Breaking News Kove 800X Super Adventure Kove UK

[@marcusgeorge1825]

Hi mate, couldn’t agree more about the downside of the seperate fork functions that seem to becoming more and more the “gold” standard. Unsurprisingly, I haven’t heard a motorbike journalist provide any negative comments regarding them. Interesting. Keep up the great work you do.

[@barebonesmc]

Ayup mate, hope alls well, ive been building a video about "progress" lol all the things that are BETTER now lol, not the list of fake improvements keeps growing 🙂 have a great week

[@MickH60]

Because they aren't separate, that's why no one else mentions them...

[@barebonesmc]

@@MickH60 the facts seem to be that the standard model is a split system the pro is damping both ways both sides, a lot of conversations and some differences depending on location, no answers on engine redesign yet either

[@marcusgeorge1825]

@@MickH60 In most systems, both springs and dampers work together within each fork leg. In others, one leg contains the spring and the other contains the damper (separate function forks). What happens when one fails on a bike that’s equiped with SFF? I believe the answer is fairly basic to understand.

[@ascutt]

I've ridden the 800 Pro 2 weeks ago, arranged through Oliver at Kove UK, and have a bike on order after selling my Tuareg - that's how impressed I was with the Kove. Just to correct a few details, the X Pro comes with 48mm KYB forks, fully adjustable with compression and rebound damping in both legs. The standard gets 43mm forks with split damping. The Pro also gets a preload adjuster knob on the piggy-backed shock. There is no cruise control or quickshifter, and I've been told that the EU models don't come with the wiring for the quickshifter either, so you can't add the OEM one. Regarding the weight comparisons remember that the Kove holds 20l of fuel vs 16 for the Tenere and 17 for the Tuareg and that neither of those come with engine bars or a rack, which are both standard on the Kove. I tried laying the Kove over, after brimming the tank, and was amazed how light it felt. Trying the same test on the Tuareg with a full tank was very different and I expect the Tenere would be even worse. Time will tell how reliable the Kove will be but delivery is due on the 8th and I have a ton of riding planned for my 800

[@barebonesmc]

cheers for that mate, it does seem like there are differences in the different markets, but that is good to know. keep us posted. Being honest, I wanted to be, but wasnt impressed by the Tuareg, and tested the V85 at the same time, which not only felt better built, but was easier to move around despite it being so much heavier. The rack on the Kove in China was rated at 5kg, is it any better here? have they looked at the mounting of the bash plate yet or is it still bolted to the engine block? Have to say, i would want the heavier bashplate that Nelis picked up, his link is in the description if you have any questions, If i remember he ended up replacing the engine bars for heavier ones too, he is a great guy. enjoy the ride mate and keep me posted if you would

[@ascutt]

@@barebonesmc I have a ton of upgrades on order, I'm trying to build a Rally version or as close as I can. The bash plate on order mounts to the frame. The rack still has the 5kg limit from what I remember. It was strange, I never really got on with the Tuareg, some seem to love it but I'll not miss it. Sat side by side, the Kove looks so much neater, all the bike and engine components seem better designed and located on the bike.

[@RichardS-qh8mi]

@@ascuttVery interesting- I tried the Tuareg last year and was expecting to love it, but it was the complete opposite. Within 10 minutes the seat was killing me, the bars were far too high for my arms, it was very tall and I’m not short at 178cm. After 30 minutes I returned early completely underwhelmed. Even the motor didn’t excite me though it undoubtedly has power when needed. Handling was ok as expected for a 21” front and ADV geometry but when adding in all the above I was disappointed. Shame really as I wanted to like it. However, just sat on a CF Moto 450mt and immediately felt at home with great riding ergonomics and able to flat foot it on what seemed a comfortable seat. My only gripe is will I miss the PTWR on and off road compared to the Kove 800 which has twice the HP? - 44hp or 94hp…not sure I need all that grunt anymore expect for relaxed motorway cruising getting to the adventure zone.

