The front rear biased improved greatly after breaking and also by setting the free sag at least 40 and Rider sag between 100 and 105mm. Also lowering the gearing wakes up the power delivery quite a bit. The basic version comes fairly corked up so there's definitely room for Improvement on the power but I happen to like it the way it is for my use. When you're in the saddle for long periods of time, the last thing you need is an intense motor. Thanks for the excellent review and perspective.
I rode my Kove 450 for the first time today, all pavement. It struck me as the mid-point between my Tuareg and my 450L. I sold both those bikes recently in anticipation of getting the Kove; the Tuareg was too heavy for anything other than gravel roads (I'm 60-years old and I ride alone), and the 450L was too twitchy (rear tire was not street legal) on the pavement and the stock ECU is horrible. The Kove also will need some remapping as it's a bit jerky at low revs. Yet, it's very stable, I can pick it up, and it will allow me to get into the Cascade mountains without scaring the crap out of me on the freeway. I've wanted a more powerful version of my old WR250R (my favorite bike) and this bike reminds me of that bike with a lot more hp. It will be an excellent TAT or BDR bike, which is what I am looking for. Your comment that this is a much more capable CRF 300 Rally is very accurate. It is what I hoped my CRF 450L would be. I will fiddle with the suspension tomorrow. It feels lighter than the WR250R and more planted than the 450L. Your candid review got me to subscribe - thanks for your video.
@@UnicornMoto Missed my opportunity to buy a 701 LR in 2021 and regretted it until I bought the Kove. Now, I feel pretty good with where I ended up, but I still think about that 701 from time to time.
I'm 63 and also a solo trail and single track rider. Is the stock Kove seat height the same, higher or lower than the Taureg. I really like my Taureg, but as you said, it is a bit much in the technical stuff. I'm 5'7" and 30" inseam, so I can't ride tall dirt bikes anymore like I did 15 years ago. It might make a good addition for me if the ergonomics are a good fit for me.
@@briangc1972 The Kove seat height is absolutely taller than the Tuareg. However the lower weight really helps as the bike feels stable. The Tuareg is more touring oriented. The Kove is much more dirt oriented.
Great honest first impressions. I look forward to hearing more about it after you get a chance to do a bit of setting it up for yourself and riding it in different scenarios. From things i have read, it seems to be the buke that the crf300L/Rally should be.
Great analysis, Chuck! I was getting sick of hearing rave 'review's from influencers who are obviously talking up the bike because they were given some a big discount in exchange. So many seem to think this will be essentially a dirt bike with a fairing when it really is more like a 690 as you say. Looking forward to more impressions!
Thanks! I’m really curious to see how the weight compares to the 690. It feels lighter and more nimble. One of my neighbours has a scale I can park the bike in. I’ll be filling it up & getting an accurate number soon.
Seriously! Worn out by all the influence-y blather. Appreciate how incisive your evaluation is, coming from someone who is very interested in this as a light-weight ADV. Also currently on a WRR.
The Kove 450R does not ride like a 690 at all. Could never get used to how relatively languid the steering was. More similar to the 950SE than a 500 or even a 990A. It's more like a slightly detuned (uncorked and vortex'd) 500 with the low slung tanks of a 990A, much easier to pick up than it looks. It also spins on a dime and feels more bottom balanced than my (now relatively top heavy) 500 (3 or 4 gal tank). Spent a few hours with Joe and Gary today, picking mine up next week.
Subscribed. Loved the pace and honesty. Doesn’t sound to bad for what I am currently looking for in a bike. Light Adv with offroad focus 🎉. A 300L on steroids is exactly what I need. Keep up the great work
Great review. Was wondering about these bikes. Seem to be an upgrade from the Asiawing's I was importing. Probably gonna tune up my 450 for some trail riding this spring. Happy to see you're doing well out on the west coast!
Hey Ron! I remember that 450 well. This Kove is pretty good. It’s very unique. No powerhouse, but build quality is certainly impressive. Even the bolts & wiring.
Really clear review, and some great riding TV as you talk through the positives and negatives. Looking forward to see what your view is on the bike once you stich together, some pavement, gravel roads and single tracks in a single days ride (that is what adventure riding is about).
Great video! I love your style of presentation. I like when people come right out and say it like it is. And then remind us of your background so that we can factor that against our own. I think your whole perspective of ADV/enduro and fitting a bus on a single track makes perfect sense and is too rarely talked about. Keep us posted!
Also, can you compare it to the 701/690. I have 701 with a rally tower and extended fuel range and wonder what the Kove would do better than mine and what it would do worse?
