KOVE 800X | Middleweight UNICORN or too good to be true?

#advnews #chroniclesofsolid
After many requests I am doing a feature video on the KOVE 800X and Rally. Coving the specs and why so many are so excited about the claimed curb weight of 183kg. I also point out some of my concerns about Kove and its place in the motorcycle industry. As well as the adventure bike potential of the Kove 800x.
Link to Rubber Dust's video the Kove 800X decal options • 2024 Kove 800X Rally D...
Rubber Dust website link rubberdust.com/
Thanks for watching,
COS
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[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

I had the opportunity to see and ride with one of the two prototypes in the U.S.. The bike performed amazing in deep sand, singletrack and curvy two tracks. It appears to have very lightweight construction (won't be able to load it down with as much adv gear as a 790) a low center of gravity, and much less vibration than the KTM 790. It looks like a Kove 450 with a larger, smoother engine.

[@PARATERRORIST]

Being the proud owner of an 800x pro here in Greece the official site stated CORRECTLY a curb weight of 191kg and a 19lt fuel tank at the price of 8395 euros i can say that KOVE delivered on their promise. Not wanting a bike to gain status among brand loyal bikers i simply bought a bike straight from the sourse at the price european "chinese made" bikes should be. It is exactly what the tin describes .... exept for the seat that needs a small upgrade. THE BIKE ROCKS

[@mikekolomvos2756]

Για πες,πώς σου φαίνεται;πόσα χιλιόμετρα έχεις; Καλορίζικο!

[@PARATERRORIST]

@@mikekolomvos2756 Σ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΏ ΤΟ ΜΗΧΑΝΆΚΙ ΤΌ ΕΧΩ ΔΕΚΑΠΈΝΤΕ ΜΈΡΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΈΧΩ ΚΆΝΕΙ ΚΟΝΤΆ ΣΤΑ 2000 ΧΛΜ. ΣΤΡΊΒΕΙ ΚΑΤΑΠΛΗΚΤΙΚΆ ΈΧΕΙ ΦΡΕΝΑΡΕΣ ΓΚΆΖΙ ΑΛΛΆ ΕΊΝΑΙ ΖΩΡΙΚΟ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΌΛΗ ΣΤΙΣ ΧΑΜΗΛΕΣ ΚΑΙ Η ΣΈΛΑ ΕΊΝΑΙ ΚΙΝΕΖΙΚΌ ΒΑΣΑΝΙΣΤΉΡΙΟ (ΤΗΝ ΕΣΤΕΙΛΑ ΓΙΑ ΦΤΑΞΙΜΟ) ΔΕΝ ΠΑΊΖΕΙ ΤΈΤΟΙΟ ΜΗΧΑΝΆΚΙ Σ ΑΥΤΉΝ ΤΗ ΤΙΜΉ

[@jasonearles9789]

Report back in 3 years

[@PARATERRORIST]

@@jasonearles9789 you might be right and its a gamble i am willing to take but unfortunately i cant afford an "established" brand and even if i could id rather spend my hard earned cash on fuel, and since the pricing of todays bikes is kind of a status symbol i am happy being on the "cheap" side of motorcycling

[@PARATERRORIST]

@@mikekolomvos2756 συγνωμη αλλά σου απαντησα αμεσα αλλα βλεπω οτι χαθηκε, το μοτο ειναι αγριο, φανταστικό στισιμο εκτος απο τη σελα που την εστειλα για φτιαξιμο εχω κατι πανω απο 2000χλμ μεσα σε τρεις εβδομαδες το πηρα απο το μοτο καματσος στα γιαννενα και μενω μενω ρεθυμνο οποτε καταλαβαινεις για να κανω τετοιο ταξιδι για να το παρω δεν ειμαι και πολυ αντικειμενικος.... αλλα τα σπαει!!!

[@ecopeland1321]

I'll stick with my T-7 until the dust settles , but this Kove sounds interesting and intriguing .

[@Big1_]

Good luck with your 204kg and 70 hp...

[@starseeddeluxe]

I'm wondering about the weight savings being a bad thing?

[@scannorse]

Sorry for you….you will miss a lot of driving fun :-)

[@HartyBiker]

If you want to spend the money on your T7, you can get it down to roughly 179kg. That's the weight of the bike that Pol Tarres rides.

[@scannorse]

@@HartyBiker Standard KOVE 800 Rally weight in at 176 kg with full tank. Then spend som money like Tarres and you will end up in ….far less….:-)

[@WayneMcKenzie]

Hey Mr Solid, can you do a talk on the CF Moto 450MT? That is the bike I'm ready to buy. I didn't think the Kove was available in Australia?

[@jiri1677]

Hi guys, I already try the bike in desert in UAE and of course on road. I have to say this bike on the road there's no problem to go smoothly 180km/h super sweet and same time I crossed the desert so from my experience there's no other bike like that regarding the weight and performance and price

[@MLeitao]

There are already Italian reviews, 1.90kgs full tank for the pro. They arrived this week in Europe.

[@nikolaosalexis9793]

Moto magazine in greece has recently weighted it, i received the bike 3 months ago in greece feels very light

[@lhurst9550]

Can they tell us what is parts are lighter? Obviously longevity concerns here....

[@Angry-Lynx]

192kg. This guy is useless, there's plenty of users in Greece and Italy and plenty of reviews on the nets

[@yourmamalikesmacncheese]

@@Angry-Lynx You're so angry

[@timbrandt7211]

Wow that is crazy, that’s 100 pounds less than my 990. Hard to comprehend.

[@AndrewSmith-lj6xq]

Here's a few things that might allow Kove to hit those weights. 1. Production costs for manufacturing premium materials. If you can fabricate titanium or magnesium at a significantly lower cost than other countries then those materials become viable for a cheap motorcycle. 2. Low grade materials are cheaper. To quote an old Australian ad, "oils ain't oils". And the same can be said for exotic materials. Yes it might be a magnesium clutch casing (just as an example) but is it as good as the magnesium manufactured in a first world country? Might be the cheap version. Couple these together and you can do first world manufacture at third world prices using second-rate exotic materials. This doesn't mean it's bad, it's just a way of delivering a lot of the benefits (but not all of them) at consumer grade cost. You can market it as "titanium this, magnesium that" and it's true and it gives you the weight advantage. But the quality disadvantage can be invisible here. Does it matter for most of us hack riders? Probably not.