[@barebonesmc]

@@ascutt i look forward to hearing about it. re the rack, that is so silly to me, You can put a top box on but you cant put anything in it lol, do you have a rated max load or GVW yet? that is anoother question i havent got anywhere with. with the low weight, that is something that needs checking for me. good luck with it all

[@ascutt]

@@barebonesmc I've just seen in the manual that maximum payload is 150kg

[@paulcoverdale8312]

We got one in Sway the New Forest ❤❤🙏🙏👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@barebonesmc]

enjoy mate, i decided with a 150kg max carrying capacity it was no use to me, id have to choose between the gorgeous one or luggage and i need both to tour, wish that hadnt been the answer to be honest

[@sargoii]

Thank you for the in depth review. You have corporate and design insights that set you apart from other motorcycle reviewers. Several reviewers of the Kove 800X have commented on issues with uneven, jerky, on - off fueling. This video makes no mention of that, but I personally will hold off from purchasing until I hear this has been smoothed out. High mileage (20,000+) reliability reviews on this engine are non-existent also, and with the known camshaft issues of the KTM engine from which this was derived, I think that the 800X is, for now, a risky (although exciting) gamble. Also, I'd like to see a higher than 150 kg weight limit on the bike so that two up touring can be done more comfortably. Why not beef up the frame so it can handle two up touring? I mean who cares if the extra weight brings it on par with the T7, seriously, this bike does 82+ hp at the wheel! In this, it's got the T7 beat! I assume that Yamaha shaved the weight on the T7 as much as they could while still maintaining its robustness. But two up touring ability is important: many of us look at ADV bikes as "do it all" bikes.

[@barebonesmc]

The 2 up and luggage is the killer for me. Last tour I was almost half a ton rolling with fuel lol. Agree with most of what you say and would be more reassured if I got a better answer than “we redesigned the head” when I ask what’s been done differently. I was very disappointed when zhang cue resigned and wanted one of the other board members to step up and that hasn’t happened either

[@sargoii]

@@barebonesmc Yes, it doesn't speak much about a commitment to build a reputation for reliability and to earning the trust of consumers. I am curious about whether you noticed any jerkiness in the throttle response as others have pointed out?

[@barebonesmc]

@@sargoii it’s a bit choppy but many low miles bikes can be. Compared to the 450mt it’s smooth. Compared to a transalp it’s a bit harsh. Probably more comparable to the Tuareg but that was before the Tuareg ecu got a re flash. And to be fair. The kove 450 has had several ecu upgrades so no reason the 800 won’t be addressed in same way. Riders who have done more miles say it smooths out over time So it’s either true or they just get used to it 😂😂

[@luxybob]

Hi, just tested the 800 here in Switzerland and the front suspension is not the same as the aprillia, both forks have compression and rebound. Feedback on engine was not so clear, only its a new engine based on the 790 and the cam problems are not replicated, Was a small garage and the guys own bike.

[@barebonesmc]

There does appear to be different suspension on some models. Being honest I forget the details but the conversation is in the comments. I have found a little more out about the changes to head design too. I will do a video at some point. Too early to tell if it’s a comprehensive solution yet I think though. Fingers crossed. The kove and cf Moto engines do run a heavier spring on the oil pressure release valve too. So overall lubrication should be better

[@paulcoverdale8312]

Dose anyone know when the 800 Rally will be in the Uk????

[@barebonesmc]

800x already is. Mostly down south but the people who distribute surron are selling them. Mostly via a car dealership in Oxford ask them. They’ve not responded to me. They’re playing the media game

[@scannorse]

The Kove 800 Pro kayaba fork have compression and return dampening in both legs, nothing to worry about then

[@barebonesmc]

not in China it doesnt, where are you based? seems we may have different specs for different markets if that is the case

[@scannorse]

@@barebonesmc eu/dk. The standard 800 have comp in one leg and return in the other leg. But the Pro is as described

[@d.balabastark7462]

Hey! For the record: the Kove 800x Pro's fork is a traditional one with compresion and rebound settings on each leg (compression at the bottom and rebound at the top), as it should ever be. Then, about rhe engine, despite Kove says that they added DLC to the followers, the fact is that KTM's 790 and 890 engines always has had DLC coating on the followers, and that is why I can't take Kove's words seriously enough. Also, those engines show not only wear at the cam lobes and followers, but also at the cam journals and plain bearings.