That was a fantastic review. You are very knowledgeable and flying on the trails There is no perfect dual purpose bike. Everything is a trade off. Riders have to pick a bike that focuses on their type of riding and your video is a great tool
Wow! Well done! It is so nice to see a review from a good riders perspective. Some of the reviews on line here look like it's their first day on a bike. There will be one of these in my garage next year too. I'm a dirtbiker at heart but also love adventure biking. I have done the hard trails on a 550lb bike and love the challenge of it. But like most challenges they lose their fascination whence completed too many times. And since it is quite dangerous, very difficult and exhausting if you fall in the wrong place it is time to move on to this little toy. It will feel like a dream compared to the big bikes. Will have a dirtbike still for dirtbiking, an adventure bike and this will fall somewhere inbetween. The bike that so many people wanted but the big manufacturers refused to build. I hope they lose so many sales that they are forced to make comparable machines at comparable prices.
Awesome riding where you are, whitetail @4:35. I'm so jellin'. You mentioned the Honda Rally in the video. Despite the obvious differences I think they have a lot in common as far as how regular people would use them. I can't wait to finally ride a Kove but that won't be until March at the earliest. Plenty of time to watch more of your videos. 😎
Thanks for the review Chuck and just subscribed as a result. Currently on 300 rally fully set up for bush riding with all the mods. A bit more power would be good for the road so this may be the solution. As an 60yr old ex enduro rider all my life weight is now an issue in picking it up so will be interesting to see actual weights when u get a chance to do them. Due to knee issues I am forced to sit down and only stand where absolutely necessary so wondering if you could do a check on that side as the T7 i had was horrible when sitting but much better when standing. Keep them coming, much appreciated
The Kove is decent for sitting, but it’s no couch. I haven’t sat on a 300 Rally, but if it’s like the 250L it will be a little more comfy than the Kove.
This bike is basically a consumer version of a roadbook rally bike. The bike actually finished the Dakar rally with all entries, in one of the hardest Dakar editions of the last decade. Power is all the way up in the rev range, normal rally bike stuff, unless you mount a larger sprocket in the rear or a smaller one in the front. I think its the perfect bike between ADV and Enduro bikes, though I think most people would use them as ADV bikes.
Great review! Kove seems to have the Rally bike setup so maybe they will put a bigger motor in the same bike for those of us not restricted to 450cc by the rules. A longer stroke 500? Or better, a 650-700? But they may want to keep the Rally as their "race" bike to get our interest in the bikes they are building for adv riders, the 500X and 800X.
I’m hoping to do a side by side comparison with a 450L or 500 EXC-F. Maybe the heavy front end keeps the front end down and makes it feel slower. I did a 0-60 mph test today. Gotta look at the GoPro to see the results though.
As a kove 450 owner myself , absolutely spot on, I found the suspension superb, yet friends have rode it and say it's stuff, but the faster you go the better it gets , I agree the engine isn't a exc450 but it's still a great motor for trail adventure riding , I have just fitted the full titanium race exhaust and waiting for race ECU , so will see what difference that makes
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Spent a few hours with Gary and Joe, then purchased one. Four holes drilled in cat will open it up without having to remove. Most discernable sound comes from the intake (pre-upcoming 2024 changes). Similar to putting a Rottweiler on the 950/990 but not as brutally raw.
For an ADV bike it's very well composed. The suspension handles the trail really well. Once I get the front end up a bit or the rear down it might get close to handling like an enduro bike. We'll see. It might just require the triple clamps slid up a bit on the forks.
Its look very good in the video for not beeing a woods bike, this one is clearly geared toward open desert and maybe forest roads, and the 450cc is clearly a size choice for racing regulation.
Really interested in further content on this bike. I’m a bit of a bike hoarder and have been eyeing these up as something to fill the gap between my T7 and my wr250f.
What you're planning on doing will dictate if it's the right bike. It's definitely between those two. The suspension on the Kove is far better for offroad than either of those bikes, but it may feel harsh on washboards.
I thought they were designed for actual Rally events. Roadbook stuff. Thus the tall gearing and trail manners. Didn't think of them as ADV. But it does make sense to use them as such. Great info. Cheers
I definitely conflate ADV & rally. Maybe I shouldn’t? I feel like the terrain is largely the same, just with ADV there’s no expressed value in going fast, but who doesn’t want to go faster? Maybe that’s why I have so many speeding tickets.