[@RobertRobert-d2r]

See my comment above regarding wet weight calculations to realize the weight is NOT anything special.

[@Gud-y2s]

Without really knowing anything and just speculating, my guess is that if you strip down a ktm 790 and this Kove to a rolling chassis, there won't be much difference. The tanks on the 790 are probably heavier, exhaust, fairing with brackets, the Rally has a single disk front, saves a few kg. I haven't owned or worked with a 790/890 but with other older adv bikes and there's an amazing amount of kg to save if you really want to.

[@scannorse]

@@RobertRobert-d2r You need to try the bike instead of sitting calculating….then everything will be clear for you.

[@scannorse]

@@AndrewSmith-lj6xq Other things than materials can give a lower weight. Just see what they did to the 450Rally EX due to construction choices.

[@SkintSNIPER262]

Kove has said they replaced a lot of parts/bolts with titanium ones to help bring down the weight..

[@lr_spb]

I believe China is poised to replicate what Japan did to European motorcycle brands in the 1970s. Surprisingly, Japan and Europe seem indifferent. If the major players don't step up and release the models we anticipate, China will dominate the market for medium and light motorcycles, overtaking Japan and Europe.

[@WayneMcKenzie]

"Made in China 2025" is only next year and we are now seeing the high quality results of that long term program.

[@Mar_Tin]

I'm wondering since years, how deep japanese are sleeping.

[@bossmonkey1126]

You could not be more wrong The Japanese are a very proud people and could never tolerate the embarrassment of shoddy cheap junk. ( there were teething problems at the start of Japanese modernisation no doubt) The Chinese worship money and are mesmerised with it 's accumulation They believe wealth will bring relativity. They will build a shit pile if they can turn a dime on it. Chalk and Cheese my friend.

[@ianross225]

The Japanese innovated. I see no innovation from China, just copying at way lower cost. The West has allowed China to do this by manufacturing in China in order to claim environmental achievements domestically.

[@tracythorleifson]

I think China is more like the USSR, and may very well just implode. That’s what history tells us happens to communist dictatorships, and that’s clearly what China is reverting to. I’d be more inclined to put my money on India and outfits like Royal Enfield. But, yeah one or both are likely to take over the market.

[@paoloforti3762]

Kove 800 X pro was weighted 193 kg with a ful tank of fuel also in Italy ( Source 2 Ruote )

[@gunthernussmuller4863]

1977 - the first Flat-Twin BMW GS-prototypes just had 132 kg !! ( High Tech 47 years ago ?? )

[@Sunny-rf3bg]

There is a reason tho

[@axelfiraxa]

The 1977 BMW R80/7 has a wet weight of 215 kg. Where did you get 132 from? If you are saying prototype, sure cause you dont need any of the things that make a bike road legal, catalytic converters were not a thing, ABS pumps and lines were not a thing, PAIR was not a thing, the original GS was more of a naked which just means less bike overall, suspension was thinner and definitely not as competent

[@chrishart8548]

​​@@axelfiraxathe HP2 boxer engine duel sport was extremely light for such a bike 172kg dry weight is not bad for a 1200. .

[@jimtitt3571]

One of them was reportedly 128kg (no fuel) but they weren't really the prototype of the 80GS, they were the race bikes and not actually built by BMW. More titanium and magnesium you can imagine, 17 were built (an 18th was built recently by the original builders). I tested one in 1980 for a dirt-bike magazine in the UK.

[@axelfiraxa]

@chrishart8548 that is true but even then it is still a 200kg wet weight bike bringing it more in line with a current day 890 ktm adventure

[@davidcauchi2837]

You have raised some very good issues about these bikes. It's very difficult if the Chinese can't be open and honest about this product. It seems very good, so why not be open about the tech on the weight reduction. The CEO leaving is a concern this man engineered this entire project. What will happen to future development by KOVE? David....Adelaide....Triumph Scrambler 1200X....

[@volvogt21]

I wish you were right about other manufacturers taking notice but they havent seen the tourag as a threat. Fully adjustable kyb 240mm travel both ends sub 200kg and nearly 90hp with an exhaust change. Good to see a Chinese company taking up the next round of the fight. I have no idea how or why they make bikes so heavy now. An early 1200gs was less than 200kg dry.

[@samuelfox8126]

No one can ride without their hand warmers now haha, and other pleasure comforts.

[@billcotton1551]

It looks pretty stripped down, Solid. I will say this, the Rally version is gorgeous.

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

CF Moto 450 MT, here in Oz, they have a dealer network & the bike is selling like hot cakes. Kove, not yet imported to Australia.

[@charliequach6399]

MNC just released a comprehensive review yesterday. Curb weight is 196 kg and 81 hp at the rear wheel. They did say the tyres they used could drop a couple of hp compared to the stock tyres. That's still impressive though as the CFMoto 450MT has the same wet weight.

[@SkintSNIPER262]

Not every Kove 800 has weighed in at 196 though.

[@TheCunneen]

It's possible to shave 20kg of the 790. Single disk-4kg battery -2.5 cat -3.5 light exhaust -2kg abs model -4kg . Skinny wheels -4kg. Deleted headlight and brackets -3kg. I've done this to my KTM.. if this was available I would have just bought this

[@bogdandanailescu]

The former CEO said in an interview at EICMA (if I remember correctly) that the weight saving was achieved through tiny weight savings on multiple parts. The fact that it has the failing KTM engine (faulty cams lubrication system) is a much bigger issue in my book.

[@starseeddeluxe]

Someone said that they had modified the engine and it's not actually the same cam oiling system anymore. They apparently did address the cam lubrication (or whatever problem the original engine had). Unfortunately I can't remember what channel I was watching when I found that detail of information, but I did come across information stating that the engine has been updated on the Kove to address the oiling. (Down below in the comments, someone mentions that the Kove 800 has a "smoother engine" than the 790, although that might be the rider's perception).

[@axamitidynamit8355]

They rebuilt the top, changing the shafts to heavier and improving the oiling. That’s the most important advantage here - same engine but better

[@TheSupasonic82]

@@axamitidynamit8355 scource? Or is it "trust me bro"?

[@Teamteddygaming]

I thought only CFMoto shared the KTM engine?

