Gutless, Harsh & Unreliable? A balanced view of the Kove 450 Rally︱Traction eRag

[@TractioneRag]

Our in-depth one hour Kove 450 Rally discussion: all your questions answered! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnfcknxvjZWZma8

[@Errol.C-nz]

You review title is a little off putting .. good report though .. you DIDN'T defence the exceptional VALUE they're stacking up to be.. will have get an 800 before the Co's quality measures drop with the founding CEO's resignation.. I'd expect being Chinese they'll head down the Chinese cheap cheap crap path very quickly because China can't seem to help it's self break from cheap crap.. I grew up in the jap crap era & now look

[@ryansandefer6887]

Best video I’ve seen breaking down this motorcycle. I’m so intrigued by the Kove. I’ve had experience on all walks of motorcycles. Im always chasing a good ‘big bike’ that can really be ridden hard off-road. Like many folks, I just can’t understand how the big manufacturers are lacking in this segment. The world wants a bike like this, but they also (I also…) want a big manufacturer to make this bike… at a price point that Kove is in….

[@MERMBRAMA]

That will be hard to achieve. Development from scratch, putting good components on, regarding material prices and labour. They can buil such a bike no doubt. But the price would double the Kove.

[@michaelberlinger8138]

I agree 100%. I could be wrong, but I feel like if Honda said "right, let's make a 450-500cc single cylinder with KTM level suspension, hard points for luggage, big fuel tank (low, like KTM? not like they have a patent on that) AND below 330 pounds" and planned to sell it for $25,000USD, it would fly out of the showrooms. What I mean is that looking at another industry like camping, tents for example used to be $150ish 20 years ago, now they're $300-400, with high end ones going for $700+! Same with other camping gear. I think the big 3 JP brands underestimate how much people will pay for a unicorn bike. Honda needs to throw tech and materials at this problem...magnesium like Ducati, carbon fiber for tanks, covers etc, maybe even titanium exhausts stock. The American middle class is gone or going, sadly . We are left with a small group of high earners/ house rich, and the 90% of the rest. Those high income people are now buying 15K Africa Twins, KTMs, GS1200s,etc, and spending 1000s more to upgrade and and add bits and bobs, but you just can't take 100 pounds out of a big bike. At the same time, I think all of Honda's super low price bikes (scooters, XL150 etc) also fill an important (and until now underserved) low end, low cost market. Which, again, reflects America's new economic demographics.

[@monunyabidness5949]

@@michaelberlinger8138Um, i'm faaaaaaaar from a high earner but i've bought a new Africa Twin (3X) because it fit my needs- commuting and touring, perfectly. yes, I bought a new one 3X. (The 2016 was written off in a crash, I wasn't there. The 2017 i was rear ended on, almost 5 years ago. Still riding the 2018.) Because I liked it so much. Here's your unicorn. * Buy CRF300L. * Remove engine and transmission. * Install engine and transmission from CB500 * Upgrade suspension as nec (Or start with CRF450L and skip this step.) * Enjoy. Step 3 requires cutting, welding, soldering and other fabrication.

[@bradsanders6954]

In reality, these are niche bikes, "the whole world" doesnt really want a rally bike. Some might think they do, until the wallet needs to come out.

[@bradsanders6954]

@@michaelberlinger8138 A real, professional marketing person would most likely disagree pretty strongly. A 450 or 500 Rally bike, is for rallies. 99% of us dont ride Rally. But the bikes look cool. A hot 450 engine doesnt last that long. A 690 is the size for a fast single.

[@allanmcdonald4500]

I have this bike in my garage. It has exceeded my expectations. After the initial break in rides it is currently in pieces getting electronics installed, lights, heated grips, racks, protection and other crap I can think of. This will be my "BDR" hard rides and the tiger 800xc will for the easy ones like WA and ID BDR's.

[@themosaito]

Are there pannier racks you can buy for this thing? Would you load it up with luggage and go traveling with it?

[@ktmtravels3727]

If there aren't, I'm sure Kriega OS luggage/base would fit

[@MichaelShaw206]

Still getting to know my Kove 450. It's been poor weather so I'm working on it (heated grips, adjusting the throttle and suspension) more than riding it but I'm really enjoying how nimble it is on the few rides I've been able to do. I'm coming from a Honda 450L and a Yamaha WR250R. It should be a great BDR bike.

[@jasondunn8894]

Appreciate your straight forward and honest review. I’m glad someone has produced an affordable 450 with large full capacity.

[@OverlandTheSlowWay]

I have 5,000km on my Kove 450 Rally, riding off and on road across Europe. Its a great light weight long distance off road adventure bike. Has been 100% reliable, zero issues so far. There are better road adv bikes, and better pure off road enduro bikes, but the Kove does both better than any other bike I've ridden.

[@michael397]

kove has 800x adv bike for long trip 😁

[@rotor676]

KTM 690 is approx the same weight and way more power like the dude says. Other than fuel and wind protection. So for me its not the bike I thought it might be.

[@timbrandt7211]

@@rotor676well, the 690 cost many $1000s more, so the Kove has better value if you are ok with its power. Personally I have the 690 and love it. With an under seat tank and rally screen it’s a pretty good weapon. But if I didn’t have the money I sure would consider this Kove.

[@7x779]

@@timbrandt7211 that's true, especially if you add the expense and weight of a rally Tower an extra fuel capacity to the KTM you could almost by two coves

[@kannermw]

I would never consider 5000km the standard for durability and reliability as that is ridiculously low threshold to project long-term reliabilty. Manufacturing or major design defects appear early in life as failures then later based on quality of design and materials due to mechanical wear, fatigue, and environmental factors. Report back when you have 20,000km or more. Until then it is still unproven build quality motorcycle.

