
That means, Motorrad reports, an increase in peak power to 47.6 horsepower, and a 2Nm increase in peak torque from 42.5Nm to 44.5Nm. That performance will propel a dry weight of 185kg.
At the chassis, the technicalities are reminiscent of the 500 AC, with a steel tubular frame; twin-piston Nissin callipers on dual 300mm front discs; a single-piston Nissin calliper on a single 220mm rear disc; a 41mm USD fork; and an adjustable rear shock absorber.
The wheels, though, change. As well as the aforementioned switch to wire spokes, the front wheel for the ACX replaces the AC’s 17-inch with a 19-inch, and its 120/70 tyre with a 110/80 tyre. Additionally, at the rear the tyre swaps from a 160/60 to a 150/70.
As for the ergonomics, the seat height is set at 820mm, the ground clearance at 200mm, and the wheelbase is 1,450mm.
Neither the price nor the availability of the Voge 525 ACX is yet available, but we might be able to make some estimates based on the price of the 500 AC. In Germany, the 500 AC €6,199, which is equivalent to around £5,400 at time of writing (December 2022). In comparison, the 500 AC is marketed in the UK at £5,799. Motorrad estimates an increase in price of around €500 for the ACX compared to the AC, putting the scrambler at €6,700, which is around £5,800 (December 2022). Considering the relative cost of the 500 AC in the UK compared to Germany, it might be reasonable to expect the Voge 525 ACX to be marketed in the region of £6,200-£6,300.
Voge 525 ACX spec sheet
Engine | inline-twin, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC |
Displacement | 494 cc |
Compression Ratio | 11.5:1 |
Power | 47.6 hp (35 kW) at 8,500 rpm |
Torque | 44.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm |
Ignition | electronic |
Power supply | electronic injection |
Gearbox | 6 speeds |
Final drive | chain |
Frame | tubular steel, aluminum swingarm |
Front suspension | 41mm inverted fork |
Rear suspension | progressive shock absorber adjustable in preload |
Front brake | twin 300 mm discs, Nissin twin-piston caliper |
Rear brake | 220mm disc, Nissin single piston caliper |
Wheels | 19 and 17 inch wire rims |
Front tire | 110/80-19 |
Rear tire | 150/70-17 |
Length | 2,150mm |
Width | 820mm |
Height | 1,230mm |
Wheelbase | 1,450mm |
Ground clearance | 200mm |
Saddle height | 820 mm |
Weight | 185 kg dry |
Tank | 19 liters |
Images courtesy of Motorrad.
