Kove 800x, Tuareg 660, MT450 off roading

Our friend got the new MT450 and we took him on some of our trials in the northern part of Beijing. Some tight corners and heavy vegetation through a secret trail. Second part is our old trail up to the big rock, a lot of mud after the rain and huge rocks all over. The last part was some random exploring, super hot at 38 degrees Celsius with high humidity at 12:00 in the morning, worst time of the day to explore new roads, we went up for about 30 minutes then took a rest to let the bikes cool down and decided to turn back, I'm pretty sure I suffered heat stroke yesterday, nevertheless ...SUPER amazing day!

[@johnharvey5338]

The fact they all completed the route say allot about each bike.

[@swedbear4035]

Or about the people riding them

[@Nelisjvr]

@@johnharvey5338 totally agree!

[@Nelisjvr]

@@swedbear4035 now this is a comment I like🤣👌🏻

[@Motolifechina]

@@swedbear4035yeah i was a little slow I have only had the mt450 for like 5 days for for this video and the first time taking this bike off road but it surprised me.

[@swedbear4035]

@@Motolifechina I meant that getting through is mostly dependant on the rider and not the bike, so compliments to you

[@ramonquerolpla181]

Guauuuu..buena ruta...

[@davmanlop333]

Cfmoto 450 sounds nice 👌

[@IAmYourReflection]

Best sounding engine of the bunch

[@rationalityfirst]

Sounds even meaner in person. I don't know what magic they worked with that exhaust but you can't tell it's a 450cc engine.

[@Nelisjvr]

@@davmanlop333 sounds very good, like the Kove 800x it doesn't have a breadbox, makes a huge difference!

[@Motolifechina]

@@IAmYourReflectionthank you I like it a lot hahaha

[@RichardS-qh8mi]

Think it’s the best sounding parallel twin by a long way - cf Moto have cooked up some magic ingredients in this one!😂

[@lamproskkaras4797]

Cf 450 it's fine and good motor

[@gregorkrapez5559]

Great trails

[@zeljkodejanovic8786]

Beautiful ride. I only had such an off road once and I said never again for the reason that I am already too old for such a thing. I am 50+ years old and I get tired easily, and I am no longer in the same condition as when I was 30+ years old. I got myasthenia gravis and esophagitis and was screwed for 10 days.

[@Nelisjvr]

@@zeljkodejanovic8786 even for me, I'm 28 and it's still super intense...the day after I'm usually man down and everything hurts! But a lot of fun nevertheless!👌🏻

[@zeljkodejanovic8786]

@@Nelisjvr I really like that Kove 800. It's a shame that it's not available in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I'm 198cm tall, so the seat height of 85+cm would suit me, and it's light for its category.

[@Nelisjvr]

@@zeljkodejanovic8786 I honestly think it's a dream motorcycle...it's super big, but light as a feather! Maybe try to import one👌🏻

[@zeljkodejanovic8786]

@@Nelisjvr A motorcycle that costs 10,000 euros to buy + 31% customs and taxes is not worth it to me. Bosnia is not in the EU even though we are physically in Europe. However, maybe next year they will open their representative office. And even if they give me a discount and reduce the price by 31%, there is a lot of bureaucracy in Bosnia, I would even have to go for homologation because it would be a new article in Bosnia. Despite all that, there is no authorized serge in Bosnia, and any service would void my warranty.

[@Nelisjvr]

@@zeljkodejanovic8786 hopefully you'll get a dealer soon!

[@user-ez9rw5lm5w]

哦天呐😱，我竟然看到了京B。 风景很漂亮。一群人骑摩托总是很好的，可以互相有个照应。做好防护，注意安全。祝你玩的愉快。

[@Nelisjvr]

@@user-ez9rw5lm5w 好谢谢谢谢. Beijing have so many beautiful places to ride!

[@nevillegreg1]

Fantastic ride and views. Would be good if you at least mention the place in the description, the trail might be secret but those mountains are not. In that heat, suggest you would be better off wearing MX style body armour under an MX jersey and MX pants - you will 100% be more comfortable. That adventure gear is too heavy for riding in the heat.

[@Nelisjvr]

@@nevillegreg1 thanks! I mentioned in the description it's in the northern part of Beijing, Hubei province to be more exact. Maybe you missed it! I am wearing MX armour under the jersey 🤣🤣 and my motocross pants don't have enough protection for on road riding....we do some far road riding before we hit the off road sections, the heat is not bad...but it was 38 degrees...even wearing nothing in the middle of the day at that temperature will be too hot!

