KOVE 450 Rally: King of DualSports?

Correction: 145 is apparently dry weight. At least without fuels even though there are mixed reports about this even on Kove's own website.
Quick Ride Episode 8
Complete series: • Quick Rides
Hey everyone! Today, I’m super excited to share with you my test ride of the brand new KOVE 450 Rally. This beast has been making waves in the recent Dakar rallies, and I couldn’t wait to see what all the hype was about. Spoiler alert: it did NOT disappoint! Join me as I take this rally monster through its paces.
And yes, you read that right - there was a bit of a mishap during the ride. I ended up crashing the bike! It was a wild moment, but it gave me a chance to really test its durability and recovery. Don’t worry, I’m okay and so is the bike.. mostly.
So, if you’re as curious about the KOVE 450 Rally as I was, or if you just love a good motorcycle adventure, hit that play button! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more test rides and reviews.
Thanks for watching, and see you in the next ride!
⭐️ Interested in buying a KOVE 450 in northern Europe?
⭐️ Contact Lite Bike Finland:
⭐️ Website: litebike.fi
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🏍️ What is the Quick Ride series meant to be?
Quick Ride collection is not meant to be this rigid "review" style video that most youtubers are making. There is definitely a place for actual reviews but as I don't have access like that to these bikes I thought I would do things a bit differently than just list you a bunch of specs and hilights of these machines.
I make these videos just to bring you along on a test ride of these bikes. Some episodes might be longer if I get access to a bike for more time but mostly these are short test ride style videos where I try to tell you the audience everything I'm feeling from the bike at that moment and maybe do a closing thought at the end if needed.
Welcome aboard!
I gather all the test results in an excel sheet found here:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Drag Strip playlist: • Drag Strip
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Initial impressions
2:49 - ABS function
3:22 - Hitting the Trails
7:50 - The Crash!
9:11 - Post-Crash Review
14:05 - Trails Continue
20:18 - Fuelling
22:23 - Race Box Test
22:54 - Highway Test
24:52 - Comfort & Comparisons
SPECIFICATIONS:
ENGINE
● Engine Type: Single Cylinder, DOHC
● Cooling: Liquid-Cooled with External Oil Cooler
● Displacement: 449cc
● Bore x Stroke: 94.5mm x 64mm
● Fuel System: Bosch EFI
● Transmission: 6-Speed
● Clutch: Oil Bath, Multi-Disc, Cable-Actuated
● Starter: Electric
● Max Power: 51 horsepower @ 9500rpm
● Max Torque: 29.5 ft-lbs @ 7000rpm
● Max Speed: 105.6mph
CHASSIS
● Frame Type: Steel Perimeter
● Front Suspension: YU-AN 49mm Upside Fork, Adjustable Compression & Rebound, 12” Travel
● Rear Suspension: YU-AN Piggy-Back Shock, Adjustable Rebound, High-Speed & Low-Speed Compression, 12” Travel
● Front Wheel: 90/90-21”
● Rear Wheel: 140/80-18”
● Front Brake: 280mm Disc, 2-Piston Caliper, selectable ABS
● Rear Brake: 240mm Disc, Single-Piston Caliper, Selectable ABS
● Steering Angle: 38.5 Degrees
● Rake Angle: 28 Degrees
● Fuel Capacity: 8 Gallons
● Estimated Range: 300+ Miles
DIMENSIONS
● Length x Width x Height: 2190×805×1390mm
● Wheelbase: 1490mm
● Seat Height: 960mm
● Ground Clearance: 310mm
● Weight: 145kg (APPARENTLY THIS IS DRY WEIGHT even though many pages claim wet)
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[@PatchedBandit]

You can support my work for only €0.99/month Become a channel member here: kzbin.info/door/6hGP2VIz2D_m4ZTpKGmLPAjoin ⭐ Early access to new videos ⭐ Loyalty badges ⭐ Custom Emojis in comments ⭐ Member perks on Discord

