VOGE SR16 (2025) – Review

While the 125cc scooter market is dominated by big-name giants, VOGE - the premium brand from Chinese manufacturing powerhouse Loncin - is rapidly carving out a reputation for punching above its weight. For 2025, it took on the lucrative ‘big wheel’ segment with the SR16. This is a bike designed to tackle the potholed reality of modern urban commuting with more stability than a traditional small-wheeled scoot. It's answer to the likes of the Honda SH125i and the Piaggio Liberty though isn't simply a budget alternative; it’s a tech-heavy contender that aims to prove Chinese brands can offer the same level of safety and refinement as the European and Japanese establishments. With a 16-inch front and 14-inch rear wheel to smooth out the bumps and a liquid-cooled heart, the SR16 represents a significant step up in VOGE’s small-capacity ambitions.

Storage space a-plenty plus neat rider-friendly additions are simple yet effective perks while a sub £3k price tag also adds to the appeal. We banged in 600-miles and here’s how we got on.

Pros & Cons

2025 VOGE SR16 - Price & PCP Deals

VOGE typically positions itself just below the premium Japanese bracket while offering more goodies as standard. With a £2799 + OTR price tag (c.£2999 total), the SR16 is positioned to make the established players look expensive and get itself noticed.

What makes the VOGE proposition interesting isn't just the sticker price; it’s the extras that come included. While most brands charge extra for top boxes or tech integration, VOGE has included the likes of keyless ignition and luggage as standard. Even a 1080p dashcam. For a commuter looking at monthly PCP payments, the SR16 is likely to present a very compelling all-in value. The three colour options of Matt Black, Matt White or Dark Olive Grey don’t affect the price, and a sample 3-year HP deal looks like this:

Cash Price: £2999.00
Total Deposit: £499
Total Amount of Credit: £2500.00
36 Months Payments: £78.99
Duration of Agreement: 36 Months
Total Amount Payable: £3342.64
Annual Fixed Interest Rate: 4.70%

2025 VOGE SR16 - Engine & Performance

At the heart of the SR16 is a modern, liquid-cooled 124.8cc single-cylinder engine. Loncin, VOGE's parent company, has decades of experience building engines for major European brands, and that expertise shows here. The motor produces 11.4hp (8.5kW), which puts it right in the sweet spot for A1 license holders and CBT riders.

It isn't about peak power; the SR16 is tuned for the stop-start nature of city life. The torque delivery is focused on the low-to-mid range, allowing for quick getaways from the lights. The engine also features a Start-Stop system, like Honda's "Idle Stop," which cuts the engine when stationary to save fuel and reduce emissions, then restarting instantly the moment you twist the throttle.

Transmission is the standard CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) twist-and-go. VOGE has worked on minimising the ‘rubber band’ feel often found in budget scooters, aiming for a direct and linear connection between the throttle and the rear wheel.

Most modern 125cc scooters have a top speed typically ranging between 50 to 70 mph which allows them to be ridden, with the correct licence, on a dual carriageway thus increasing their practicality. The SR16 touches an indicated 62mph but takes a good while to get there. Performance is not why one buys a machine such as this, instead smoothness, reliability and efficiency take precedence, which is a bonus because the VOGE is particularly lethargic. The aural sensation tells you that it is making an effort, but rice pudding skins will remain unphased by its acceleration prowess.

Turn off your ears and the scoot certainly moves from standstill smoothly enough, and progress towards terminal velocity, while slow, is consistent. There is no lurching or transmission lash to upset your shopping or passenger.

Fold-out pillion pegs, LEDs and a large colour dash are all neat touches

2025 VOGE SR16 - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

The "16" in the name refers to the 16-inch front wheel (paired with a 14-inch rear), a configuration chosen specifically for stability. Larger wheels behave more like motorcycle wheels, meaning the SR16 will not be as easily deflected by ridges or potholes as a 12-inch wheeled scooter. The diamond-cut exposed surfaces on the wheels look quite fancy, too which is a big plus given that traditionally the larger wheeled scooters do not usually have the visual appeal as 10” - 12” rivals.

The chassis is a classic steel tube frame, designed to provide a balance of agility and rigidity. Despite the larger wheels, the SR16 remains lightweight at roughly 140kg (kerb), making it easy to weave through gridlocked traffic or manoeuvre into a tight parking spot. The lock-to-lock steering angle is worthy of praise.

Braking is a standout feature for this class. You get disc brakes front and rear, but the real talking point is the inclusion of dual-channel ABS and switchable Traction Control as standard. In a segment where some bikes still rely on Combined Braking Systems (CBS) to meet regulations, VOGE’s inclusion of a proper anti-lock system is a major safety win. The rear brake’s TC is particularly keen to interfere… sorry, I mean keep you safe.