[@droflivelife]

I'm like the tuareg but over twice the price of the mt. And you can't say the aprilia is reliable or build quality either.

[@p0weraid]

Trying to decide between the cf 450 and kove 800 i think what ever comes to us first will be my oick

[@art2587]

So I see you've had the 800X for about 5 or so months now. Anything stand out to you to mention, anything broken yet or bent, any surprises? Are the bolts, nuts, screws metric, torx or a mixture, seem pretty sturdy and of good quality, not easily marred or stripped? I don't think I've seen you go down in any of your videos. I know on the Tuareg many have complained about the break or clutch peddles easily bending when dropped....Have you performed an oil change or any other maintenance? Can you do videos on those procedures? I did find two dealerships in North Carolina, US that carry Kove's. Reached out to try to get some updates on when it'll be released here. Thanks again for the content. Great to see the bike on terrain I typically ride on and how it looks to work just fine....and your skillset obviously...Great job.

[@Nelisjvr]

@@art2587 cheers mate, much appreciated! I got it in December of last year, now I'm on 11000km, not one single issue...I've dropped it too many times to count...😂 😂 I once dropped it so hard the crash bars bent and my handlebar, gave it a nice kick and it's back to normal...I haven't had one single issue with the bike, not nuts that stripped or anything like that... Nothing shows rust or wear, except for the chain of course...I do think I sometimes push the bike a little too hard off road, but the bike can take it! I've done multiple maintenances, oil and filters...haven't had anything unusual in the filters or oil, usually the oil is still red when changing, the bike also doesn't consume any oil at all. The one thing I didn't like was the stock side stand...it was super high, off road I always dropped the bike because it didn't lean enough. I changed to the lower version and no worries anymore! Next time I do a service I'll make a video of it all 👌🏻

[@art2587]

@@Nelisjvr wonderful news!! That reliability and questioning of material durability always comes up here in the US...even for the Tuareg, mainly due to lack of dealership networks for maintenance and repairs. There is only one dealership in the whole state of NC that supports Tuaregs, which has caused a number of folks I know to avoid them, there are at least two for Kove..which was a surprise. Thanks for sharing the durability testing you've done..LOL even if not on purpose... Looking forward to any maintenance videos you can provide, as I'm a self taught tinkerer that likes to work on my own bike especially with the cost of shop work and I just like to know my motorcycle. Helps when off on a trail somewhere and need to fix something or address an issue. Interesting detail about the side stand, good to know there is option for a lower version (was that aftermarket or via Kove)? I've shared your channel with a few folks that might be of interest and skeptics for anything coming from China...have to show them the fine print of most things they use on a daily bases that were made in that region....Glad to see this company and this bike as an option. Has a mechanic's grade service manual been released? Thanks again. Oh also reached out to Kove on their FB page..seems they'll start taking deposits in the US sometime in August....so we may see them later this year or early 2025...

[@Nelisjvr]

@@art2587 I noticed more Kove dealers are popping up everywhere...that's always a good sign...they won't open if they're not doing something right! I also enjoy doing my own maintenance, fortunately for the first 2 years/20 000km it has a maintenance plan, so I do it at Kove. We came to a conclusion lately that 90% of all production is based in China, no matter if you buy a KTM or a Harley or whatever...the parts are made in China, even if it says something else...it might be assembled somewhere else, but it's not made there! I've seen and have too many products that are made in China that's brilliant to say anything bad, times have changed and some people are just stuck in 1980! Even our fancy iPhone is MIC 👌🏻🤣 and as you can see on ym channel, I'm not treating the bike like a fragile piece of glass, I'm hammering it all the way to the red line...so far...smooth as can be! I'm really happy... The side stand I bought is from the lower spec version of the 800x, it's the one that has the lower/smaller suspension. It's about 3cm shorter than mine, makes a huge difference! Another great page is the US Kove group, Garry Goodwin post some sick videos of the 800x rally!

[@mfg60]

​@@NelisjvrWhere you bought the lower version of the side stand... is it Original Kove or Aftermarket? I'm from Germany and will be getting a Pro from the first dealer here in the next few weeks. I'm really looking forward to it. You said there are two seat options... I'll probably get the 875 like you. Is the lower 865 seat also original Kove or aftermarket? Or is there a way to adjust the shock absorber or the linkage? I actually only want it to be 1-2 centimeters lower. Thanks for your answer and have fun.