[@barebonesmc]

as you will see in the other comments, the fork set up seems different in different markets. and looks like in the UK at least, the standard is a split system, whereas pro version is a more traditional system. re the engine, there are a few things ive been gleaning from translations, but it is slow going. It was easier with an engineer at the top who had a dream he wanted to share. I want to know who's dream I am buying 🙂

[@d.balabastark7462]

@@barebonesmc , from what i've seen in the european model users manual, yes, th standard model has a split fork system and the pro model has the traditional 48mm kayaba fork. I was testing the bike and it's really impressive. It feels like same power as a KTM 890 but A LOT lighter!

[@barebonesmc]

@@d.balabastark7462 i hope the seat is comfier lol

[@tigerrider6711]

The good thing about the Chinese is they are very fast to incorporate changes even mid model year. If there are still cam issues hopefully they get fixed. They’re trying to break into an established market here and have to put the best product forward.

[@barebonesmc]

@@tigerrider6711 there is news on that, but im running behind, theyve admitted vaguely there are issues, but not being very specific, but think the issue is now established, i will get the video done asap, it is something that is about build tolerances, hence why some are better than others, i will go into detail though soon i promise

[@Weltbummler23]

MCN weighed 196kg for the standard model (20L tank version) in the UK. Pro (19L tank) should be a few kg more.

[@barebonesmc]

1 know, their isnt likely much weight difference in the Pro

[@actstuntcam]

Awesome video. I think the Power and weight sound great and probably pretty accurate compared to other manufacturer's claims. I was disappointed to hear about the suspension having the damping separated via forks. I believe the CFMOTO450MT is the same, also disappointing, but that is a cheaper bike, so maybe acceptable. Great work on this vid, I'll share it around :) CHEERS, CAM FROM NZ :)

[@barebonesmc]

Cheers Cam, there does seem to be some discrepency re the forks. the Pro as sold in China is a split system, but there is a couple of people saying its not a split system on the Kove, but not had any real confirmations or pics, the only guy who i know i can trust who owns one in China and always answers straight away and sends pics for me to analyse showed me the Pro he has is definitely Compression on right and rebound on left. but it may be they are changing it for different markets possibly. Ive got some engineering drawings to go through but its all in Chinese so translation isnt straightforward lol

[@TringmotionCoUk]

From my experience (trade) Sur-Ron distribution aims to make dealers profitable, has spares and broadly happy dealers. There is a lot more SKU's in an ICE motorbike however

[@barebonesmc]

a lot more background knowledge required to answer questions from idiots like me too lol PS, they still havent even replied to me lol so a great example of customer service even before we start, especially as i have said i wanted one to the factory for over 2 years now, but without my questions being answered, they dont get my money, easy decision

[@Rolandmotocom]

I have test it on road and off road in Romania 🇷🇴. It was presented by the Sym Romania importer. Also the 450 Kove. What do you want to know about it? I can deliver you information about wet weight etc. Feel free to ask!

[@barebonesmc]

I had all weight and rated power figures months back, they are in another video, what i am after is details about the engineering changes in the engine design, if you can get that info you are a legend 🙂

[@MickH60]

@@barebonesmc Your weight numbers are wrong..... There's already some high mileage reviews of these bikes. Time to go update your information I think....

[@barebonesmc]

@@MickH60 now verified in multiple ways by multiple owners, testers and riders, what are you saying is wrong?

[@FirstnameLastname-pe3ky]

"one for the north, one for the south, one for the east, on the beaches, on the landing grounds, in the fields and in the streets, in the hills; we shall never surrender".... Churchill's at it again I see. At this point I don't know if the guy is doing it on purpose but if not I swear this is Churchill reincarnated mark my words.

[@barebonesmc]

PMSL thats just me and my voice lol, im certainly not trying to copy anyone 🙂🙂Cheers for watching and for the comment mate. Ride Free 🙂

[@PennsylvaniaDualSport]

All you need is a simple KYB cartridge swap and you can have rebound and compression in both fork legs. It’s not a deal breaker. I’d like to know the diameter of the forks they use to look into that possibility more.

[@barebonesmc]

Is it really that simple? the forks are 43mm, or they were when i got the last full list of specs, but that was before the Zhang Xue resignation 🙂 but after the first production run was finished. It does look like some discrepencies maybe too, and i wonder if they are specced differently for different markets, but its easy to say something, less easy to verify it, talk is cheap as they say, being in touch with owners like Nelis who have a bike we can look at it vital in my view, Nelis Janse van Rensburg's channel. www.youtube.com/@Nelisjvr

[@bitterlifes]

Perfect geometry!