[@enduromotorradtouren]

Maybe the first legendary bike from China. I'd need faster tracks for its "supersport" or rally origin than I have in Bavaria. So I choose a "boring" Honda CRF 300 L instead. People from the UK and the US advised me to go for the Kove, I'd love it. Thanks for crash testing the bike. The Americans and British claimed it to be pretty tough. And it is! Rally heritage. All the best, Günter/Nürnberg

[@clemenswyss8]

feels like a really "honest" review/ride 👍 Beautiful finnish scenery and sky. Would love to see more Kove 450 content from you so hopefully you get one for you 😉

[@PatchedBandit]

The thing I learned very early on making videos is that I'm never gonna make the most cinematic, well narrated or fun videos on this platform but one thing I can be is honest to my audience. If I say something that is not true it's because I've made a mistake. I will always try to be brutally honest but fair cause that's one thing I can control ☺

[@MLeitao]

It looks you were more distracted then the speeding, sometimes it happens, good you're ok. Now you have to buy it... :D

[@renzoblecich8590]

Front wheel is bouncy 🤔 because of the inner tube skid block. The wheel needs balancing . Problem resolved 😊

[@PatchedBandit]

It had a rimlock put in and never been balanced. I did put a text on the video to state that though.

[@petersajo7195]

this was very interesting. i am start thinking about it...thanks for it. stay safe

[@stephanematis]

Glad it was a small crash and nothing serious. Thank you for sharing it all, this is great input.

[@PatchedBandit]

🙏

[@obserwatorwsiimiast]

Very nice review. Take care. Thanks.

[@MK-mu6if]

That was real test! good nothing has happened to you and serious to motorcycle :)

[@davidkallstrom4349]

Bra video

[@VeryImportantPepe]

lucky! T7 unharmed

[@nick1bb1]

Great video, thanks for your honesty and thoughtful review. I have a Kove450 and I bought it for the exact reason you said - it fits between a Adv bike and an enduro. Its great to able to ride on road to the trails and have a good time on both rather than trailering an enduro bike to the trails. keep up the good work!

[@PatchedBandit]

Right on! Would be interesting to follow your journey with the Kove. Do you post anywhere? IG or something?

[@nick1bb1]

@@PatchedBandit no I don't post anything at the moment but may start doing something just as a reference for other owners, but mainly I bought it to ride it 😁

[@bobbyhill7141]

Glad ur ok

[@MikaelALjungblad]

Yes, that was exciting! I almost stuffed a whole can of popcorn down my throat 😄👍 Good test. Maybe it will be the next TET machine in a few years.

[@PatchedBandit]

Considering it too! Could replace my CRF at some point.

[@MikaelALjungblad]

@@PatchedBandit I just bought a CRF, and it’s modified with bigger tank, same rally tower as your, Yss susp. Seat concept saddle. So i think i live with this for some years. I’m starting TET up north tomorrow. Perhaps over to Finland in a few weeks to. It’s holidayy 😊👍

[@PatchedBandit]

@MikaelALjungblad If you wander close to Vaasa I would happily have a beer/coffee 👍 I just installed the acerbis tank too.. (next video)

[@MikaelALjungblad]

@@PatchedBandit I am going to Skellefteå så the ferry to Vaasa is actually my preferred option. I try contact you if i get there. A lot could happen before that 😄👍

[@PatchedBandit]

@@MikaelALjungblad You can join my whatsapp or discord group for easier messaging 😊

[@mikkomattila5356]

Olipas se tärsky mutta mies ehjänä on pääasia 👍🏽, hyvä video🙌🏻

[@PatchedBandit]

Onneksi näissä on yleensä kohtuulliset nopeudet. Tää oli kyllä tavallista pahempi tälli.