[@Nelisjvr]

@@mfg60 I bought it from Kove, they could probably order you one, the alternative is to just cut yours and reattach the foot! Basically the same thing, just shorter! I bought an aftermarket seat, the stock one is a little hard, it's a rally style seat. I actually bought a 2cm thinker one, much better!

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

All theses videos on the 800X , MT 450 , 660 are all pretty good footage ( but unless other than that ) would have been good if you had all spoken on the bikes and the good the bad etc

[@Nelisjvr]

@@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449 maybe next time I'll make a video on all 3, although we don't really beat test each other's the bikes...it's our own bikes and we just enjoy riding 👌🏻 we are all happy with our motorcycles, my friend on the 450 actually wanted to buy the Kove but he didn't want to spend so much on an adv, he's happy with the 450.

[@Motolifechina]

I will be making one for the 450mt soon

[@nkwd007]

How would you describe/compare bikes performance?

[@Nelisjvr]

@@nkwd007 the Kove of course has the most power/torque and it's the lightest of them all...the weight is the biggest thing you can notice...especially if you want to pass through mud or over obstacles. My friend's tuareg isn't stock, he did some major suspension and ecu upgrades. I think if you compare them all stock, there is no other bike I'd rather have...the 800x is perfect in all aspects, super powerful and great low end torque, I almost ever have to use my clutch when riding off roadq, only when I'm in 2nd gear and doing slow turns. The suspension is also amazing...it literally just floats over rocks like it's nothing...the stock stabilizer on the Kove (none of the other bikes have one stock) also saved me multiple times in the sand...I love the bike...keeps a smile on my face no matter where I ride!

[@nkwd007]

@@Nelisjvr Great, thank you. This is very valuable for me as I am thinking about changing the Tiger 900 Rally Pro to something lighter and the Kove seem to be perfect option. I just wander how reliable it will be. Also here in the UK, it may take some time until selling and most importantly service network. Have you done many miles on yours already? Any technical issues? Thank you.

[@Nelisjvr]

@@nkwd007 I have 11000km on mine now, not one single issue...I did replace the fish tail to a tail tidy, I broke it off road 2 times...😂 other than that...nothing at all!

[@nkwd007]

@@Nelisjvr Sounds good to me then. Thank you. I will book a test ride as soon as they become available.

[@danb6497]

That's the stuff. I still need to build confidence to ride something like that on anything other than a proper dirt bike. Cool

[@Nelisjvr]

@@danb6497 it takes time...it's not easy keeping it up right on these bumps and rocks...even if it's just 185kg...it's a lot of work, especially without nobbies🤣👌🏻

[@barebonesmc]

Hi mate, hope all is well, a question. on front forks, do you have adjusters for compression and rebound on both sides? or compression adjuster one side and rebound adjuster the other side? thanks, illbe doing another video today and will link to you again, happy trails

[@Nelisjvr]

@@barebonesmc hi mate, the left shock is rebound and the right shock is compression! The rear shock has got a lot of adjustments, hydraulic hand knob for preload, and then rebound and compression top and bottom, you can also harden the coil and adjust the linkage harder. I'll soon be making a new exhaust mod video, the bike sounds super amazing with the new titanium exhaust and ecu from Kove!

[@barebonesmc]

@@Nelisjvr cheers, I wish that hadnt been your answer though, thats the same system the Tuareg is using and the problems are mounting up. ive always thought it was a stupid idea personally, no amount of marketing will convince me it isnt but that is a different story lol, cheers as always mate, enjoy the ride

[@Nelisjvr]

@@barebonesmc the Kove suspension is much better than the Tuareg...it's not the same, I tested the tuareg, it's not the same system, even if it's KYB, it's a cheaper version!

[@barebonesmc]

@@Nelisjvr seems like it is different in different markets, for Europe there is a split system on the standard model, but the system on the pro has compression and rebound damping on both fork legs, someone was saying that the cartridges can be replaced with a 2 way cartridge if needed anyway, so thats something, happy trails mate, Ride Free

[@Nelisjvr]

@@barebonesmc I actually went out, and I confirmed that they are both adjustable on each cartridge, in the book they refer to the standard model, which is split, but on the Pro, they are on each shock fully adjustable for both rebound and compression!