[@iross7345]

Nice review. I haven't ridden a 450 rally bike, however I have plenty of experience of enduro bikes and have raced rally on an XR650R. I have 3 thoughts on the engine / power output. This is the first release of the bike so Kove were probably conservative on power output to ensure reliability. Especially full of fuel, it's carrying a fair bit more weight than an enduro bike so it will feel a bit less responsive. What is the gearing on the bike? If you take any 450 enduro / mx bike and gear it for 100mph it will feel a bit flat compared to one that is geared for 60-70 mph. It's worth confirming the gearing before reading too much into reports of being down on power.

[@bikenavbm1229]

Good points, similarly is it sprung for a bit of kit loaded and at least a proportion of max fuel making it feel a bit harsh half tanked.

[@TractioneRag]

Excellent comment. 👍🏻

[@peterjones7935]

Dont understand why you are talking about the power of a KTM 690 or 701 and then saying the 450 Kove doesn't meet those expectations

[@Rdissss]

Probably since the ktm 450 rally have the same power as a 690 and in the adventure/dualsport world a Kove and a 690 could be something that ppl are choosing between.

[@Dobba1984]

@@Rdissssthe ktm is also 28k not $9999.00

[@Rdissss]

Yes, but not the 690 which is the real competitor to the Kove for a "normal" user.@@Dobba1984

[@show-me-the-details]

Because of the chuck harder comparison between the 701 and kove

[@HoagesMoto]

Both bikes weigh ~145kg dry and the 701 has 74hp..... the Kove has about 20hp less. Price is an obvious consideration but not a barrier for many buying in this category and low slung tanks/rally form for a 701/690 is easly doable on the aftermarket. And while no price on the Kove where I live, the KTM/Husky is 18k AUD not 28 lol, and I'd be surpised if the Kove was under 12-13k if we eventually get an Australian price - so it's far tighter for us in that respect too.

[@chain.driven]

Great review. Your spectrum of riders was very insightful. Coming from a 500 EXC you pegged me as one of the guys who found the power underwhelming. That said I never had long enough with it to try it in the high revs where I heard it wakes up. I’ve always dreamt of taking my 500 around the world but I must be honest that the Kove seems like a much more suited to the task.

[@TractioneRag]

Certainly less fuels stops with the Kove!

[@chain.driven]

@@TractioneRagis it picky about octane?

[@BeatPatrol420]

For anyone complaining about the power on the Standard version... due to Euro 5 regulations they had to numb it down. Get the 3-piece kit: factory titanium exhaust + factory ECU + factory Air Filter. Welcome to Kove Airlines.

[@drzrider3440]

With China manufacturers stepping up their quality, im really considering the CFMoto 450MT this next year. As i have a dealer right down the road from me. Actually a KTM/CFMoto dealer. So far im impressed with most of the reviews of this this Kove. I agree with what you say about not giving it max power. That in fact it does reduce reliability. Like my DRZ400. Not the fastest bike out there. But with mods it does a good job. And i have 53,000 miles of almost zero issues. And still runs better now than when i bought it new in 2012...well had 1200 miles on it, so it was slightly used. Not many high maintenance bikes out there can claim that kind of reliability record.

[@robvanduren761]

Im thinking of buying the CF MOTO 450 road bike. Looks good and it should be more reliable than the opposition.

[@rtrottier14]

Dakar has two "divisions." the originals by Motul was formally known as Malle Moto. this is where the rider can't accept any help but for the other competitors. The other division is like any other racing. Your pit crew and spares are only limited by your (or your team's) budget.

[@billyhong5071]

Apart from the Marathon Stage where riders do their own mechanical work.

[@1998TDM]

Cheers, I was gurning trying to remember the name of the solo riders class, Malle Moto. It's heart brakingly tough! The racers are in the same human group as the TT racers.

[@mototrailz]

@@billyhong5071 They have almost no tools and limited knowledge and limited to 30mins so yes pros don't work on their bikes. Most of them admitted they don't even know.

[@billyhong5071]

@@mototrailz Of course they do if they have a problem. No mechanics and just riders in the bivouac means they either fix their own issues or their race is over.

[@mototrailz]

@@billyhong5071 and if problem usually the race is over that is why they are anxious about the marathon stage. Even Toby said once he could not do the Malle moto category and those guys are real heroes of the Dakar.

[@Prestonesfpv]

Remember when the Honda VTR 1000 SP1 came out back then a lot of those who tested it went on and on about the poor stiff suspension and cooling problems, those problems disappered when you went a 100 mph or above, its a race bike and it was meant to be driven fast and hard, thats when it flows and does its job 👍

[@TractioneRag]

Bingo. Nailed it.

[@LCARSADV]

The fuel leaking out is due to the venting. I had an issue on mine when I was riding the demo for a week. I'm sure they'll fix it, but I just had to be careful not to pinch the vent lines. Fair review!

[@jonjalbert79]

Stock or vented it does it at low speed riding, its extremly concerning when it happens and fuel shoots out of the vent for 10 minute dripping down the side of the bike. Someones bike is going to go up in flames

[@ktmtravels3727]

Could be a dodgy non-return valve between tanks, had an issue like that myself.