[@MickH60]

@@TheSupasonic82 Totally redesigned head, use your eyes. it looks NOTHING like the KTM head

[@actstuntcam]

Good to hear some more about the KOVE 800. It isn't anything we haven't heard about the bike before, but the silence around KOVE (And especially the 800) has been deafening. No idea if we'll ever get them in NZ. I took the CFMOTO450MT for a ride the other day (Vid coming out tonight) and what a great little bike (If a bit underpowered and overweight). I would love to see if Vanguard and Blackrock bought shares in KOVE. If you can see an investment by them shortly before the CEO 'resigned', you'll have your answer, as to why he left. It will also spell the demise of any performance bikes coming out from their company.

[@AdventureBert]

It's the same motor having cam issues in the Ktm, so even though this bike is probably incredible it will probably be a headache.

[@KurtGAndersen]

Yup - unfortunately very true….

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

A promising Chinese built motorcycle, ruined with potential reliability issues with chocolate cams by using a KTM motor. The irony 🤣

[@TRAVERSE_ADV]

Its a clone not made by KTM. Google ZF-KY.

[@AdventureBert]

@TRAVERSE_ADV Well I read it was a ktm engine under the CFmoto blanket license.

[@TRAVERSE_ADV]

@@AdventureBert I asked point blank that exact question to a European importer and was told, no it's not under lisence and is built in house at Kove. I then asked if there will be any patent issues in the western market (as it shares 90% of its casting aswell as bore, stroke and power/torque figures with the KTM 790 engine) and was ignored. So after some research, I belive its manufactured by someone else and assembled by Kove. The casings are slightly different to the KTM and the CFMoto. It cost alot of money in tooling to change a casting. A pair of surf flippers cost over 15k. Image how much an engine would cost to re tool just to change the castings a little bit to avoid patenting legalities. If it was under license there would be no need to make if different from the otheres. I may be wrong but this is my conclusion from studying the evidence. There has been lots of conflicting information in groups online so I tend not to read too much into anything even from distrobutors, except when they post videos of bikes on scales with visibly full fuel tanks. If you look at the casing and the sticker on the rear plastic on all the 800x models there is "ZF-KY" on them. "ZF-KYMCO" www.newzf-ky.com/EN/ Then there is this CoLove (Koves old company name) that used a Zongshen engine "KY500GY". After some more digging around, I think it's a honda 500 twin clone. www.mychinamoto.com/forums/showthread.php?9127-Initial-review-of-the-CoLove-ZF500GYx

[@scottm.456]

Small correction, sir.. they don't offer a 790 R in the US anymore only the base 790 made by cfmoto..if you want an R model you have to get the 890R and it is $15K USD before tax and license.

[@shuben6020]

I have a friend here in China and ridden 800X. Great experience. He is very happy with it. Lets see how the long term quality is.

[@bio179]

As some one who actually tried this bike in the pro version with half a tank of fuel: - yes it is that light it's almost hard to believe. It's a tall bike and I'm short. I didn't even had go use my hands to center it. - the engine sounds like a KTM but it's not - it's very powerful, this is the main downside I found, the throttle is way to sensitive out of the box for such an engine. - on par with a tenere on comfortable - it sold out in Italy everywhere, wait time is 6 months

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Thanks for the on the ground info 👍

[@tracythorleifson]

It sounds kinda like a Hooters restaurant here in the states - _”delightfully tacky, yet unrefined.”_ 😉

[@bimfred]

can you remap throttle?

[@bio179]

@@bimfred it has different riding modes if that's what you mean but all of them where very similar feeling, ECO mode was better and very manageable for city use. After my comment i talked with the dealership and they said it's expected to change with a firmware update but they didn't know when yet.

[@MickH60]

@@bimfred yes

[@hamster1966430]

165kg dry. 19 litre tank. Assuming 750kg/cu.m density then, 3/4 of 19kg of fuel is 14.25kg. 165+14.25=179.25kg.

[@ktmkevin]

Plus around 3kg of oil, and 2 kg of coolant.

[@davidc1961utube]

I bet they will revise the stats as soon as the actual bike shows up in showrooms, appologize for the "mistake", and everyone will move on. The 186 is probably dry, and the difference between the listed wet and dry weights is about right, putting the wet weight within a few kilos of the KTM. The real decision is the price vs. dealer network. In North America, I would pick the dealer network. In South America, where the difference between dealer networks is less, I might lean towards the Kove. That said, in South America I would prioritize reliability, and lean towards Japanese. Good to see you are feeling better. Cheers, mate!

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Cheers Dave 👍

[@Angry-Lynx]

There's no probably or speculation, it was weighted by journalists long time ago, 191kg ready to run with full tank

[@davidc1961utube]

@@Angry-Lynx Got a link?

[@axamitidynamit8355]

@@Angry-Lynxindeed. My friend bought one and the first thing he did was taking it to a scale. It shown 190,5 kg wet, with everything topped to max.

[@Angry-Lynx]

@@axamitidynamit8355 people are way to obsessed with those numbers anyway, bike weighting the same can feel 20% lighter or heavier

[@soilsmanadv6673]

I agree with the third guess at weight savings. The same reason a Beta 300rr is ten kilos lighter than a husqvarna 300 TE

[@burddog0792]

Only way a twin will be that light is: 450MT if it gets a ton of aftermarket, KTM brands the 450MT and the 490 - slightly better components and aftermarket, or Aprilia if they make a Tuareg 457. All three of those options people will complain it's expensive and not Japanese.