Cool video and look forward to seeing more. The suspension on these bikes need to be broken in beflre getting a true feel of it. As you have an enduro background im sure yoi went through and adjusted the sag before making any resl impressions. One thing ill say is if you can remember that this is not an enduro bike you will start to see it for what it is. Going up 2 teeth in the rear will also help the power come on a bit earlier as well so its not as sluggish in the woods
If I was going to ride it in the woods a lot I would gear it down but as you say, it’s not built for that. It will be spending much of its days on gravel & 2 track.
Excellent and informative video! Some of the most detailed insights I’ve seen on the riding characteristics! Are you able/willing to elaborate more about comparisons with the 690/701 platform?
I feel like in order to do that I would need to spend a day riding a 690. I work on them regularly, so I have test ridden them many times but never actually went “riding” on one. If I can do that I’ll definitely elaborate.
@@UnicornMoto I feel like the 690/701 feels a little heavier, but more noticeable is where the weight is. The Kove caries its weight pretty low. The 690/701 always feels a bit top-heavy to me.
@@UnicornMoto I owned a 701 for 2 years and ride trails like the ones in this video most of the time with usually 60-100 miles of highway in between. The 701 is not good at any particular thing but can do everything okay of that makes sense to you. It does not steer well, it feels very long, does feel top heavy compared to the kove, does not like the highway very much and has close to 2 inches less suspension travel in stock form. Now the kove has a longer rake than most bikes because of its rally nature. With combination of that and how the power is delivered, the front end takes more work to lift up than most bikes but can be done on command once you get used to it. The 701 does have a great motor but the kove doesn't leave me missing it as if you ride more aggressively it's one of the most rewarding bikes in terms of fun factor. A lot of people keep trying to compare the two when out the box there is no comparison. After 7k in mods, then the 701 comes into play "on paper". Kove is the only bike I've had that does everything well in my experience. This is the first time I've heard someone say the kove doesn't have any power but I don't know background and perspective is everything and it's all valued!
I already own a KTM 500 and several dirt bikes. Do you think a kovel or a tuareg would be a better bike for me to do light adv riding?which one would you pick and why? Great honest no nonsense review. Going to subscribe
It all depends on how much trail vs. Road you’re going to do. The Tuareg is pretty good offroad, but not as good as the Kove. The Tuareg suspension is WAY too soft for anything except washboards & going to Starbucks. The tank is also in the way for getting forward on the bike. The Kove seat allows you to slide right forward. The Tuareg engine is much better for higher speed riding though.
Interesting take, I had kind of dismissed the kove in my general thinking, I'm looking to move up from my wr250r, which while its been great for what I do, if I have to be in it for more than an hour at a time, or have to make more than a short hill at main road speeds its charms wear thin. I realize theres no perfect "do everything" bike, and the better it gets for the road, the worse it gets for the dense nasty woods trails, but the kove might be a thought in the considerations now.
The newly anounced KOVE 450EX is up 10 hp and lihter by 35 pounds... pricy at 19999 but im guesng the 50 units would be sold out before the end of the year.
The old yamaha xt500 was a good basic bike. The WR250 is good also. Im very curious about the new Triumph TF450 . Its high tech, based on the 250 thats just come out. If they sort out any teething problems and durability, reliability and make it easy to work on in the field for the rider like practical on the Dakar rally but also as a round the world bike and better than hondas crf300 they would do well. Royal enfield have a new 450cc himalayan but its not so cheap for the quality and being indian made i question if its anywhere near as good as the portuguese AJP600 which is very thoughtfully designed for practicality and servicing with stuff like bearing numbers, oil seal sizes so you can have the correct size and fit any bearing of the same spec whether its NTN, RHP or koyo for example.
I've a dr650. They're simple, reliable but it's sad Suzuki never sorted the 3rd gear pinion weakness. Apart from that it's possibly one of the best bikes at the price in the real world.
Did you get the standard version or the low version? Do you think the extra 2 inches of suspension travel and clearance on the standard version is needed given this isn't an Enduro bike or should not be used as one. I am 6ft with a 33-34 inch inseam but considering the lower version because if i load it up as an adv bike then i feel it would be easier to reach the ground+ would give me confidence to explore more. Maybe more planted with CG closer to ground? Thoughts?
The ones I have here are all the full height. If I want a lowered one I can do that in an afternoon. The Kove is definitely tall. I feel like 2” lower might be a little on the low side for you due to ground clearance but I’m not sure. The pipe is pretty low. If you’re doing mostly gravel though, it could be very nice. The lower C of G is definitely noticeable on 2”. If you’re not an aggressive rider you may want the suspension re-valved softer anyway and in that case you could set it 1” lower without extra cost. If you want to keep costs down you could buy the lowered one. You can always un-lower it just as easily as lowering a standard one.