Plenty of storage but only a small helmet will fit under the seat without scratching it

2025 VOGE SR16 - Comfort & Economy

Comfort is paramount for a daily commuter, and the SR16 offers a classic upright riding position with a flat floorboard - making it easy to hop on and off, while providing a bit of extra weather protection for your legs. The standard huge screen is easily removable and should fend off the elements for riders of all heights. There are also removable clear hand guards to keep the wind off fingers in the absence of heated grips. A nice touch here is that they are angled to shoo any wind or rain away from the rider. Simple but clever.

With knees directly below palms and a narrow floorboard for my size 10s, plus the enormous screen just 10” from my nose (I clunked my open visor on it at least half a dozen occasions), I felt a little claustrophobic on the rainy rides. While the riding position would have your chiropractor chirruping praise, the windscreen is virtually vertical, and the lack of top end power means the rain does not clear and instead impedes your view. At 6ft tall, my eye line was perfectly in line with the top of the screen and so I had to sit even more upright to see over the top. Really it needs a windscreen wiper. That said, during one rainy ride, only my knees bore the brunt of the weather. Gloves, trunk and even visor remained dry.

The 800mm seat height is accessible, and the ergonomics are designed to accommodate a wide range of rider heights because the front of the seat is narrow as is the floorboard, meaning both feet can be flat on the ground when stationary. While the one-piece seat material was comfortable enough, the hump to differentiate rider and pillion was, for me, in the wrong place. Referring to the claustrophobic feeling, I felt like I was sitting too close to the screen and LCD display.

VOGE has paid attention to the pillion experience as well, with decent-sized grab rails and fold-out footpegs. A full-face helmet can about fit under the seat, and another one can fit in the standard 34 litre top box. There’s certainly more room in the top box for one. My AGV Jet lid would be scratched if I used the under-seat space too much. Oh, and there is a little hook in front of your legs to hang your cod and chips from the Friday fish run.

On the economy front, liquid cooling and fuel injection ensure the SR16 is incredibly frugal. While final claimed MPG figures are pending, similar engines in the VOGE range easily clear 100mpg. We saw a best of 106.3 mpg and a worst of 83.4 mpg in our time with the SR16 to give an average of 96.3. And there was a lot of flat-out riding… From these figures, this gives a theoretical 165 mile range from its generous 7.8 litre fuel tank.

The screen needs a wiper for a clearer view on a rainy day but does an excellent job of keeping the weather away (except my knees). And note the dash reflection.

2025 VOGE SR16 - Equipment

This is where VOGE beats the competition. The SR16 comes loaded with features that are usually reserved for 300cc+ maxi-scooters, such as:

Integrated Dashcam: A built-in camera at the front of the bike records your rides to an SD card - a brilliant peace of mind feature for city riders.

Keyless Ignition: Keep the fob in your pocket to start the bike, lock the steering, or open the seat. And yes, it beeps, a lot. I wasn’t even sure why at some points.

TFT Display: A clear, full-colour screen with Bluetooth connectivity for turn-by-turn navigation via the VOGE app. Though it’s reflection in the windscreen on gloomy days is a little off-putting.

LED Lighting: Full LED setup including a distinctive DRL (Daytime Running Light).

USB Charging: A USB-A port in the front glovebox to keep your phone topped up. That storage space is also big enough for a big ‘phone.

2025 VOGE SR16 - Rivals

The big wheel 125cc market is competitive. The Honda SH125i is the undisputed king of this segment, but it comes with a premium price tag. The Piaggio Liberty is the stylish European choice, while the Yamaha D'elight offers another reliable Japanese alternative, but without as many practical features as standard.

Honda SH125i | Price: £3,549

Read more

Power/Torque

12.3bhp/8.8lb-ft

Weight

134kg

Piaggio Liberty 125 | Price: £2,850

Read more

Power/Torque

10.9bhp/7.9lb-ft

Weight

124kg

Yamaha D'elight | Price: £3,200

Read more

Power/Torque

8.3bhp/7.2lb-ft

Weight

101kg

2025 VOGE SR16 - Verdict

The VOGE brand has been on the rise in the UK over the last 24 months or so, helped no doubt by the big selling adventure bikes, so that brand reputation and recognition benefits the SR16. The scooter’s big appeal is the price-to-kit ratio, so with all that tech and storage space, a sub-£3k tag is hard to ignore when comparing what you get for your money like-for-like. As an urban traffic digestor and public transport alternative it’s a no-brainer with many monthly travel cards exceeding the repayments on this.

Other than being a little sluggish and having a screen that doesn’t suit rain, the VOGE SR16 is a great option for dashing into town for a bit of shopping or as a regular commuter.

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2025 VOGE SR16 - Technical Specification

What is MCIA Secured?

MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.

As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.

MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

• A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard

• An ignition immobiliser system

• A vehicle marking system

• An alarm system

• A vehicle tracking system with subscription

The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.

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