[@LCARSADV]

@@ktmtravels3727 it was the rubber hoses that come off the top of the caps, they twist easily

[@jonjalbert79]

@@LCARSADV We had it happen with vented caps nothing pinched and stock. We also cut the rubber in the caps to flow more and the issue has still persisted. A vented rear cap is coming and hopefully it resolves the issue. Its a sick bike otherwise!

[@kuladeeluxe]

Very good take on the Kove Dallas. With an 8 gallon gas capacity, it should be a touring bike.

[@russpaton8877]

Great vid Dallas, I see you have come to understand and appreciate the 450cc rally barrier. I think your overall opinion is pretty right on. Ho many Km you got on each bike (just average) I am just over 500km on mine and have not exper8enced any of the little ticks you and others have mentioned but I deleted the charcoal canister system and tanks vent direct. Also moded the rad cap. I have put the bike down a few times in low speed single no issues and one highspeed 50 foot slid with the only damage being a broken signal. I did have an aftermarket slid plate fitted that did obviously protect the tank a bit more in that slid. Look forward to more vids on the Kove!

[@muppets_inc]

Great video Dallas, I'm looking forward to updates on this bike. I'm not a fan of heavy bikes with loads of power, so the 450 appeals a lot. I am not sure what Kove's plans are for the Aussie release though...

[@michaelmacwilliam3370]

Yep, I’m watching that Aus release too. Allegedly one or two importers are looking at ADR compliance in an effort to plate them here

[@dallas_shannon]

Barry just put out a video, not sure if it addresses AUS release or not.

[@crosstrainingadventure]

Nope. No news yet. Other than a viewer said there will be a distributor soon but gave no details. @@dallas_shannon

[@lukebarton3974]

Any one know a ball park figure ??

[@gianlucajandelli6387]

Good video. I agree with your view. Looking forward to other videos on the Kove.

[@danstevens2204]

The reason it doesn’t have the power of a 690/701 is because it’s a f’ing 450!!

[@billness2635]

Your assessment of the Kove has given me a different but clear impression of it as a bike I’d be interested in considering for my next bike than anyone else who has reviewed it. Well done Dallas! As a devout Kato owner (I currently own a 450exc, 500exc, 690 Enduro R and a 990 Adventure R) that I have ridden and raced in Africa, Europe, Baja, South West US and at home in the Upper 1. I never buy the first generation of any vehicle and would never consider buying a Chinese built vehicle, but this bike is different and worth considering. Quick side note: I’m that guy who put a 5 gallon tank on my 450exc for Africa and immediately regretted doing it! I struggled getting the front wheel up, quick maneuvering wasn’t quick and high speed through desert terrain was puckering! So I only put 2 gallons in at a time.

[@TractioneRag]

I've ridden the 450exc with the 5G tank and it was a handful. Thank you for your kind words.

[@nickg2431]

i have a 525exc and havent needed the big tank thats sitting in a garage.the standard lasts at least 5 hours unless you are nailing it

[@algee8228]

I can tell this is a very balanced assessment of the bike. Looking forward to the details. Could very well be a bike in my future, but 100% dependent on it getting street legal status.

[@mattsloop2736]

There are already you tubers with these bikes as personal rides that they daily. They are street legal

[@djzadventures]

Firstly, love the dog and the plane!! Made the video. ;-) I've been following the birth of this bike for almost a couple years now and I continue to be fascinated by the conversations it's creating. With the evolution of ADV over the past decade this type of bike is further affecting the trajectory of what we are defining as ADV riding. I think this bike has some serious potential to distrupt people's expectations of what sort of adventures they can do on a motorcycle...without having to spend their kid's college fund doing so. Next video please!!

[@dallas_shannon]

I think you nailed it with the word "disrupt". If they can get their parts and service sorted, this bike will win significant market share. And... "I YAM YAM YAM YAM SO SO SO SO" 😂 Cheers brother.

[@djzadventures]

@@dallas_shannon I am definitely the king of my sofa while watching your videos!!! 😂

[@dallas_shannon]

😎@@djzadventures

[@jonelliott9627]

Ktm makes a 450 too....all I can say is remember Hyosung...reliability will be measured over 6 to 12000 miles. Not by journalists brief rides

[@TeamStruggleBunny]

I think beyond the characteristics of the ride from suspension to engine and chassis what people are interested in is reliability and the access to parts from routine maintenance to top end rebuilds. It can be a unicorn but if finding filters, brake pads, fork seals and pistons for the things that wear and need replacement then it won't be a viable option. TM has run smack into this wall in the US and boutique bikes, special they may be, are problematic when it comes to parts and repair. Knowing if Kove has considered and planned for this would be really helpful in attracting buyers.

[@TractioneRag]

That should all be revealed with a bit of time. This issue will be the TSN turning point for this motorcycle in North America.

[@Wyoutside]

Enjoyed this video as I’m interested in the bike. Good thing for me is I’m maybe 2-3 years out on purchasing so unless they fail miserably, they should only improve. That and I just bought a used 450exc to relearn on. Being 45yo and off bikes for 15 years, I don’t have a 30yo just out the Army body any longer. I’m not an “enduro rider” like I thought I might be. This looks like it’s more tailored for my (suspected) style. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@TractioneRag]

Great DS bike with a looooog range.

[@mototrailz]

Best review on the Kove 👍 Malle Moto category (Motul original) riders work on their bike. The rest (pros or junior pros or even privateer with a team) they all have mechanics. That is why the Motul/Malle moto category is the most prestigious categories to me and many others. Even pros admitted they could not race on that category as they don't know how to work on the bike.