[@barebonesmc]

i will always say there is only a perfect for specific conditions and rider, no one set of figures is perfect for everyone, everywhere, but it looks like it does most things pretty well 🙂

[@johnharvey5338]

It is the pro model as I ridden it and includes the quick shifter and cruise control, I was interested in the rally X and they not bringing it in at this time. I rode it 2 weeks ago. They also had a 510 demo in as well, didn’t ride it

[@barebonesmc]

the Rally isnt anywhere yet, it isnt in full production yet as far as i am aware, how come you got to ride it? even MCN hadnt ridden it 2 weeks ago 🙂 is that a quote from Kove UK saying they arent bringing it in yet? cheers for the comment, interested in your comments about it

[@johnharvey5338]

@@barebonesmc I was impressed with the engine lots of good, lentil the bike around 45 degrees and it felt light, not top heavy at all, went out for around 45 minutes on the smaller roads, records top speed and got to to show 100. They are based in a multi franchise car dealer, post code is OX5 1JH and dealt with a chap called Oliver, was a guy there part xing his Desert x rally for one and another guy turned up on a Tuareg to test and compare against, they got the bikes in for the ABR festival, and MCN had the second one when I ride it.

[@barebonesmc]

@@johnharvey5338 hmmmmmm thats where the main hub is supposed to be, but im not down that way and ive had no joy with communication with them to be honest, most of my info comes from outside of the country

[@johnharvey5338]

@@barebonesmc it was an 80 mile run up to them from Portsmouth, friendly and very interested in my feedback, was a small separate area in the dealership, set up with both bikes, the 510 was not the single sided model I have seen online.

[@barebonesmc]

@@johnharvey5338 the single sided swingarm is the 525 i think, the 510 is the same as the Macbor Montana and its sold under the Jawa banner in the Czech Republic. there is another brand it sells under in indonesia, cant remember the name right now. single sided swingarm is heavier anyway. was the place called unity? found a site but nothing re bikes, personally, would i buy a bike of a car dealer? not likely

[@grayl5514]

I like this fellows thoroughness and reserve. Here in Australia there is nothing useful known about the 800. It would be well received, as appears to be the CFMOto 450. Apart from the usual KTM motor build quality issues, it will be a lack of dealers that will put the sword to Kove sales here.

[@barebonesmc]

A good point well put mate 🙂thanks for the compliment , Cheers for the comment. Ride Free 🙂

[@marcutrillogibert9154]

I've bought a 800x pro and suspension works very good

[@barebonesmc]

In general it should, my issue is the "when it doesnt because a seal has gone" problem. i ride across countries and in the dirt, so seals will inevitably go at some point, when they do, i dont wanna be left up shit creek without a paddle, replacing fork seals is not a job for the side of the road unless absolutely necessary in my book, with a standard system, you wont get all the damping, but you will still get enough to be safe, loosing all the compression or rebound damping could be nasty, I just dont like the concept of split systems

[@marcutrillogibert9154]

@@barebonesmc I think there is a misunderstanding here, my forks are symmetrical, you have 3 points of adjust every side

[@barebonesmc]

@@marcutrillogibert9154 interesting, which model and where are you? the Pro model in China (and other countries i have spoken with) have a split system on the front, with compresssion damping on right fork and rebound damping on left fork

[@juliusjacob1416]

A VERY important point you missed, is that on the dyno where the Kove was tested at 81HP, the Tenere 700 was tested at 75HP. This means this is NOT an accurate measurement, because on almost al dyno tests the CP2 delivers 74-75HP, which means that dyno test could also be off around 10HP on the kove. If you listen carefully to the whole MCN review he sais this I think near the end.

[@barebonesmc]

youve confused me (doesnt take much lol) if tested at 75 and elsewhere says 74-75, where does the 10HP off bit come in?

[@juliusjacob1416]

I’m sorry my man, I typed it wrong lol. I meant to say the T7 came in at 65HP at the dyno where the 800x got 81HP.

[@juliusjacob1416]

And with most other dyno runs I see the CP2 coming in at 73-75HP (with no tune).