[@MarkTann]

I’m pretty sold on this bike, I’ve been following Kove’s progress for over 18 months and they have impressed me greatly. The Kove 800x Pro is due in the UK in three weeks and was launched at the Adventure Bike Riders Festival at the weekend. I sat on a display model and it is very light and despite the quoted 875mm seat height, I was flat footed on it. I currently have a KTM 390 Adventure, which I love, but can’t get my feet flat sat on it, despite it having a lowish seat height. The Kove is only 8kg heavier than my KTM and is the bike I wanted last year, but it wasn’t available. I’m looking to test ride it as soon as it’s available and if it delivers as promised, will be swapping by beloved 390 for one, sorry KTM. 😢🏍️👍

[@snupermoto723]

Made out of Chinesium, the lightest alloy known to mankind

[@chroniclesofsolid]

😆

[@Angry-Lynx]

Because honda or KTM never lie and is so ethical 😂

[@willisbcteoh9840]

Good one 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆 truth is funny sometimes 😅😅😅

[@sobhi05]

Omg, underrated comment! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@georgesinclair1393]

The Cheesiest🧀

[@johannescarlsson4559]

Given the record we should be able to trust Kove more than we trust KTM. To be honest, being a skilled engineer specialized in mechanical design potential this bike is legit. If you look at the design there´s some obvious things that put the Kove in a different class. There´s allot fewer parts, fairings small useless plastic covers. This one is built with the amount of components similar to Enduro bikes. That´s the first thing to do when making things light. Remove all unneccesary components. Then you look at the layout, and shape of the parts. There´s a half cradle frame with a split top that allows a simple fuel tank to be dropped inside. fairly similar to the KTM. The cradle frame can flex, so less prone to force concentrations and cracks. They shaped the tank to be the exterior surface, so no need for those extra plastic cover that you se on a T7. Swing arm is a welded aluminium piece just like enduro bikes and not the monstrocity of the KTM 790/890. Nothing new tech really. Just a simple clean design,

[@Weltbummler23]

Right on solid, regarding your first point, kove has a history of shady marketing with their 450, wouldnt be surprised if something similar is happening with the 800. The chinese version of the 450 is 145kg curb and has long maintenance intervals, both of which had the western media reeling when first announced. When it came time to deliver to the states, the bikes had different components and weighed about 165kg wet and had about 1/3 of the original claimed interval for oil change and valve checks (in regular riding, not race). Kovemoto website still says the 450 is 145kg curb, but try buying that version in the west. Regarding your third point, theres a european ex pat youtuber in china posting about his kove 800x. He mentioned the low curb weight is indeed real and theres weight savings in various places across the bike. main ones are: aluminum frame, non ferrous engine case, removing a lot of needless plastic around the bike, factory lithum battery, to name a few. Time will tell whether we get this exact 183kg curb spec in the west, but im not betting on it. If we do, kove has indeed pulled off a miracle and ill be checking out that bike!

[@craigdavies8099]

Non ferrous engine case... can't think of an iron block bike engine!!

[@Weltbummler23]

@@craigdavies8099 looked at his review again and he said there casing is non magnetic… if this is normal then yeah no potential weight savings there

[@scannorse]

Not correct

[@Weltbummler23]

@@scannorse everything I stated can be verified online. check the main kove moto website for specs and cub weight, check the US site for specs, they are different. Check the early media articles about the maintenance intervals and check the service manual for the US delivered bikes. What's not correct about it? Can you explain the discrepancies?

[@scannorse]

@@Weltbummler23 You are mixing up informations, that shouldnt be mixed. (I have both bikes here…)

[@cdavey7654]

Interesting concept, but I don't want to deal with the KTM reliability issues.

[@adrianzamora3174]

As far as i hear from people around me, main KTM problems normally goes around the electrónics in the bike, and weak expensive plastics that crack on first crash. haven't ear nothing about the 890 engine, apart of the not very beautiful valve sound, but its not really a reliability problem in real life

[@adrianzamora3174]

So from my point of view they take the best of ktm

[@donderstorm1845]

ktm hasn't been having as much reliability issues these days.

[@alanwade2962]

KTM "reliability issues" is only spoken about by people who have never owned a KTM. I have 2 Yamaha's, a Kawasaki and a (my third) KTM in my garage. Not one of my KTM's as ever had any reliability issues. Not once.

[@Michael-Masi-2021]

KTM are dumpster fire to deal with as a company, but that doesn't mean the engine itself is unreliable.

[@ozbiker5311]

I emailed kove about dealer in Australia and this is there response Currently because of some policy and regulations, we do not export to Australia, yet. And we do not have distributor, either. So please stay tuned and thanks for your focus on our brand!

[@MickH60]

They have passed ADR requirements, there's a thread on one of the Aussie ADV sites...

[@ozbiker5311]

I emailed Kove andthis was there response about Australia Currently because of some policy and regulations, we do not export to Australia, yet. And we do not have distributor, either. So please stay tuned and thanks for your focus on our brand!

[@ronalddurkin8344]

Look again, the Kove 800 I ran my handsover at the ADBRFest recently had a one piece frame. The sub frame was welded on and AND is a U channel constructon not square etc. Shades of 800 Triumph writeoffs due to bent one piece frame in falls etc (though they also welded on the pilion foot pg mounts, main cause IMHO. Like the bike though, interested as to who will pick them up here.

[@Xoxox-q5e]

Tried this today. Wow it's good. Small when you stands next to it. Plenty of room when you ride it. This is it, guys.

[@leevuong8843]

7000 serie aluminum and Titanium bolts will help save a lot of weight

[@patrolus1]

Love that bike! - I wish KOVE was available in Australia, we ended up buying a CFMoto MT450 instead of the Kove 450 ... Same might happen again with the 800.. :(

[@Big1_]

Who cares about that ex-colonial Jail Island ??

[@patrolus1]

@@Big1_ The Inmates you tool. Who else?

[@patkennedy1]

That's a fairly ridiculous statement. Let me guess - you've never been here, have you? The reason there are so many comments on here from Aussies, in spite of our relatively small population, is that there is a far higher proportion of riders here, and we have ideal conditions for this style of riding (in fact ALL forms of riding). A large country, with a small population (perfect for motorcycle riding, and developing independence, and thinking for ourselves...). That's why so many of us ride - all year round. Perhaps you should try it before you make such an ignorant comment. No, on second thoughts, stay where you are! I take it your homeland was never a colony, and has no jails? 😂

[@Big1_]

@@patkennedy1 I dont want to be closed in an ex-colonial Jail Island with kangaroos. Good luck being closed there thinking that "You are free" 🤡

[@MickH60]

@@Big1_ wow, you're as clever as my fence....well done.....

[@jaegermeister1968]

The Kove 800 looks fantastic but 89.5cm seat height in the rally version is also extreme. Unfortunately, the brand is not officially available in Austria and Germany and the 450 is only grey imported at a correspondingly high price.