[@TractioneRag]

Thank you!

[@fireice1997]

I have a CFmoto 450ss and every time I see a video on a Chinese bike it’s almost all the same. It exceeds expectations or comes close. Everyone is skeptical but the Chinese saw a market and they can fill the need. I’m blown away by my 450ss and it’s an awesome bike. I actually sold my zh2 because I was never reaching for the keys to ride it. It ticks a lot of boxes and the only issue people seem to have is reliability. However at least CFmoto offers a 3 year warranty on everything so that’s pretty respectable. Now they’re about to release the 450 adventure and they are also dropping a 675 triple. These Chinese bikes aren’t the bikes you get off Amazon. These are dealer sold and you can bring them to the dealers to get work done. I personally am interested in what they are making because of the price. When there’s competition between manufacturers the consumer always wins🤙🏼

[@altergreenhorn]

Some KTM engines are producing in CF Moto

[@stephenmitchum5864]

What does the 690/701 have to do with this bike.

[@peaceoutvanlife]

What about service options/dealer network? Any options?

[@ktmtravels3727]

Not a fan, but I can see the potential as a travel bike, where huge power is not required but reliability is. If the Dakar was the goal then it makes sense to have it end up remarkably similar to most of the field😉

[@arnauddechamps855]

The best review on the 450 Rally so far, give the idea that it is a very good bargain for people who want to ride fast and far on trails. thanks a lot, say hi to Gary

[@TractioneRag]

Glad you liked it!

[@z50king29]

Too harsh? I've never ridden a bike that is too stiff. Race bikes are stiff, deal with it, guys. KTM guys are always like this....

[@mikehope7940]

My only real question is how does it compare to a hopped up $5,000 DRZ400E? Because lets be honest 20year old Japan is tough to beat.

[@TractioneRag]

😂 They don't allow the DRZ's in the Dakar Rally 'cause it wouldn't be fair.

[@killacoiler1707]

When it comes to the engine in the 450 being a Zongshen that is a good thing because next to CF Moto they are one of the best Motorcycle engine manufacturers in China. Zongshen has their own race program with sponsored riders that compete in GP, Enduro, cross country, and trials type racing. Kove was smart by adopting both Zongshen and CF Moto engines for their bikes. I would be curious to see if Kove adopts any of CF Moto's smaller displacement parallel twins to power other Rally styled machines? I had the chance to ride a CF Moto 450 NK recently and quite honestly I was surprised at how lively that engine was for being only 50 HP and roughly 30 lb-ft of torque. It gets roughly 55 to 60 mpg in stock configuration which if you were to pair that with an 8 gallon fuel capacity that would offer nearly 450 miles of range. I would think that for a more street oriented with some trails ADV touring on a small displacement bike such a combination of engine performance and fuel capacity would be very advantageous. The 800cc engine that Kove is using from CF Moto is the 790 Duke engine with a different tune. CF Moto manufactures many of KTM's ADV bike engines including the 790 "800“ engine. So if Kove has the chops for building a durable chassis to house a CF Moto or Zongshen engine, I do not see reliability being an issue. As with any mechanical device how someone services it and cares for it over the long haul is going to determine its longevity in usability. That is not to say that mechanical failures can't or won't happen but that is true of anything with an engine regardless of its country of manufacture. I would love to have one of these for a year round commuter as long as I could affix a pannier set on it. I am not a fair weather rider but won't take my 65 year old Harley out in the snow. I love motorcycles and this would make a perfect all season for no apparent reason just go ride machine.

[@joaoalexdias]

Great review and wise words, most of the times and for the average rider power is not synonymous of performance, very few can take full advantage of even a 250 4 strokes! Cheers

[@rideswift]

So many people get obsessed with big power and don't put enough emphasis on suspension. I'd rather modest useable power and a good chassis with great suspension. I'm an aggressive rider and always set my suspension on the stiff side, most of my friends say its a bit too stiff, but I can hit just about anything and not worry about harsh G outs.

[@theOutbackBerean]

I'm 57 and the weight of most adventure bikes turns me off. If I can't pick it up on my own, in the bush its a long feckin walk home. 🤣 I swapped out my CFMoto 800MT for an older MuZ660 and have no regrets. I'd love to see one of these take on the Australian outback, I reckon we'd break it. 🍺

[@Liberty4Ever]

I love the low weight for off road handling and the huge fuel capacity, but the market for Dakar racers is minuscule. Kove needs to make an off road oriented adventure version. There is a large segment of the ADV market that has been begging for that bike for decades - light enough to do well off road and designed for off road use, but with enough power to cruise comfortably at 80 MPH on the highway when needed. All of the big motorcycle manufacturers refused to make a powerful lightweight bike because they didn't think we'd spend 850 cc ADV bike money on a 450 cc single cylinder adventure bike. They didn't want to sell us the unicorn bike we wanted because they were trying to protect the sales of their expensive mid and full size ADV bikes. When they finally, reluctantly, started selling lightweight ADV bikes, they slotted them into their ADV lineup at the bottom, as de-featured beginner bikes to get us on the upgrade path to their more expensive ADV bikes. Kove should soften the suspension a little for the non-racing majority, maybe remap the engine for off road ADV use, and put a large rear rack on it. I wish Kove and CF Moto every success. Hopefully that'll finally convince BMW, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki (probably not) and KTM to sell us a similar lightweight off road ADV bike that has the power for highway riding.