[@MichaelShaw206]

I bought a Kove 450 last year. I haven't had the chance to ride it much as I bought a Triumph Scrambler 1200 xe and have been enjoying it. I had an Aprilia Tuareg but replaced it with the Kove because of the weight. The Kove is very nimble in comparison. I do miss the Tuareg but think the Kove was better for me use case. I was thinking of replacing the Kove with a CRF 300L but this video has me thinking I should stay with the Kove. Thanks for sharing this video and your insight.

[@PatchedBandit]

Thanks for sharing! I would advice you to stay with the Kove if there is no massive reason you would be going to the CRF. If you don't need the power and are willing to do quite some modification to the Honda you will get a nice bike of that too. Suspension on the stock CRF is not even on the same planet with the Kove 😅

[@jimmybags4209]

First glad your ok. Second your not riding if your not crashing! Lol been a lifetime saying but shit man I'm getting to old so my riding gets less aggressive to stay alive longer.

[@ruedigerfriebel8454]

sorry to correct, but 145 kg is dry, wet it is 160kg for 350km range, or if you will all 30 liters even more.

[@PatchedBandit]

I was suspicious about the weight too. Im gonna add a correction card and update the description during the weekend. Bike could have fooled me it felt really light.

[@ruedigerfriebel8454]

@@PatchedBandit it is a great bike, I Love it. Also have a CRF 300, but will sell it for the Kove. And I am using it on the TET

[@CR-fo6ou]

As i got it the tank w s almost empty when you picked it up after the crash. Glad your allright, even tougher than the Kove (;

[@PatchedBandit]

I tried picking it up after refueling too. Felt very light.

[@CR-fo6ou]

That sounds great!

[@Gen-X.Adventures]

I'm happy to see you're ok! Be careful! Ever ride wasn't so lucky when he crashed his Kove 450. Would you consider the Kove to have a premium suspension like, for example, a 690 or 701?

[@PatchedBandit]

From this ride I can't say too much but initial impressions are good! I would love to see the setup opened at TTM Factory to see what kind of stuff is housed in those pipes. Travel is crazy nice at 300mm rear and front

[@litebikestore]

Kovaa ajoa vaan!

[@PatchedBandit]

🫡😄 Thanks for providing the bike for a fool like me 😅

[@enduromotorradtouren]

Imagine what a Honda or Yamaha tank patch would do to the Kove's popularity ;-)

[@PatchedBandit]

Exactly. This is the unicorn other brands are not willing to make 😄

[@scannorse]

Then it would be worse build, heavier and costly…

[@enduromotorradtouren]

@@scannorse Yeah. But the Japanese have a dealer network

[@scannorse]

@@enduromotorradtouren …because they need it

[@enduromotorradtouren]

@@scannorse Most people need that dealer network, that's the biggest hurdle for Chinese manufacturers. If they want to succeed in Europe they'll need many dealers.

[@Jay-hv4lb]

I dont know if i missed it in video but how does gearbox ratios compare between kove and crf300l? crf has wide ratio and kove has really narrow spread (almost identical to drz400). Just looking at specs i would want shorter 1-2 or 1-3 gears for slower stuff and higher 6th gear for highway cruising

[@PatchedBandit]

I cound't even tell you what the ratios are on my own bikes so I didn't really focus much on this aspect of the bike. I did mention a few RPM levels and gear here and there on the video but nothing more specific in terms on comparison.

[@rikupurhonen3401]

Which Year model in husky or ktm are you referring to? According to vibration?

[@PatchedBandit]

I have ridden both the 2023 KTM 690 and Husqvarna 701. And a few times the 2009 KTM 690. Differences between tehese have not been very big when it comes to vibrations at least in my opinion. Kove is much less viby than all of these.

[@Jarvis60]

I have been meaning to ask if you have had a chance to test out a Suzuki DRZ400 yet but then I realized I don’t think you can buy those in Europe or am I wrong? Swapped bikes with a friend for a week and I was quite impressed with his DRZ.

[@PatchedBandit]

I think they stopped selling it here 2009 😅 Sad really. Apparently the climate is now saved here.