[@bio179]

On the Pro version which is 87,5cm with my 1.73 height i was on my very tips but the bike is so light you can balance it on one foot very very easily. It feel like a tall dirt bike. If you have any enduro experience and are slightly taller then me then the rally would probably be just fine. Consider the bike is also very slim, i found it very similar to the Tenere and Transalp 750

[@jaegermeister1968]

@@bio179 I'm 1.80m tall and had the T7 Extreme to test. 91cm seat height and I could hardly move the motorcycle while sitting because I was only standing on the ground with the first 3cm. If the Kove comes to us, I'll definitely take a look at it

[@danb6497]

I had a chance to ride it, it indeed feels really light. Gotta add that standard and pro version have different brake calipers. Both calipers are made by Chinse companies, so I am not entirely sure what the difference is

[@gasdive]

I prefer the dry weight. It used to be the normal. 165 is amazing, and interestingly 2 kg lighter than the R 80 G/S, arguably the first true adventure bike.

[@ripmax333]

But unfortunately you need fuel to ride it so dry weight is meaningless.

[@bcgraham3512]

​@@ripmax333 'Wet weight', which means the tank is brimmed, is meaningless unless all bikes in the comparison have the same size petrol tank. Compare the wet weight of a 883 Harley Sportster (peanut tank) with an Adventure bike with a huge tank - tells you nothing useful. I want to know the weight of the bike with all necessary lubricants, coolant if applicable, the standard battery and NO fuel. That's the only way to compare apples with apples. How much fuel you put in after that is up to you. The tank capacity will be in the specs.

[@pkosmasjr]

​@@bcgraham3512don't you think fuel weight and tank placement affect performance/handling?

[@gasdive]

@@bcgraham3512 exactly. It makes no sense to compare wet weights. A Kove 450 Rally isn't really 30 kg heavier than a Honda 300 Rally. It just has a 31 litre tank instead of a 12 litre tank

[@MickH60]

@@pkosmasjr That wasn't his point at all.....

[@izmesamsung2581]

The 800 Rally was weighed roadworthy, with 1 liter of fuel in it - 162 kg! Sure, no environmental rubbish or ABS, but that's impressively light ..... I want one!

[@GermanMassa]

The difference in weight between the different versions must be due to their equipment. The lack of a front disc in addition to the type and material of both discs, the lack of a luggage rack, handles and rear pedals, the suspension may be different, the exhaust without pollution certification, a lithium battery, the fender, the spider, the handlebar , the reduction of hardware in general due to the lack of all those pieces and some other details can thin the motorcycle much more than is perceived. It is very logical that, since it is a rally model, it dispenses with many parts that greatly reduce weight, compared to the standard version, which is still light compared to the rest of the segment. I think the inconsistency is in the photo, which in both cases is standard.

[@lcdubs7847]

The issue is still dealership network. I'm reluctant to buy a Aprilla, Triumph or Royal Enfield because there are no local dealers. I'd be that much more hesitant to buy a Kove, even though it looks like exactly what I'm looking for.

[@cyclopathic998]

FWIW find video of Kove CEO on EICMA 800X had full aluminum mirrors

[@camerongiles-webb7807]

All good, BUT, WHERE to buy these in AUS. I'll take the 450, please.

[@chroniclesofsolid]

If you find out let me know 😅

[@Berecutecu]

The 450 is the one to go. 30 liters is the light bike for long travels.

[@thefathippy]

*If* it's @185kg wet, reasonably capable, and actually sold through a dealer network here, I'm interested. Much heavier than my 690, but just the right size for the big lap.

[@peterprzywara5258]

I hope the riding ergonomics are improved in this model as all the cf motos are designed for small people and anyone over 6 feet is going to struggle with the cramped-up riding style that is uncomfortable for long journeys.

[@veetwotls]

So it has the TOFU cams in it same as KTM790/890/Nordon 901

[@stacksmasher]

The only thing I worry about is parts. What good is a bike if I cant fix it when it breaks.

[@joshdoddadbod]

I suspect there will be some serious sacrifices to get it to that low of a weight. Ill stick with my T7, but will be keeping an eye on this.

[@johannescarlsson4559]

T7 has all the porky design elements making it heavy. Many many small things add up

[@Big1_]

T7= 204 kg ad 72hp of Toy.... 🤮🤮🤮

[@johannescarlsson4559]

@@Big1_ 72hp is plenty if you're actually offroad..

[@Big1_]

@@johannescarlsson4559 Yeah but i life out offroad too, i have to take the road, overtake... And i want too emotions, and believe, 72hp are not going to give you nothing. 164hp of my CBR 1100xx is perfect, and 100hp from my Hornet 600 is " ok but a little bit more woulb be perfect... like 120hp" Now imagine 72hp dude... Sorry but no.

[@johannescarlsson4559]

@@Big1_ yeah, but the T7 feels way more powerful everyday than that CB600, it's got a super nice torquey engine and tops out at 200km/h. There's no lacking power on a T7. But if you never ridden adventure bikes it's easy to just compare the specs. There's an over focus on power really.

[@ERUtheWINDRIDER]

Hello Solid. 1 The engine is not KTM, it may be ktm inspired but from what I heard it has way more torque low down. 2 The bike has been weighted by independent journalists already. 3 I throw a leg over it @EICMA in 22 and it it nimble, obviously I could not weight it but is very light. Also a contributed factor is the low height of the bike (I'm 1.69m in a good morning).

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

Not a KTM motor will be a plus. Strange how things have changed. A Chinese motorcycle and the concerns of reliability are because of KTM’s chocolate cams

[@AdventureBert]

It's literally a ktm motor under the CFmoto blanket license

[@ERUtheWINDRIDER]

@@AdventureBert Literally everyone who rides this bike described the engine to be very and I mean very different from the KTM engine, that I own.

[@AdventureBert]

@@ERUtheWINDRIDER I hope that's the case, we have a Kove 450 rally and love the bike. And the 800x appears to be an exciting bike

[@axamitidynamit8355]

@@ERUtheWINDRIDERbut you do know that "more torque low down" can be easily achieved with different mapping without touching the engine itself, don’t you? Regardless, it is a KTM motor but improved.

[@vplph]

The translation is not top... on the same sKove motor site their 450 kove rallye comes at 145 kg curb... the bike has been checked at 150 kg dry by users. My 950 adv comes at 193 kg dry after some diet. That bike has alu rear frame etc... The 800 X could maybe come at 185 kg dry, but curb 185kg seems very improbable ....

