Voge dimensions, wheelbase and ground clearance

Two questions the specification sheet answers and a showroom visit does not: whether the motorcycle fits the space available to store or transport it, and whether it clears the ground it is intended to be ridden over.

The figures

Model	L x W x H (mm)	Wheelbase (mm)	Ground clearance (mm)
DS800X Rally	2380 x 910 x 1460	1586	220
DS900X	2325 x 940 x 1420	1580	190
DS625X	2230 x 850 x 1395	1465	220
DS525X	2215 x 840 x 1365	1450	200
650DSX	2190 x 840 x 1390	1490	230
525ACX	-	1450	200
525R	-	1445	165
500DS	-	1445	165
500R	-	1445	165
300 Rally	2150 x 875 x 1405	1430	165
300DS	-	1360	-
125R	-	1310	-
SR4 Max	-	1565	167
SR3	2100 x 795 x 1390	1525	140
SR1 ADV	-	1330	140
SR16	-	1358	135
SR1	1945 x 740 x 1265	1320	120
FR150	1955 x 755 x 1120	1290	145
SR450X	2175 x 885 x 1395	1525	180
525RR	2100 x 770 x 1090	1445	165
250RR	1955 x 755 x 1120	1360	150
250 Rally	2110 x 875 x 1405	1430	-

A dash indicates that the manual prints the remaining figures but omits that one.

Ground clearance does not follow model size

The 650DSX carries 230 mm, more than the DS900X at 190 mm, although the DS900X is the larger, heavier and more expensive machine. The DS800X Rally and DS625X both stand at 220 mm.

Ground clearance is measured to the lowest fixed point, generally the exhaust header or the sump guard mounting, with the motorcycle unladen. A substantial part of it is consumed by suspension sag once a rider is aboard. The four road models listed here, the 525R, 500DS, 500R and 300 Rally, all sit at 165 mm, which is consistent with a road chassis.

Wheelbase and steering behaviour

A short wheelbase turns quickly and grows nervous at speed; a long one behaves in the opposite way. The spread across the range is considerable. The FR150 at 1290 mm and the DS800X Rally at 1586 mm are separated by almost 300 mm, and that distance accounts for much of the difference between a motorcycle that is flicked into a corner and one that is steered.

The figure that stands apart is the SR4 Max at 1565 mm: a scooter with the wheelbase of a large adventure motorcycle, which explains both its stability at motorway speed and its awkwardness in a car park.

How the height and width figures are taken

The height recorded in a Voge parameter table is measured to the top of the screen or the instrument binnacle and does not include the mirrors. Where a garage door or a van is being measured, approximately 200 mm should be added for the mirrors, or the mirrors folded.

Width is measured at the widest fixed point, generally the handlebars or the hand guards. Panniers exceed both. For transport planning the motorcycle should be measured as it is actually equipped, with luggage fitted.

Points to confirm before purchase

• Storage: overall length plus room to walk around the machine. The DS800X Rally, at 2380 mm, approaches two and a half metres.
• Ramp or tail lift: ground clearance and wheelbase together determine whether the motorcycle grounds at the transition.
• Height under a shelf or door: add the mirrors.

Related pages

The measurement that determines whether the motorcycle can be held at a standstill is covered in Voge seat heights, and its permitted load in weights and load limits. Suspension travel, which moves the ground clearance figure under load, is set out in suspension travel and fork diameters.