On paper, this is the tightest duel in the A2 class. The Voge 525 DSX (renamed DS525X in the brand's recent naming) and the Honda NX500 share the same recipe: a parallel twin of about 500 cc, 47 hp right on the A2 ceiling, a 19-inch front wheel, road-first with a bit of gravel in mind. The Voge, built by Loncin, comes with more standard kit; the Honda with a proven engine and a long warranty. Here's how to separate them.
Specs side by side
| Item | Voge 525 DSX | Honda NX500 |
|---|---|---|
| New price (France) | €6,695 at launch (2023); 2026 price to check with the importer | €6,799; €7,299 with E-Clutch (since February 2026) |
| Engine | 494 cc twin, DOHC, 8 valves | 471 cc twin, DOHC, 8 valves |
| Power | 47.6 hp (35 kW) at 8,500 rpm | 47 hp (35 kW) at 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 42.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm (44.5 Nm per the press release) | 43 Nm at 6,500 rpm |
| Weight | 190 kg dry | 196 kg wet |
| Tank | 16.5 litres | 17.5 litres |
| Seat height | 810 mm | 830 mm |
| Wheels | 19 / 17 inch, spoked | 19 / 17 inch, cast |
| Suspension | Adjustable 41 mm KYB USD fork, KYB shock | 41 mm Showa USD fork, Showa shock |
| Front brake | 2 x 298 mm discs, Nissin calipers | 2 x 296 mm discs, Nissin calipers |
| Equipment | 7-inch colour screen, Bluetooth, traction control, Bosch ABS switchable at the rear, LED, Metzeler Tourance tyres | 5-inch TFT, Bluetooth, traction control, E-Clutch option |
| Warranty (France) | 3 years (2023 sheet) | 6 years if serviced in the Honda network |
Again, the weights don't compare directly: 190 kg dry for the Voge, 196 kg wet for the Honda. Fuelled up, the Voge is the heavier of the two by about ten kilos.
The Voge's price is the grey area: €6,695 at its French launch, but the 2025 version launched at €5,888 in Spain and is found well under €6,000 in Italy and Spain. Ask a dealer for the current UK price: the gap with the Honda can range from almost nothing to close to a thousand.
On the road: what the tests say
- Voge 525 DSX: the reference test by Spain's Soymotero describes an engine that is "full at the bottom and in the middle", a very precise chassis in corners thanks to KYB suspension and Nissin brakes, and a bike that suits small and tall riders alike. The criticisms: a screen hard to read in bright sun (fixed by the new display on the 2025 model), a brake lever with a hard feel, basic footpegs and suspension soon at its limit on demanding tracks. Verdict: a bike that shines on twisty B-roads rather than serious adventure.
- Honda NX500: tests highlight a bike with no major flaw, at ease on tarmac, frugal, with comfortable range and better braking than the old CB500X. Off-road it's limited to easy tracks — exactly like the Voge.
In short, both target the same use and neither replaces a proper trail bike. If off-road matters, look at CFMoto 450 MT vs Honda NX500 instead.
Servicing: the Honda visits the workshop half as often
| Job | Voge 525 DSX | Honda NX500 |
|---|---|---|
| Oil + filter | 5,000 km or 12 months (published schedules) | 12,000 km or 1 year (European schedule) |
| Valve clearances | Between 10,000 and 20,000 km depending on source: read your book | About 24,000 km |
| Oil | JASO MA2, viscosity as per book | 10W-30 JASO MA |
At 10,000 km a year, the Voge needs two oil changes a year against one for the Honda. Out of warranty, that's mostly time and about a hundred euros of consumables a year; under warranty at a dealer, the difference weighs more. Intervals and things to watch are in Voge 525 DSX: reliability and servicing.
Warranty: 3 years announced by the French importer for the Voge (2023 sheet — check current terms, and the UK importer's), against 6 years with unlimited mileage for the Honda in France, provided it's serviced in the network. Three years ago the Voge had the edge; not any more.
