There are many Chinese brands, both in cars and motorcycles. But Chinese brands that manufacture for European brands and that, in addition, improve the original product, there are not so many. In the world of motorcycles there are two Chinese companies making a tremendous noise: CF Moto and Voge. If you are inside the world, surely they sound to you. And, if not, you will have heard of BMW and KTM. They have a lot, a lot to do.
The Voge case. Voge is a premium motorcycle brand created by Loncin, one of the largest Chinese manufacturers not only motorcycles, but also engines. Loncin Industries was founded in 1983, and is a Chinese industrial giant in its native country.
This giant He has been collaborating with BMW since 2005year in which they closed an agreement to manufacture components and engines for the company. If you have some years on the back you will know the BMW F650 fs. His engine, from the 2007 model, was manufactured by Loncin in China. Always under the guides and standards of BMW, but in China and outside the German and Austrian factories (Rotax).
Voge | BMW.
With the passage of time, this agreement was renewed and resulted in that Loncin not only made for BMW, it could also benefit using technology and development of these engines developed together. The most popular example has been that of the VOGE 900 DSX, a motorcycle that shares engine and technology with the BMW F800 and F900S, both with the company’s bicylinder 859cc.
These motorcycles are separated a few thousand euros, and more if we configure the GS with the VOGE equipment. The strategy of European manufacturers is to sell them the “peeled” motorcycle, the Chinese usually sell with the maximum equipment.
Voge’s plans for 2026 are ambitious, they seek to expand in Europe, and their trail is already among the best selling in Spain. In other words: they have gone from manufacturing motors for BMW to compete with the Germans selling motorcycles with the same engine.
The CF Moto case. With CF Moto, something relatively similar happens. This Chinese manufacturer was born in 1989 as a motorcycle producer, engines and other recreational vehicles. As of 2011, CF Moto began as an importer of KTM in some parts of the world, to later assemble some of its vehicles for the Chinese Meracdo.
With the passage of time, in 2017, KTM and CF Moto established a joint venture. Interestingly, CF Moto has 51% of KTM shares, and KTM “only” 49%. Technically, KTM is more than CF Moto than KTM. Thanks to this alliance, both companies share technology, engineering and production lines.
This has resulted in the best Moto Motos motorcycles use the same KTM engines, in even more refined versions to solve the classic endemic ills that dragged in the past. KTM benefits from the agreement by increasing its production capacity (basic models, such as the Duke of low displacement, are produced by CF Moto), and CF Moto benefits from KTM technology.
The numbers in Spain. The 2024 registration top They are still taking companies like Honda, Yamaha and Kymco, although there begins to be hole for Chinese brands. Voge and Zontes have been the first to sneak into the Top 10, and will see what happens to CF Moto after the launch of its 450mt and its future 800 MT-X, direct rival of the KTM 790 Adventure.
Image | CF Moto