[@dimxtz67amp27]

Hard. Kove seems ok for mountain and dirt. Where is this place?

[@Nelisjvr]

@@dimxtz67amp27 it's perfect for that, the weight plays a huge role! This is north of Beijing.

[@joaomarquesfaisca2510]

Hi! I can see you're riding with Barkbusters, but I don't find the right fit for Kove 800x on their website... did you adapted ones from a different model?

[@joaomarquesfaisca2510]

Nvm, I've seen the other detailed video and know they're from KTM 790 ADV! Thank you, you're videos have been enlightening, you won yourself another sub

[@Nelisjvr]

@@joaomarquesfaisca2510 cheers mate, glad you found it, yes it's the KTM790 bark busters, the only thing I did was use the left handlebar mound upside down on the right, and the right upside down one the left, then it won't pinch the cables!👌🏻

[@szh4494]

Beijing license plates? What's this route called? Nice vista point around 11:00 mark edit: must been drunk🙃

[@Nelisjvr]

@@szh4494 yes we are all foreigners in Beijing! It's all exploring around the Big rock area in Hubei province, just 1.5 hours north of Beijing!

[@user-ni6hx5jn2t]

Как вам Kove 800.?

[@Nelisjvr]

@@user-ni6hx5jn2t great bike, I have nothing to complain about, even after 11000km, still runs smooth!

[@user-ni6hx5jn2t]

@@NelisjvrСпасибо. Привет из России.

[@rykielkark]

How is that 450mt? Can he follow the rest of you?

[@Nelisjvr]

@@rykielkark he does sometimes fall a little behind...but only when we are pushing fast, I think it's a decent bike...just a little heavy for a 450cc

[@IAmYourReflection]

@@Nelisjvrhow heavy does it FEEL compared to the kove 800x? Have you rode the 450 mt?

[@Nelisjvr]

@@IAmYourReflection my friend on the tuareg took it for a ride, I tested one as well at the shop. Obviously you cannot compare it to the 800x, it's les than half the power and still heavier... I would say it's a great bike for a beginner off road rider, but it's boring...doesn't excite you when you pull the throttle, my friend on the tuareg had the same conclusion, I guess it's just because we are so used to the higher cc bikes. Suspension is decent, but not as solid as on the Kove and the clearance is lower.

[@Motolifechina]

I was able to keep up most of the time but it was the first time off road on this bike so I was a little slower than usual.

[@rykielkark]

@@Motolifechina Expecting mine in about 3-4 weeks. How is your overall opinion about the bike?

[@richardk100]

Nelis waar het julle gery?

[@Nelisjvr]

@@richardk100 in die noorde van Beijing, hier is baie mooi klein paaie soos die!

[@richardk100]

@@Nelisjvr Goed om Afrikaans in 'n vreemde land te hoor.

[@spencervidal3168]

You guys need to up your tires... Make it a lot easier with bigger tire lugs...

[@Nelisjvr]

@@spencervidal3168 we do a mix of road and off road riding...don't want nobbies, I'll get a dirt bike if I want to ride more enduro style!

[@spencervidal3168]

@@Nelisjvr I have Motoz Tractionator Adventure tires, excellent on road, excellent off road..

[@Nelisjvr]

@@spencervidal3168 I'm currently on the Metzeler Karoo 4...they are great off road and good on road as well...the only problem is they don't last very long, not how I use them!

[@spencervidal3168]

@@Nelisjvr Getting 6 to 8k miles out of the Motoz, depending on throttle control

[@Nelisjvr]

@@spencervidal3168 on the pirelli STR'S I barely get 4000km, super good on road..but not great off road...so far I'm happy with the Karoo 4!

[@thodoris3790]

Man,thats a torture.i dont like this type of motorcycling.

[@MotoAdvDuo]

It's called an Adventure with capital A. Asphalt touring is a "bit" different.

[@Nelisjvr]

@@thodoris3790 it's super fun actually...and the bikes can handle it no problem 👌🏻

[@thodoris3790]

@@MotoAdvDuo thanks for information dude.i ride 28 years.i have done this with my dt125,kdx 250,ttr600,wr450...now i prefer road touring and some easy dirt."adventure" is a trend nowdays.

[@Armandas.Stroppiana.]

@@thodoris3790it’s enduro with heavy bikes.A trend that’s always been from time the first old harleys