[@SupermotoCentral]

Kove just announced a new Dakar bike with 15hp more so the argument doesn’t really work 😅

[@svenomick5857]

Good on Mr Wang He has had a dream 5 year plan this is a Country that built the Great Wall, would not surprise Me at all cheers Mick Australia I have a China Bike Braaap very good Reliable

[@bens5186]

I will not personally buy one simply because I hate Chinese made products however… I hope everyone else buys one so a company I would buy from makes a reasonably priced 450 rally bike.

[@bayselec]

Good chat about the bike, it may take a couple of years for them to iron the bugs out of it. 👍👍

[@crosstrainingadventure]

Excellent balanced discussion, so much better than the over-the-top 'reviews' from influencers!

[@Dagnatic]

Do you think we’ll ever see the light of these in Australia?

[@jasondunn8894]

There seems to be a Kove owners FBk page so they must be available but I can’t find any info about where to buy them🤨

[@holden3083]

👍This is what the drz should be now! Hopefully Suzuki will actually change it now? It’s funny how a Chinese company out of nowhere is producing a rally bike like this, but no other company is…. Without spending at least another $5 - 10k. Be quite interesting to see what the reliability is going to be like over the next 12 months. Plus if it’s going to be a one off bike or is it going to stay in production.

[@kai-uweoch1159]

One mistake in the video regarding bike maintanace in the Dakar.. Yes, there is the one class were riders need to take care of all repair and maintanace every day after the race stages. The name of that class has canged over time, wasn`t it " Original by Motul" or something like that recently? Malle Moto before that. Also they normally have only one large box with spare parts and tools available. Lyndon Poskit competed in that class and it must have been hell, even for a very experienced rider and mechanic like him, because there is very little time left every day to sleep and recover. Watch his videos! Kove did NOT compete in that class to my knowledge. Instead they had a team of mechanics who took care of the bikes every day, with basically unlimited access to spare parts and repair time. So from that point of view the Dakar is NOT a reliablity test for all bikes, because the majority of bikes just need to make it through the next stage and a mechanic will already be waiting to fix any issues.

[@Weltbummler23]

Was so interested in the kove but in the end came to the conclusion its a rally bike, whereas im looking for a dual sport. Unfortunately the kove just doesnt meet my dual sport needs, for example 1) weight: theres no reason that a modern 450 dual sport should be 320lbs dry (and kove keeps publishing this wrong as curb weight), my dr650 with a lithium battery and gsxr exhaust probably is lighter. 2) maintenance intervals keep changing, originally claimed 5k mile oil change, currently 1k mile oil change/valve checks (see current manual), and next year they are gonna move it to 3k mile oil change. When theres already some uncertainty about the chinese reliability, makes u wonder about whats really going on. 3) tuning - makes 50hp and gets 45 mpg. In contrast the new 390 from ktm is 45 hp and will likely get 60mpg, will require less fuel and be lighter and lower fuel cost for adv rides. The kove is tuned for racing and the ktm (will be tuned) for adv riding. Cant wait for that new 390 to get in a more offroad oriented bike. 4) no mounts for normal style pannier racks. Not clear if that type of rack can even fit. For these reasons ill pass and stick with dr650 for now.

[@tieoneon1614]

For what most people are doing with this bike, they are better off modding a DR or XR650 for what they ride...but they are fancy and think they need the latest/greatest and got fooled by the hype of this bike.

[@nathanbanks7091]

I was searchimg for the unicorn ADV bike. I ended up with an AJP PR7. It was difficult to get one in the US. It beats the Kove in every category except fuel range. The only upgrade it needed from the factory was a pair of bar risers and a rear rack. However, I see so much potential with the Kove 450 Rally. It can be mass produced at a reasonable price. That is something that is not possible with my PR7. The Kove will fill a void in motorcycling that no other manufacturer has been willing or able to fill.

[@MontanaDirtRoads]

Coming from a klr perspective here , the complaints on the kove are still way better then what a klr offers, kive has more power,better suspension, reliability probably similar ,can exceed 100 mph with trying to kill itself and is under 430lbs.still love my klr tho

[@sarahdell4042]

I’d you come from a dirt bike background, and aren’t a slow rider you’ll appreciate the suspension on the Kove. I’ll take a less aggressive motor for longer service intervals

[@TractioneRag]

Nailed it.

[@0hmventures]

Excellent unbiased opinion and breakdown on this bike. The best I’ve seen yet. Thank you. You’ve convinced me, I’m thinking I’ll pick up the next model year. Let them work out the few minor imperfections. Would love to see a video addressing the suspension and ideas you have for different riding styles. Cheers!

[@RodNeufeld]

I definitely find the Kove platform interesting. It is a motorcycle that first and foremost puts the prospect of actually completing a Dakar race in the self supported class within the grasp of many more riders. You can actually buy this bike and not blow 45k USD for it. That leaves a lot of money on the table for parts and entry fees, travel etc. The other is that it is a significant shift in the approach of the Chinese motorcycle market, this in my opinion not only put them on the map as producing a competitive bike in the Dakar (Any manufacturer that starts with 3 entries and finishes all 3 in Dakar is a competitor ) It also transforms them to a very real competitor in comparison to the Euro and Japanese market bikes. The big hurdle for this is now just distribution and parts for the wider markets. I would seriously consider this with my next bike purchase coming from someone that rides a 690 everywhere on or off road including some pretty challenging single track. Great video and I look forward to seeing more on the bike as you develop your thought.