[@timbrandt7211]

Yeah wow I love my 990 and swore I’d take it to the grave, or as long as I can ride, but that’s like 100 pounds less, unbelievable really. And I was unaware they were using the 790 motor.

[@vplph]

@@timbrandt7211 we have to go easy on those 950/990... parts are getting harder to find unfortunately

[@kyrduc]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGGWpax9fMh8fbc😉

[@VictorCeccato]

Its 183 kgs until someone weighs it.

[@Angry-Lynx]

192kg. This guy is useless, there's plenty of users in Greece and Italy and plenty of reviews on the nets

[@alq1967]

183 Chinese kilos...

[@alq1967]

Ah... that makes sense.

[@silverdale3207]

@@alq1967 Just like the little 12v pumps that claim to go to 300psi( struggle to get to 30 before they go up in a puff of smoke), The Chinese don't mind lying to sell a product.

[@MickH60]

@@silverdale3207 Only gullible fools buy garbage from China, Know your product ! There's simply tons of high quality stuff coming out of China, I've been buying from China since around 2010, Motorcycle discs, brake components, handlebars, risers, tools, sunglasses, clothing, leather goods, custom made parts and more , NEVER had a dud part or product.... Do your homework, there's shit stuff made everywhere, if you know what you're buying, you won't get caught....

[@johnharvey5338]

Garry the importer in the US had a rally x for the show in Las Vagus and they weighted and it was about 165kg with 1 gallon of fuel ready to ride,

[@Angry-Lynx]

My KTM 640 adv is heavier and feels light as toy compared to adv bikes

[@Teamteddygaming]

Release dates for any Kove model in Australia?

[@ronalddurkin8344]

Update, Rally Pro upcoming test by MCN UK seems to show the same welded one piece frame I saw in the UK (probably same place Ragley Hall) , so where your side shot grahics (link below etc) show a bolt on sub frame, dont know what model that really is?

[@scottishboer3126]

How much is it snd can it carry two passengers nicely Me and wife do lots of off roading in Africa

[@scannorse]

And in a few months the 800 Rally will emerge, which is a big lump lighter than the 800Pro. Eu5+ approval in october…. Been riding the 800 pro since may, excells in any aspects :-)

[@JagLite]

Sounds good. I will wait and see.

[@johnclowes3502]

I was impressed until you said it had the 790 motor.. not sure aware but there is a massive problem with the cam shaft.. it would be very informative if you were to take a look at this.. in my opinion this should class action for KTM.. I find disgraceful that sucks a large company can shaft their customers

[@permaculture3]

Hey Solid! I’ve been seeing rumors of a 2025 DR800. Is there any truth to this or just wishful thinking? Keep up the great work!

[@tracythorleifson]

DR800?! You just made my heart go all pitty-pat! 😃

[@IAmYourReflection]

Ofcourse not

[@dune7824]

That'd be amazing. Bring back the DR BIG.

[@marcutrillogibert9154]

I've bought one Kove 800x pro , only 1100km but suspension is very great, weight is 190Kg but the tank only have less than 18 litres capacity. Engine similar to KTM 790, I've replaced for my tenere T7 that was over to 45000 km. T7 is more smooth but Kove is more capable.

[@Damienchristidis]

I just had my MT09 tuned and I indicated to the Owner of the business that I was considering a CFmoto450. He advised to wait a little bit longer due the suppliers not having a complete inventory of parts yet.

[@maz998]

Thinking of doing the same swap

[@Damienchristidis]

@@maz998 I am indeed

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

I went into a Yamaha dealership here in Qld last week, I asked the salesman if he'd seen the new 450MT. He replied he'd bought one & is picking it up next week....

[@maz998]

@@Damienchristidis me too. Hard choice though as the mt09 is so fun and sounds amazing.

[@Damienchristidis]

@@maz998 I am one of those kids you see playing with a toy, then reaches for a new toy but still wants to keep the old one! I need to get passed that lol

[@MotoProspector-pv6wf]

The rally version is 364 lb with 2 gallons of fuel and I'm afraid they thinned out everything and there's going to be issues with bent frames rims everything. A light powerful bike just don't crash or ride hard with it.

[@Zt3v3]

I'll let you know what I think of this bike in 2034 when I get my 1st ride on my new used bike.

[@josephreisinger33]

What about parts availability when something brakes? Is this company that good? Cheers mate. 👍🖖💪

[@chroniclesofsolid]

That would be my primary concern if I was an owner.

[@WorldwideRealityVideos]

same motor as the Ktm? Pro or con.....

[@Joe-fi4hv]

I think the story behind the CEO provided some reassurance and hope to those more skeptical. Him stepping down undercuts that completely. I’m not buying one until others have positive long term reviews and proven reliability. No amount of savings pays for having a breakdown when your hours deep into the wilderness.

[@jackmosby]

But can it compete with the 690 enduro? That bike seems to monopolize the swiss army knife motorcycle space.

[@johannescarlsson4559]

Different animal. 690 is still 20kg lighter. Kove has a better frame design, swing arm similar. Engine twin adds about 10kg + more fuel range. As it is now the Kove 450 Rally is kicking the 690 of the dual sport throne. Really hope this trigger a wave of clean lightweight bikes

[@moose250R]

After all these years the Chinese are doing what the Japanese did years ago. Providing cheap and reliable transportation to the American market. They are pushing the industry forward. Let’s see where it goes. I’d love to test ride the Kove 450 Rally the 800x and w few of the CFMoto bikes too.

[@ynotjf]

So $1000 less and 35lb lighter than a 790 Adv. same engine similar suspension. The market is thirsty for a 400lb Adv bike but chinesium? Seems like a gamble..

[@untrainedprofessionals2374]

Easy way to sort it is just roll one onto a set of scales. Bike makers have fudged weight numbers for ages. The base Triunph Tiger 800 claimed 210kgs (from memory)Wet/Curb weight. New flash. It wasn't.

[@laynesellers]

How easy is it to change the air filter?

[@kloppskalli]

KTM 790 ADV (without "R" ) for 10,990.00 USD looks like an amazing deal but then you need to pay 1000 extra for the electronic goodies (rally pack). I'm confused about the weight KTM states on their webpage 203 Kg (without fuel!) I thought they were like 190kg ... would still rather buy the Austrian-Chinese bike than the Chinese only bike

[@miro_s]

Hey solid! Thanks for this. I don’t see why it would be impossible to make a small twin around the 160/170kg mark! Imagine taking the 690 platform as-is and stick in it a 500cc parallel twin of the sort of the LC8a. You’d have a budget of 20kg to add a cylinder and relative paraphernalia. Given that ktm can produce entire enduro engines at 25kg, why not?