I wonder if the slower handling of the 690/701 is due to the larger rotating mass over the Kove? I had my eye on the 690 since they can carry a passenger but was surprised by how much lees nimble than my 450L it was. Subscribed to hear your findings on this new dual sport.
Compared to the 450L the 690 is a lot slower handling for a number of reasons, but I suspect the biggest one is weight. Not sure what comparisons I’ll get to do with this, but I’d love to do a 690 comparison.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Good review from an enduro point of view. I had a 2019 690 that I tried to build into a lightweight ADV. Spent a lot of money on tower, fairing, lightweight rear racks, etc. It had tons of power, too much at times off road. The weight from what you've reported is very similar. The 690 had the stock fuel tank under the seat, and I added another 1.6 gal tank under the seat where the original air filter was. With these mods and a big beefy skid plate it was about 350 lbs full of fuel, same ballpark as this bike. Had to sell last year, this looks like a possible much cheaper replacement.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Hard to say the weight of the 701 I rode since it had a full tower and the aux tank. My modded 450 is likely just over 330lbs with a full tank.
Im curious as to how you feel this thing compares to an uncorked drz400s. I love the way mine rides compared to the 690 i had before. The ktm felt heavy and had terrible steering angle locks which sucked in the woods. Something of a middleground of the two would be a perfect bike for me!
The engine is similar to a DRZ and the suspension is better (stiffer,) but it’s a lot heavier than the DRZ. The Kove is less single track oriented, but better for faster, open stuff.
I like to think about bikes with 3 categories. Price, power, and reliability. You only choose 2 of these options. KOVE being a cheap and reliable supposedly. Then it wont be as powerful as a ktm. Expected but good review
@@ChuckfromTrueTech A cruiser or geared for some sprite 14 52 is the average on the Spritely bikes , i wonder what the cove is 13 48 ? Looks a start to Chinese quality control , probably on par with the euro bikes in that catergory. Lets see if they can glue a magnet in the starters correctly unlike some :)
Researching my 690 replacement. Always thought a wr450r might be a perfect touring/BDR bike. Could this be it? Any thoughts on service intervals? Guessing 40-50# rackless luggage strapped on back is a non issue? Hmmmm
I have a video specifically comparing the Kove to the 701/690. The two are much closer to each other than to a WR. If you were looking for something as light & small as the WR, I doubt the Kove would suit your needs. The Kove is a bit more offroad oriented than the 690 though.
Thanks for that. 690 has been great for me. Let's just say it's pretty beat up, but never missed a beat. I'll watch your other video. Thanks for what you do! @@ChuckfromTrueTech
Chuck I Dallas did a vid on the Kove abs, is that your bike or did he get one too? Picking mine up Weds it's been ready over a week but I have been too busy lol. Cheers
I never saw this bike marketed as an enduro or pretending to be a dirt bike. It’s the consumer version of a rally bike (Not like the 300L, that’s just stickers). I’m not an expert, or even an amateur really, but it seems like they did a really good job of building a budget rally bike. Sure folks are going to use it as an adventure bike or to ride single track, but that’s not what it was made for, and that’s not how it was marketed.
The misconception may have been totally due to my limited view of the “non dirtbike” world. When I think of who will use this bike, especially in the mountains of BC it will be ADV riders. I live in a dual sport mecca, so I’m really looking forward to using it that way.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Totally. I live in a dual sport Mecca in Montana as well, I think the bike will excel in that capacity, and look forward to owning one for that purpose too. I just think it’s important to keep the intended purpose of the bike in mind. All that said though, great review! I’m always curious to see how this bike does in different situations.
I subscribed to find out what you think after you actually put a good amount of hours on the Kove. After you set the sag and clickers etc. for your body size and weight, Which is what? Own a 690 and Tenere 700, considering adding the Kove.
I’m 207 at the moment. I will check/adjust the sag, but I’m sure it won’t make a big difference because of the massive fuel capacity. Sag will change a lot depending on fuel level/ baggage. I’ll also raise up the triple clamps. Looks like I’ve got a 701 to test this weekend.
The comparison to a 690 makes sense since they are both rally bikes. Have you had a chance to have it on the highway? I’m curious how it would do on a longer trip where you might need to buzz on pavement a few hours.