[@ADV_Agenda]

Great breakdown, I can't wait till they are available in California ✌️

[@TheMarketSniper1]

My name is Jacob Zuma I have a BMW Thirteen Thousand and 2 million, listen carefully now eight hundred and BMW

[@appv12]

KTM are definitely not known for reliability.

[@Der_Meikel]

Defenitely one of the best reviews I've seen... Keep on going the good work 👍🏻

[@samking4179]

9:15 ... haha! the funniest things are those that come out of left field. that was great! I was all absorbed in your review of the bike and then the dog gets into the act. funny!

[@miro_s]

I understand you may like this bike and want to promote it, but why bashing the ktm/husky? It just makes you sound ridiculous. Ever tried another 450 rally Dakar bike? The argument that is ok to give up power for reliability is preposterous and doesn’t fit racing at all . But -perhaps unwilling- you hit the nail on the head: three bikes finished the Dakar hours behind doesn’t mean they are competitive, just that they didn’t break. After all, the best of them was around 45th, and definitely those three were not the bikes you buy out of the production line… already the kove for next Dakar is announced to have 14 more bhp and 20kg less, it’ll be interesting to see if they’ll keep their reliability. We’ll also see if any privateer will use one in the Malle moto, which would clearly be the definitive reliability test. mind you, I’m not a fanatic anti-chinese, I’m looking at the kove with interest and hope, and may end up buying one, just needed to react to the huge not-yet-justified hype of the kove media campaign, and especially your trivialising ktm+husqvarna that together have so far won over 300 titles!!

[@ashleymarkrhodes1571]

Very good review, and a decent bike. However, can we get past the fact that it comes from the DRC (with the emphasis on the 'D')? Are we not interested in the concept of saving American, UK and Western European jobs? Do we really want to directly, or indirectly, want to support a regime that seeks to subjugate us?

[@TractioneRag]

This is such a great comment. This needs to be considered and is a complicated discussion.

[@gbner9991]

Everything else is coming from China already and nobody complains. Evidently they are now even bringing inovation to the market, unlike many other manufacturers releasing the same 5 bikes over and over again.

[@FreedomBaba]

It makes no sense to build an engine with no sight glass or dip stick. Checking the oil is guesswork. I've never heard of that before.

[@orange1666]

Yes it’s less than ideal , however there is apparently another model 450 Zhonsheng motor that does have a clutch cover with a window that will fit

[@miro_s]

Agree, it isn’t good. Some Sherco from the past have the same issue, but admittedly quite old bikes…

[@JBean_COCR]

Zhang Xue (in China family name is first, given name last). Zhang is pronounced J-ah-ng (the Zh is pronounced like J but with tongue curled up behind your front teeth, a like ah, and the ng just like in English, like the ng in ending) but one syllable. Xue is a little harder, but without going into oral gymnastics it is pronounced like Shoe-eh but one syllable. I'm an American who lived and worked in China 5 years and speaks Mandarin.

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

I like that fact that they started their own brand name & not go down the ridiculous rebadge of a defunct historic marque. To have 3 riders finish their first Dakar is an achievement in itself. They laughed at Honda when they arrived at the Isle of Man TT in the 60's, we know how that story ended. I'm guessing KTM aren't laughing, they'll be watching Kove like a hawk.

[@Aimaiai]

I can give you some tips for his name. The Zh in zhang is pronounced like a J, the ang part is pronounced with the same A in the word "All". His last name is pronounced like "shoe-eh", since romanized chinese uses X as a "SH" sound.

[@CheradenineZakalwe]

The lack of power is compared to EXC range as well. Not just 690. Or could be the regular version just being gutless. Yes, it will suck in woods compared to enduro bike and will lack power at adv trails compared to 690 etc. I't is what it is, softened up version of rally bike. It doesnt really fit to any real world riding well, since we dont really ride in desert, needing 500km range.

[@tigerrider6711]

I think you’re being too kind to give this bike excuses because it was designed for the dakar. Nobody is asking for a Dakar bike, that’s just marketing. Tens of thousands of customers want a long distance dual sport and light ADV bike. Maybe 100 people worldwide want a Dakar/rally bike. The elephant in the room is the ktm 500 is proven, you get the performance and the reliability. Many have 20-30k on the original top end myself included. Literally all that is missing from that bike is an affordable gas tank option that puts the CG low, and a rally fairing kit that doesn’t cost $5000 for 2 pieces of aluminum and one plastic fairing piece. Hopefully this kove is a wake up call for KTM.

[@dualsportoutdoors]

I'm a bit skeptical on the reliability. I saw two at my local OHV park. Both were broken within an hour of coming off their owners' trailer. One's engine blew up. One's frame got badly broken. They weren't ridden hard either. The riders were new riders and rode the bikes very slowly on easy trails. I also saw a couple reviews here on KZbin where there were clutch problems and issues with the suspension adjusters breaking after a few uses. It's a shame because I was looking at this thing as a TAT bike but I'm going to sit back and watch it closely for a while longer before I grab one. I carry a survival kit on my bike but that doesn't mean I want to use it because my engine popped while I'm 150 miles out in the middle of nowhere

[@bobbybecker8834]

This is a well put together video. It seems the people who complain about the power arent even tapping into it. I have yet see a video of someone riding this bike close tl wide open throttle and then say its gutless. It would take a hell of a rider to do so. As you said its the power characteristics that are different and take getting used to

[@TractioneRag]

In the real world I have witnessed only a handful of people who can use the full capability.

[@billcotton1551]

I'm curious, does it have a lot more power than a Honda CRF300L ? Very well done review BTW.