[@starseeddeluxe]

Exactly. Single cylinder motorcycles need to be PERMANENTLY discontinued. A single cylinder engine cannot ever reach the balance of a parallel twin, because the twin has pistons that are half the weight. Parallel twin engines sound beautiful, and single cylinder engines sound like a lawnmower. Imagine the sound of a motocross race if everyone was running 250cc parallel twins with super loud exhaust?

[@miro_s]

@@starseeddeluxe that might be a little drastic, but it’s an interesting point.

[@miro_s]

@@delusion2987 just found out one exists, the cfmoto 450mt. Would be interesting to try it out

[@miro_s]

@@delusion2987 yes, indeed.

[@miro_s]

@@delusion2987 PS. Noticed the kove 800x is 185kg fully fuelled, or so they say. Know nothing about it tho…

[@Angry-Lynx]

That, and extensive aluminium usage and general weight saving. Another concept that goes way over head of most users is that all bikes are compromise of being good with being cheap to produce.... No company is making the best bikes possible.... You want proof? Try and buy a true rally bike, you know the stuff not sold and used by pro riders in Dakar etc.... Completely different toys

[@TimSwift-f5r]

I really want to know the trust moving forward with my moneme from endruo to adventure riding, i know yore a WA rider so please share??

[@wmbushUT]

Ive sat on the normal model. it felt very light!! felt sturdy. I didn't like the dinky bars. 7/8'? and the shift/brake levers felt cheap. My main concern would be if this is the same engine as the KTM790.. thing is not reliable...

[@timbrandt7211]

Massive cam lobe wear, but who knows if they fixed it

[@alanwade2962]

@@timbrandt7211 Do you think that KTM would just sit back and say "f**k it" if there's a known issue in their motors?

[@timbrandt7211]

@@alanwade2962there’s an entire forum dedicated to the cam wear and they are currently signing a petition and threatening to sue KTM for ignoring the issue, so yes is the answer to your question. Either way I have 4 KTM and love them, don’t have one of the problematic bikes.

[@TheFoxyt2]

My gpx cured me from wanting to try something like this I really regret buying a gpx 300r. Wish I’d bought a ktm 350

[@kai-uweoch1159]

My ”adventurized” Husky 701 (small crash bars, lightweight luggage rack and small front screen and GPS platform from Adv Spec, standard 13l tank) is 165kg wet ready to ride. No way that they made a two cylinder bike with 185kg wet.

[@timbrandt7211]

Yeah me too, 690 rally set up, seems absolutely crazy to think of a twin with that HP for just another 55 pounds, wow. Yet there are a few 800 owners chiming in here. I guess I’d have to see it with my own eyes to believe it.

[@johannescarlsson4559]

How is that no way? The engine is only 10kg heavier and the 701 frame is a pretty stupid design. No way a 500exc is 35kg lighter than a 701 ;)

[@rethinking-h8k]

There are reviews from Italy, the real wet weight is 193. Measured by the magazines. 12 kg lighter than aprilia. Same design of the fuel tank.

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Thanks👍

[@johannescarlsson4559]

800x Pro?

[@rethinking-h8k]

@johannescarlsson4559 yes. The pro version All the magazines in Italy have tested this bike. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGOwlWWVfrB3gM0si=obplkgqmyKhkUWBk For example.

[@1971puffy]

Looks good.. I like the fuel tank size, need more dealers for me to be a buyer..

[@churchofbrap876]

And China to stop supporting Putin

[@haraldsimon2807]

I like the traditional enduro design. The 800ccm is more as enough and it is my preferred size. - Riding the 1090 Adv R at the moment - The Kove will be the next one if KTM fixes the motor and eletric troubles. Sure, we have to wait until we know the weight optimizatioin has no impact on the durabililty.

[@888jimmy]

Can you even buy Kove in Oz? Sounds like more marketing sensation than technical fact.

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Nope, not available here otherwise I’d have a test ride and see for myself 😢

[@WayneMcKenzie]

So can you buy street legal Kove in Australia? I just did a search and I can't find any dealers or any Koves for sale.

[@chroniclesofsolid]

Nope not that I can see. It’s why this video is all hypothetical. Nothing for me to test myself 😢

[@Angry-Lynx]

All mater of time my roo riding mates no worries, they still only starting with sales worldwide

[@generaldistrust]

RALLY *all the waaayyy* especially the one presented at the expo, the *factory* stripped-down 160-170 KG one!!

[@stephenhill8262]

I sat on the pro version in the showroom and it felt way lighter than my T7

[@DA-pb5yl]

790/890 engines have been suffering from camshafts failures. If you buy Ktm/husky/kove or CF with 790/890 engine you’re gambling that you will have your camshafts fail at 10-15k miles.

[@Heraklej]

Where is link to these stickers i want to order it ASAP

[@chroniclesofsolid]

rubberdust.com/👍

[@charliepyle1626]

has it got the cheese cams

[@07mickd]

no mention of the engine component IE, the cam issue that ktm are having .ktm dont give a rats ass about their customers

[@davechavis4275]

You are solid! But never again KTM anything, if i wanted to walk id be a golfer.

[@thodoris3790]

Thanks,but i ll wait for the 2025 tenere

[@johannescarlsson4559]

Needing the automatic?

[@patkennedy1]

Looks like the '25 Tenere hasn't changed much.

[@thodoris3790]

@@patkennedy1 its not reveled yet dude

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

I'd definitely wait a year to see some real reviews as riders get some time in the saddle and evaluate reliability. The CFMoto 450 Ibex is more my idea of a unicorn bike but it's too heavy. I wish Kove would make an ADV version of their 450 Dakar rally bike - large fuel capacity, large rear rack, off road oriented and reliable. My *real* hope is that the Toureg 660 and CHYNA bikes pressure mainline motorcycle companies to finally make the light ADV bikes we want.