[@Jarvis60]

@@PatchedBandit well I guess I can look forward to moving to Finland in a few years when I retire then!

[@advseeker]

Nice video.. now, I'm thinking, should I buy this to kid as an A2 bike.... it could also offer something to me too. Hope your nuts are fine already

[@PatchedBandit]

You should! I was very impressed with the Kove. Seat swap and this thing is very comfortable taking looong trips anywhere.

[@asdfghjkl1755]

52KM at 150kg it will be a rocket for A2

[@zutiske86]

Great review, but in my opinion this bike can not be compared to CRF300 or even to ktm 690enduro, because this bike has oil change interval of 1000km. So this bike is more of a “race rally bike” than a bike that you can kill kms on an adventure The better match for comparison with CRF300 from Chinese manufacturers is CF Moto 450MT (oil service interval 5000km) Would be nice to see review from you if you could get a hand on that bike

[@PatchedBandit]

Kove is 2000km interval. Normal riding probably easily extended to twice that which is pretty much the same with my CRF300L intervals.

[@mikethompson7046]

Have a like and comment for your grewt content

[@J8zzy]

Pääasia et on ukko kunnossa. Onneksi ei ollut kiinteämpi pölli mikä tuli kulkusille😅 Tämähän on täydellinen testivideo. Toi pyörä on nyt virallisesti koeajettu. Rymyämiset kuuluu lajin luonteeseen🏁🇫🇮✌️

[@aldearadu5219]

would you sell the crf tomorow for one ??!!

[@PatchedBandit]

Well. Not really because of a few reasons. BUT let's take the brands, dealer networks, parts availability etc. off the table for a second. For me it is pretty hard to say that the CRF300 is a better bike in any aspect of the bike it self. If they both wore Honda badge would we even be having the conversaiton 😊 Just a thought. But personally as I already own the honda and have put a lot of work and money towards making it my own I don't see a hasty reason to start selling it. Also I am probably not the direct target buyer for this kinda bike as my personal limitations as a rider are reached pretty well with my modded CRF300. So I would not realistically be gaining all that much with the Kove even though the bike can certainly do a lot more than me or my Honda. Always hard to do these test rides and direct comparisons as there are a lot of things to consider when we go to personal choises etc. If I didnt own the honda and had to pick from a fresh plate I would have a harder time making that choise. For most riders Kove is a better bike. Is it a better ownership experience is yet to be seen.

[@motonorge1172]

Thats funny , same happen to me in sweeden, , but more deep gravel road

[@PatchedBandit]

It’s the nordic curse 😂

[@motonorge1172]

My bike ended up in a bit deeper ditch , used one hour to Get it up, but no dameg.

[@motonorge1172]

@@PatchedBandit kzbin.info/www/bejne/baSaq5asftB7mLcsi=Z7lzH_4QuzZR35xE

[@PatchedBandit]

Definitely a lot of work on a big GS 😮‍💨 maybe you need a Kove 😅

[@motonorge1172]

@@PatchedBandit no , will try to not Get in the dish😂

[@renzoblecich8590]

did you ride a high or low version?

[@PatchedBandit]

This was the high version.

[@renzoblecich8590]

@@PatchedBandit - I was expecting that the Kove was a low version considering that you didn't mention that the bike is too tall 4 you. Compared with the Yamaha Tenere 700 ( my bike at the moment and she is not too tall for me) the kove is taller or just lighter and easier to maneuver.?

[@PatchedBandit]

I've owned the T7 myself and the Kove even at this high version is much easier to maneuver. Coming to a stop is not as intimidating and the weight is carried very low as the front tanks touch the skidplate. I was very surprised that I could ride the bike as easily as I did. The tallnes on paper is not something most people need to worry about if they have a bit of experience. This being said taking all the potential out of this bike requires a much better rider than myself. This bike is a serious piece of kit cabable of a lot more but also easy enough to ride as a dualsport machine for most people.