[@TractioneRag]

Thank you and yes, much more power than the 300 but not as much power as a 450L.

[@armandblake]

I don’t care where they are from. The founder is clearly a passionate individual and his team ended the Dakar. I can have nothing but respect for who has that kind of love for motorcycles

[@russpaton8877]

They did Dakar as a team so they can pit and get help from there team, Malle Moto is when the rider does it all himself but even then there is "Some' opportunities for help

[@robertmansell3667]

Interesting bike for sure,one of the things that puts me off here in the UK is dealer network and after sales or should I say lack of them,even Aprillia Husqvarna etc are poor compared to Japanese but at the moment I’d say the Kove is in a class of its own.

[@jamesandthedualsport7622]

In the team class you have mechanics working on you stuff when you get back to the bevi, it’s the mollie moto class that has no team and has to work on the bike on there own so he also can get help from other riders in that class but your pretty much on you own

[@anchinkan]

Fair and good review, cheers! For a first bike it has already quite a high degree of accomplishment. Mr. Xue certainly has made his homework, knows his stuff and is, at least for me, an authentic guy. Apparently, he loves what he’s doing and he certainly will be improving his bikes step by step. And, besides, it’s good to see that in spite of politics, there’s something good from China for us normal people.

[@paulipuhakka8788]

Got that right!👍 It's the politics that's the problem, not the people 👍 Cheers beers and to fast gears, from British Columbia 🇨🇦👍 Cheers to the, big bore bike world 👍 Be safe out there everyone!!

[@TractioneRag]

Excellent comment. Thank you for being thoughtful.

[@joshdoddadbod]

I would love one of these bikes. This is what i imagine being my unicorn dual sport. Still hoping japan comes out with something similar, but if china is the one to innovate and do what the market wants then im happy to support this company.

[@stevezatrine7305]

I was really interested in this bike but the fuel capacity is totally excessive for the mainstream market. There's hardly any place in the US that you would ride that would require that much range. They could have made 5 to 6 gal capacity with smaller narrower tanks which would have produced less fuel slosh, bulk and weight. The power should mimic power output of a KTM 450 exc. All things equal it should still exceed the engine life of a KTM 450 because of the increased oil capacity alone. He barely touched on the fact that fuel was leaking all over the bottom of the bike which is a major fire hazard and the fact that when is falls over and won't restart. Those are major issues.

[@TractioneRag]

The fuel issue is going to be discussed in the next vid. Me thinks it was our fault. Not sure a stock 450exc engine would complete a Dakar Rally but who knows.

[@tonysurber9111]

I have owned and definitely used a ktm 690 off road, and on road... entirely tricked out too. Really loved it with the Recluse clutch. But with that said, this Chinese bike is actually at both the ideal size, power, and price point which I felt that KTM should have been at, especially with the crap stock suspension it had! If the Chinese can at least get this bike to be pretty close to the Ktm performance, I feel that alone would deserve some sales and respect! But that is my unbiased opinion. I don't care about silly things like where you are from, or your politics. You can shove that crap up your ass. I care about what really matters, like quality/ value, and good character of people. Maybe a few of you out there have the good sense to get it. Shalom. ( peace )

[@mrjay4000]

KOVE is building a new 2024 Dakar bike, 450 Ralley EX, which has 11 more ponies(65) 5 more ft lbs torque & is 38lbs lighter. Why? Because they finished Dakar but now really want to win. This hp is where it should be. Apparently, they can be ordered with only a production run of 50 at 2.5 times the price of the current base model.

[@radleytube]

From this video, I think it's great what this Chinese man has done. That was him riding the old bike? And he's went on too build this, the bike looks the business. He will probably produce even better bikes after this one. And a great result in the Dakar. Well done China

[@marcwilliams4014]

maybe kove should tell all the other factory teams to lower the power of their bikes for the sake of reliability! you know seeing as all the other bikes blow up half way through. is it a ds bike or a rally bike because one minute you say it has harsh suspension because its a rally bike, then you say its a ds bike. if its a ds bike then it should have supple suspension!???????? seems to me your a little biased to kove. please, they are a cheap Chinese bike which i have no problem with but don't try making out they're something special. they lack power they're heavy in comparison to other Enduro bikes and sourcing parts will be a bitch, never mind warranty. it reminds me of when CCM released the GP450 🤣 everyone was raving about it saying this is the unicorn, what a flop that was. poor, no Shocking after sales backup and warranty.

[@markcahoon2534]

If you're old enough, you will remember when all things Japanese, especially cars were called the exact same thing Chinese stuff is called. To be fair, the reputation the Chinese stuff got, is well founded, maybe the Japanese things were too, I wasn't old enough to find out. I think the problem was-is they tried to make stuff as cheaply as possible, with virtually no quality control. Look at Japanese machines now, and it looks like China is following in their footsteps.

[@jairo.cabello]

6:40 Just a correction! Only the riders under the "Malle Moto / Original By Motul" category work on their own bike. This category is only for recreational purposes and no brands put money in to it. . The Top riders have at least 3 or 4 mechanics per bike and can rebuild whatever is necessary (except engine, that's against the rules). As soon as the finish the stage, they just get to rest and relax until the next day. Kove does bring their own mechanics, so the riders don't have to work on them. Also.. Do you know what's the main reason almost every amateur rider going to Dakar chooses KTM? Is simple! because KTM has a massive truck that will sell you about every part you might need to overhaul your ktm. And when you're in the middle of the desert and you need a stupid bearing.. That truck is a blessing and the difference between having to abandon the rally or continuing. That is the biggest asset KTM currently has on Dakar.