[@timbrandt7211]

More fuel range on the Kove 450? You realize it has like 500km range with its 3 tanks, and it is super off road orientated given they’ve finished the Dakar. One can make an adventure bike out of anything but I think the Kove 450 is already pretty close. Look on the forums and you’ll see the new luggage rack choices, modifications etc that they’re doing. I’m not ready to give up my 690 yet but I’m watching it.

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

@@timbrandt7211 - I didn't say "more fuel range". I said "an ADV version of their 450 Dakar rally bike - large fuel capacity...." I'd like an ADV version of their rally bike that has a large fuel capacity, but add a large rear rack, keep most of its off road orientation with maybe a few concessions to ADV comfort and convenience for road use, more of an emphasis on long term reliability rather than race performance, etc. One feature I'd like to see is the ability to fully refuel someplace that didn't require luggage on the rear rack to be removed.

[@timbrandt7211]

@@UltralightMotorcycleCamping ahh, gotcha, ok. Yeah understood on the rear luggage/fuel, such a pain in the butt on my 690. My friend just got back home literally tonight on his Kove 450, just rode from the US to Costa Rica, so I’ll finally be able to check one out and ride one. He said it felt comfortable and easily cruised at 120kph or 75mph. I can’t remember if he bought racks, definitely soft luggage.

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

@@timbrandt7211 - I'd *love* to see a video report on that US to Costa Rica trip. That would go a long way toward satisfying some of my concerns about reliability, if not long term durability. There is an awful lot to like about the Kove 450 Rally. I'd love to see the off road oriented ADV version, although I agree that the aftermarket can make it an ADV bike, more or less. I was disappointed to see a video of the Aprilia Toureg 660 that had a leaking crankshaft oil seal, the first dealer insisted the oil was chain lube (it clearly wasn't) to avoid a warranty repair, the second dealer admitted the seal was leaking oil but a week later still didn't have authorization from Aprilia to perform the warranty repair, so the guy rented a car and went car camping in California rather than moto camping (ugh), bought an REI duffel bag to stuff his panniers so he could check the luggage when flying home, then he'll eventually need to fly back to get his motorcycle. I normally don't assign much value to dealer support because I do my own maintenance and minor repairs, but that story doesn't make me want to buy an Aprilia.

[@timbrandt7211]

@@UltralightMotorcycleCamping yeah wow that’s too bad, the 660 sure looks interesting to me too. I’m a small guy so I don’t want a huge bike either. I also do all of my own maintenance, so to some extent I’m ok with my older bikes (990, 690, VStrom). But someday I’ll be needing a new bike. So yeah my friend bought his bike in Ca, then did some little rallies in Baja for a week and then rode it all the way down. Can’t wait to see the bike. It’s definitely an interesting option. Seems like a growing community too. What a bunch of idiots all of the other big brands, could’ve produced this bike years ago.

[@pepperthepep]

When will it be available in Europe?

[@NoRoads2AllRoads]

already is

[@Angry-Lynx]

Greece, Italy, Poland already is but imports are slow and people are still mostly waiting than buying

[@StupidusMaximusTheFirst]

100hp/180kg?! This looks like an Africa Twin done right. The tech is there to build this kind of lightweight bikes and maintain all frame strength requirements, it's just that most manufacturers for one reason or another won't do it. Why they've beaten the already established KTM, if they did? Maybe cause established manufacturers have also an already established long chain of distributors they get their parts from, and many other reasons, there are advantages when you are new to something, when you have to do everything from scratch, including choosing who you gonna work with, who you're getting parts from etc. On the other hand, despite the good looks of the bike, when you try to bring the weight down, you also need those design innovations, not just materials or strong lightweight parts, and what is plainly obvious in the video is this old school luggage system, you just don't do this on a lightweight designed bike, there are better designs, I've definitely seen them around, you wouldn't design in such a way and get a 180kg, something's gotta give. Maybe the translator gave up like you said. So yeah, who knows, maybe it's a good bike, maybe it's not, time will tell.

[@RobertRobert-d2r]

Wet weight is usually calculated with 90% fuel. That is about 14kg. With oil, coolant and those crash bars [minus one front disc and caliper] you can add about 30kg on top of the claimed 175kg so it will weigh about the same as the 890 KTM. No magic materials or shaving grams here and there. It's called basic mathematics.

[@johannescarlsson4559]

You are adding wet weight to wet weight. The standard 800x is around 185kg fully fueled. About 20kg less than a std T7. And the 800x Rally is 10kg lighter (Wheels, ti-exhaust, crash bars, rear rack, single disc). With some mods you can shave 15kg of a T7 also.

[@vincedemarzio9167]

Bikes have already been reviewed by Italians channels, weight claimed is legitimate. They didn't use any steel, it's all aluminium...even the mirrors!! Shame that the top guy at Kove, who engineered and really pushed for this bike, has left. So now has to be seen what direction the company will take.

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

He's still a company director but no longer CEO stated in the letter on their website.

[@adrianzamora3174]

About the Weight thing, i haven't check about the size of the bike, but chinese are not so tall i think😂, maybe the bike neither.... Or the frame is thin as f., who knows. Seems like the perfect bike that others have to try and test before i decide to buy a good cheap second hand one

[@bigjoe4020]

I have been interested in this bike from the moment I heard about it and especially about ITS party piece THE WEIGHT. But I had 2 concerns from the beginning which were and untested motor built by a company that I know little off and IF that kerb weight is confirmed that it was saved by making components too weak. Lets face it if the tubing of the frame is paper thin then what good is it. It won't be able to keep up with my fat ass of 115kg + luggage. Now you're telling me that the engine IS a know component and basically the KTM790. Well if that's true then one concern is off the table but the other still remains. I hope the weight is accurate AND the frame and other parts won't crack left, right and centre because they made them too weak to save weight. So I won't be buying one straight away and wait a year or 2 to see where this one is going. But like you said I hope the other manufacturers take notice and get their bikes under the 200kg wet weight as well.

[@Angry-Lynx]

Frame is rarely more than few kgs ... It's not place for weight savings.... And how do you think they'd get homologation in say Europe if frame would be crackin under your fat ass jesus u people is so ridiculous

[@colinbowman8816]

The 790 motor is a plus in your opinion? It's got to be the least reliable motorcycle engine produced in the last 20 years.

[@bigjoe4020]

@@colinbowman8816 I was just thinking that its KTM vs UNKNOWN motor BUT on 2nd thought your might be right.