[@barebonesmc]

@@juliusjacob1416 lol, been there done that 🙂 i would say, if the dyno is 10% out it is a shit dyno though lol, and they dont tend to need recalibrating very often, so if they are using the same dyno it should be pretty comparable, its the oil feed issue the KTM design has that are my concern (there is news on that coming)

[@barebonesmc]

@@juliusjacob1416 somewhere near that id say, although i have seen a lot that are closer to the 70 mark, id probably put 72 down as a safe bet. i do think the Kove will have a few horses over the CP2, but it is negligible, and the CP2 is well proven, if only it had been build for an ADV bike, but that again, is a different story 🙂

[@selrahc2061]

All the shell companies sounds familiar like Hyosung which rebranded under a million names.

[@barebonesmc]

the chain can get complex 🙂

[@selrahc2061]

I wish someone would do oil analysis. At first oil change and 5 th. There have been surprises on bike's internal wear.

[@barebonesmc]

to be accurate really you would need to do a back to back on 10 dyno rigged engines, and then do a back to back average with the KTM's :-) thats a lot of work and engines :-)

[@andymcneil7085]

Great looking machine.

[@barebonesmc]

I like it too, and its not too far from the first prototype they showed which i like too

[@andymcneil7085]

Sadly my riding days are over. Finished early almost 39 years ago. Had the best 6 months of my life. Great while it lasted.

[@barebonesmc]

@@andymcneil7085 sorry mate, hope you have a good weekend anyway

[@andymcneil7085]

@@barebonesmc thanks. Don’t you worry about me, I have a great life. As messed up as I am I am amazing. For example I play 1st division pool 1-handed and I am amazing to see. Sadly no bikes but I can cope.

[@barebonesmc]

@@andymcneil7085 warrior 🙂 good on you mate, would love to see, any videos?

[@scannorse]

All that weight mumbo jumbo does not mean anything. Just drag and push a top-heavy tenere around, compare to the 800Pro….then the weight numbers are totally uninteressant, but your experience is as you really feel the (big!) difference

[@barebonesmc]

i get your point, but i wouldnt say meaningless, but yes, as i indeed said in the video, the weight distribution does seem better from all reports. lets be fair though, it couldnt be much worse than a Tenere 700 lol. the one that surprised me, was that to me at least, the V85TT felt lighter than the Tuareg to move around, it isnt, but it felt it to me

[@RichardS-qh8mi]

Afraid this doesn’t fill me with confidence - Kove need to up their game with regard to transparency of who is who in running their UK distribution and servicing. As for the engine camshaft issue it will not go away until they actually show us what the redesign has achieved. Also, who will be the North, South, East and West dealers - will they have a KTM connection or will they be new to dealing in Chinese motorcycles? Too many unanswered questions currently - if they get their act together I’ll book a test ride and by the sound of it potentially likely buy one.

[@barebonesmc]

no KTM connections going on. the place in Oxford is a big multi brand car dealership, so no real knowledge base, and the only bikes connected in any way is the Surron, so no engine knowledge base. as you say, questions need answering

[@MattPerry]

After what you said about the engine, i think it is better to stay away!!

[@barebonesmc]

Still trying to find out exactly what their redesign is 😊 and not had a statement from cf Moto either. They changed oil pump relief valve spring to increase pressure to 3.5 bar but so far it seems the kove not suffering same but it’s early days. The cf Moto 800s big problem seems to be dirt ingress from a leaky air box seal

[@MattPerry]

@@barebonesmc thank you, i like this Kove 800, and in the future i would like to know how reliable it is, maybe to buy one. Or the next version Kove 800 Rally, with much less weight, they say.