[@renzoblecich8590]

@@PatchedBandit - many thanks. I'm 186-long legs. Will go 4 a high version 😀

[@PatchedBandit]

Definitely. High is the one for you no doubt. I’m 174.

[@fcalin21]

The crash - what the hell happened?

[@PatchedBandit]

I guess even I can't be perfect all the time 🤷‍♂️

[@E-c-UU]

Aika paha😅 tuliko noottia? Oliko liikkeen vai yksityisen pärrä?

[@PatchedBandit]

Liikkeen pärrrä. Lite Bike oli hyvin ymmärtäväinen. Tosi mukavan olonen tyyppi ja toivottavasti tehdään lisääki videoita josain välissä. Vakavasti meni kyllä harkintaan tuo Kove omaanki ostoslistaan. Mitään sponssihommia tää video ei ollu, mutta antoivat kalustoa testiin. Saatan käydä vielä viritettyä versiota jossain vaiheessa testaamassa ja videoimassa.

[@E-c-UU]

@@PatchedBandit Nonii sehän oli hyvä. Joo tuo vaikuttaa ja näyttääki hyvältä, kakkos pyöränä vois olla hyvä. Itte ajelen T7:lla, mutta välillä tuntuu turhan raskaalta mettässä. Meinaakko tehä mitään prätkäreissua vielä tälle kesää?

[@PatchedBandit]

@E-c-UU Norjaan oon vähä ajatellu lähteväni. En tiiä vielä kummalla pyörällä. Se eteläinen TET ainaki kokonaan.

[@E-c-UU]

@@PatchedBandit Norja on kyllä hieno paikka, riittää nähtävää. Mee ihmeessä tuaregilla, siitä olis kiva nähä enemmän videoita. Maanantaina lähtö etelän reissulle prätkällä. Viro, Latvia, Liettua, puola, saksa, tanska, ruotsi ja siitä takas kotia Kokkolaan 👍🏻

[@PatchedBandit]

Seki on kiva lenkura. Kävim tuon saman joskus ajaan 650 gessulla. Saatan lähtee Tuaregilla, kun siellä on niitä nousuja paljo norjassa. Tuareg videot eioo kauheen hyvin vetäny verrattuna Hondaan 😅

[@AbdurrahmanZedSaeed]

😅 Just suprised of how you crashed the turn...

[@PatchedBandit]

Doest need to be a long distraction in the right place and right time 😅 bike got light going over the hill and had 0 grip to turn. Didnt follow the rule ”drive slow enought to stop in the distance you see” i guess

[@AbdurrahmanZedSaeed]

@@PatchedBandit next time, the eyes stays on the road🤣 Man, the crash looks pretty awful from the look of the body work damages and mirror...

[@ndrew19]

Snapped a tree with your nuts😂

[@PatchedBandit]

Steel 🍒 😂

[@massimilianobaffoni1680]

Compliment for your english

[@PatchedBandit]

Thank you! 😃 It's pretty hard to make these in a second language but Iits nice that some people still like to watch 🙏

[@suupaltti]

You mention several times offroading on the video. I didn't see that at all despite that diving on the ditch. I think those are gravel roads, not offroads.

[@PatchedBandit]

Thank you for the education

[@suupaltti]

@@PatchedBandit 😀I didn't want to be asshole but maybe it sounds like it. Sorry.

[@PatchedBandit]

@@suupaltti I say all kinds of crazy things when I try to improvise 30 minutes of useable material. It's not the first and will not be my last mistake. I should use wording like off the paved road. Biggest hurdle is to do this in my second language. I would love to do content in Finnish but nobody would watch it. I would love to take Kove out where I live so I could find some better more technical riding too to mix things up but I don't know anything in Lahti so I just had to do TET and most of TET is like this.

[@Bigshow857]

Kove 450 is crap....

[@PatchedBandit]

Another mans crap is another mans treasure 🤷‍♂️

[@scannorse]

Jealous….poor guy !