[@TractioneRag]

🙏🏻 Thank you for this!

[@BrianDoherty-e8s]

Excellent insightful review of this bike. The reliability vs power makes sense. The only thing that did not seems true was the backstory about the poor motorcycle mechanic in China who dreamed of racing Dakar and then designed this bike. This seemed like BS from a PR company. More likely it was a state sponsored corporation that trotted out the poor, genius mechanic as its human mascot for their product.

[@ershn8d]

I do not see the future here. Its a bike designed for a very limited market, so not going to be profitable. Quality does not even matter.

[@mxbadboy263]

No way to register it for a plate in Indiana. These bikes come with an "off road" title. Indiana no longer allows conversions which sucks because I've converted a few dirt bikes to dual sports. Check your state laws.

[@jasonseigfried8941]

I test rode the rally version and it was real punchy getting on the throttle but was a ton of fun. Very interested in trying the 50 states road legal one. I was told gearing should be a hair higher, inner tubes rather than inserts, and a tamed throttle response. Just need one to get to my local dealer.

[@riendetout8812]

Excellent review! This confirmed I'm not the target buyer because I'm very much a relaxed, slow off-roader & adventure tourer. It also makes me laugh when people say they won't buy this unreliable Chinese motorcycle and they buy KTM instead, because KTM has their own problems with reliability or QA.

[@TractioneRag]

Well said!

[@mikeburns583]

The best moto review I've come across.

[@TractioneRag]

Humbled. Tks Mike.

[@DoRC]

You know the race is good when finishing is an impressive feat!

[@stefanmargraf7878]

Disappointed. No sozius, no luggage, max weight 230kg. When i am on it, we have 250kg naked. With no luggage.

[@latraywonderboycrx8609]

Anyone wondering why he keeps saying 13,000 and not 1,300 That’s how much an average bmw rider spends on gear he uses once a year

[@GCTO239]

Wow, a 13.000 GS would be something.

[@matthewjames4268]

My tenere 700 is gutless but i still love it.

[@mbal4052]

I love mine too 😎

[@gnarlybadger690]

Great honest review, there's been a lot of talk about this bike over the western world. It looks like a complete bargain here in the UK and I've seen some of the other models in the Kove range being shown at the EICMA show and they all look pretty exciting prospects. I think it's going to be interesting to see how this company develops

[@TractioneRag]

Sure is. An exciting offering.

[@jacobac42]

I have never ridden a Kove, but have watched quite a few things on it. My closest comparison to the style of riding that you talk about (from a design perspective) is the Honda XR650R, a bike designed to ride at race pace in the desert for hours and hours and hours while being unwaveringly reliable, like the Kove. In my mind the setup of that bike is perfection for this role, sans the rally fairing and fuel. It seems like the Kove isn't fitting what I hoped it would. Saying it's harsh on the suspension but lackluster in power seems like a mismatch. We know how to make power these days reliably. It makes me concerned that maybe the bike just wasn't setup with the engine and chassis melded together as well as they should be. I wonder if it's like the '98 CR250 now where it should be like a '04 CR250 with the harshness. The reliability issues also would concern me, and this isn't the first place I've heard of issues. If one of those problems came up it could be a manufacturer defect, but multiple potentially major issues is a bit concerning. In the video too it shows single-use clamps that aren't serviceable with trail tools, which would scare me. This all may not be even relevant, but just what I noticed. What I will say, I have never heard issues with simple systems like this on new (at the time) XR650Rs. I don't know, maybe I'm judging it too hard but it seems like a 85% finished bike. What do I know though, I'm just someone on the internet.

[@jewelrymaker1607]

I ride an XRR that's been dead reliable for 22 years and im not easy on bikes. When cove can show that type of long term reliability then we can talk!!!

[@TraveladvRajanSRai]

a built klr 1st gen or a reiju 500 adv legend , a clone of the henjain daiadao.. klr is cheaper used n build it

[@milhousevh4445]

5 minutes of: this 40ps bike is slow... Orly? 40ps are slow... How come? 😑

[@Steinerrides]

As a rider that came from 20 years of dirt before getting on the street, this bike seems a dream. I've had a few dual sports and my issue with them has always been that I usually end up trailering them to where I ride. My local spot is just far enough from a gas station that riding there isnt practical on a normal 2-3 gallon tank and larger adv bikes are too big and heavy for my aggressive riding. This bike really seems to be what I want. Something I can go exploring on and be aggressive while doing it.

[@dallas_shannon]

This bike was built for you. It is a dirtbikers dual sport bike.

[@markmcarthy596]

I have a 168cc from China, used on the mean city streets of St Louis. It’s actually a Honda that’s made it through American rules. It’s a Baaad Mofo. Solid-nothing can beat it in its category. Made in June 2023 and already over 5000mi. of Me trying to push its limits, not even a rattle

[@nicholasdunn3499]

It's more fun to ride a slower bike balls to the wall than it is to ride a powerful bike where you can't fully utilize that power.

[@functionalfitness1013]

Great review!!

[@kagg8888]

Excellent video. Good mix of riding shots and Dallas’s face 😂

[@Hifi1927]

You haven’t mentioned the price ? Also off course it’s not going to be quick like a bigger 690 etc

[@MrBluesmeister]

Nice try sport. Please explain what class the Kove was meant to race in. Obviously an entry level class not the premier class. All three finished is a great start for the Company.