[@barebonesmc]

@@MattPerry I was seriously considering it until I found the gross weight makes a pillion and luggage overload the specs. The rally is lighter with single disc front and less add ins included

[@diggy-d8w]

Suspension, is that the same as I read about in the Honda Rally 300L, one tube w/ a spring & the other w/o any spring? Is this just a greed driven short cut? I looked at KOVE Bikes here in the USA but saw the versions of the 450 & some 250 stuff. I didn't see this 800 listed but I might have missed it? The price range on the 450 was a "Pro" for $13K and the Street version for $9,100 with another version between in price. You've done a great job in researching this network & it sounds as if you're onto them before they are ready? I'd want to know they're a decent group before I spent my hard earned money! Good work, friend. OK, I did find an article the 3 versions of the 800 are coming here but one I read says Amazon is involved? IDKnow about that, I'm learning from you so thanks. peace

[@barebonesmc]

re the suspension, they both have springs, its the damping system that is split, compression damping in one leg, rebound damping in the other, and yes, its a greed thing. re the States, i know GPX had a special run of the Rally 800 done because they are going to race them, but it isnt general sale yet, the 2 standard and Pro models are, but im not 100% they will be doing the distribution. no idea re amazon. and yes, they might not be ready, but talking is better than not IMO. the MX bikes look stunning, but we have no word on them yet at all, i want to see a Triumph Ducati Kove MX back to back 🙂

[@diggy-d8w]

Everytime I turn around you impress me w/ your knowledge of things..... I know it comes from many years looking at the In's/Out's of the industry & being a mechanic, videographer, and people skills. This was good coverage & I've seen a few guys say, "Get the Kove", watch me ride it & you ought to own one. That kind of selling their channel type of stuff but none ever really tell me anything excpet to point the bike & give her gas? Hell, I know that much but I do appreciate the deep dive into who's gonna honor any warranty type issues?? Good question & I wouldn't buy if I lived over there just based on an incomplete or non-existent corporate entity standing behind the bike. I will say the Chinese have stolen their way to competing w/ the Big Boys allbeit on a smaller scale? Good Looks will get many to buy but you kinda brought the question of Who will be there if a problem exists? Great coverage, mate! And I can say that based on what I've already seen sold by Amazon ; bikes that screws backed out from the vibrations. But they are stepping up their game a little at a time. I'm not buying one, ty for the story. peace

[@barebonesmc]

@@diggy-d8w morning mate, and bless you 🙂 you do flatter me 🙂 Kove do seem to be trying to "break the mould" in the same way as CF Moto are. but their tag line is "Touch the Dream" so i want to know whos dream i am touching now the previous CEO who I think had gained a lot of respect, has resigned, the future will tell i guess, happy sunday, hope you have a great day

[@diggy-d8w]

See, I love the fact that someone stepped down before they really got into the job & screwed the customers who believed enough to buy in first place. Your ability to chase all that down is another side of a growing repitwa. I'm not anyone that special but I've seen things about you that I like & so I tell it as I see it. Believe me, there are some guys I call out.... Yes I do & will let them have it after I've bent over to understand something fully. I'm an empathetic being & with that I LQQK and experience people a little different. For every person you'll ever meet like myself, you'll get 100 that are out to shake you down in some manner/fashion. Rest today. You've earned it. peace & GB ALL of You/yours

[@barebonesmc]

@@diggy-d8w a good point well put 🙂 there is just too many people who just shout 🙂 listening is always the more productive option 🙂

[@appymarley]

Too many unknowns negligible weight difference between t7 and Tuareg question mark over 790 motor that is said to be having problems too expensive and it appears sketchy company details and no dealer network... I'll give it a miss

[@scannorse]

Been drinking ?

[@appymarley]

@@scannorse if I had I might be considering buying a kove 800!

[@scannorse]

@@appymarley sorry for you not drinking…..

[@barebonesmc]

I share your concerns about the motor to be honest, which is why i want to find out the details of the engineering changes. but lets be fair, Honda etc, didnt build their dealer network overnight, It is too early to judge much yet i think. I am concerned there has been no statement since Xhang Xue parted ways with the company

[@appymarley]

@@barebonesmc yes it's all a bit vague my mate has a 450 rally and it's excellent but it's unique in the market he is very happy but can't help thinking this is too similar to other offerings that have dealers and back up..and the fact I could buy a yam for similar money just doesn't make it viable ...I own a 790 and all is well but who knows and the market has taken a hit...kove CF Moto all share the same engine

[@williamleonardo8478]

You're awesome thank you very good video I'm glad you let us all know about the did they move their factory to China is what I'm hearing that's why they're selling them for so cheap that means junk

[@barebonesmc]

it is and always has been a Chinese company, they are just trying to break the trend of cheaper poor quality chinese bikes, cheers for watching mate and glad you enjoyed it