I’ve had it on the road a bit. I’m not a great resource for that because I’d rather drive my truck to town than a bike, but it seems decent to me. Planning to have a 690 comparison out on Sunday.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech looking forward to that. Especially in terms of things like vibration, as my older 690 was baaaad. I hear it's improved on the newer ones due to another balancer shaft, but still there. I think the appeal of a bike like this is that it could be a true go anywhere exploring machine. Get on it at your house and ride the freeway to some singletrack. Look at a map, see something cool - go there! That's what I did with my 690 and to some extent with my DR650. Not perfect for every situation, but probably as close as it gets.
Great review, looking forward to more rides & reviews on it. If its a 300 Rally on steroids with way better suspension, it would actually suit me (and probably a lot of other people) really well and get me on more roady day trips than my EXCF. Waiting for it to be street legal in Canada though.
I am not a pro rider or enduro rider but a lifelong Rally fan. And I just want to point out that f.ex. the 690 Chassis is / was the one used at Dakar - just with a 450 Engine in it. Also, the way you describe the power output, is how Rally Raid people describe their race bikes in comparison to regular enduro machines. If that ice true, then yeah, it says Rally on it, and it means Rally.
You could 100% be right. I know almost nothing about rally or the bikes they use. Seems to me though that in any type of racing I would be wanting more power than this. For ADV or DS though, it’s just fine.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech I believe you, and I have never ridden either type (Rally or Kove) to make the call. When they originally raced through Africa they only had top end power, almost 400lbs of weight (due to massive amount of fuel and extra reinforced frames) while in South America they almost went with EXC-F type specs (power, weight etc.) due to more technical terrain and not really high speed stages, also different set of rules. Now they race in Saudi, which is actually tits out all the time - but with a more "green" washed rule set. And I expect them to slow the race down next year due to the catastrophic accidents last year. However, maybe it's not too bad they powered the Kove down for safety reasons :) - and when I see how many 450RL are for sale with just 1000mils and less, it fits the market.
I'm really curious on what you're going to conclude about this bike and I wish more manufacturers would build something like this. Sounds like the design purpose is different from what you normally would ride or seek out for your own bike so your perspective will be great to see. The low power really surprises me and I'm curious what is going on there. I know you'll tweek the set up for improvement, sounds unbalanced front to rear a bit.(lots of fuel) For reference I have a rally/adv set up 690R with lots of upgrades and they are a different animal in the handling department but that 690 has ridiculous power especially TC turned off, a different personality with the press of a switch. Does the Kove have a rowdy map?
@@danbutler2934 the question is, is this the "pro" model or the "standard" one. Kove states on the website that only the pro version has a race tuned ECU incl. the full exhaust system.
Hi, i'm a 32 yo "novice" rider from Italy. I used to race the Gilera 70cc Malossi Trophy mopeds when i was 12yo for 2 seasons (24 HP 90mph @ 16K rpm) and i raced 3 season of "big bore" ( 89 cc) scooter (moped) cross (29 HP) but that's all the experience i've got on two wheels. I just got my motorcycle license and looking to buy my first "big boys" bike😂. I'm 6ft weighing roughly 215 lbs. I'm planning a 7/8 month road trip from Italy to Japan departing the end of March this year. I'm looking at this bike for a long distance SOLO trip carrying roughly 50/60 lbs of gear, tools and spares. I'll be doing as much as possible offroad. I'm not racing nor in a rush by any means but i want a bike with plenty of power to get me there. Do you think this bike is suitable for such a trip? I'm not even considering the big bikes mainly because of lack of experience. I was looking at max 55hp. The alternative would be the Honda CRF 300 rally but with 27 hp and the terrible suspension (I tried the bike and sitting on it without gear and it sagged roughly 55%😂) I really think this is a decent option. Actually the not overaggressive 1st and 2nd gear will make it a more mellow ride I think. Could you recommend it? Do you know any aftermarket parts available example a lighter exhaust? how is the seat, is it Enduro hard or better suited for ADV? I would be buying the bike site Unseen. Thanks
I don’t think the Kove would be the best option for that tor several reasons. 1: Parts availability. On a trip like that you will need parts, and unless you have a good source it could take a long time. 2: The suspension is stiff. ADV bikes have soft suspension for long hours of smooth riding. At 215 lbs you’ll need to respring a bike for your weight. 3: The Kove isn’t built to carry much gear. The rear subframe is a fuel tank, so I don’t know if it can hold that much gear.
It is not an Adventure bike, it is a Rally bike. Designed for European and African Desert Rallies. All 4 factory bikes finished in the Dakar Rally and they finished in the top 100. No other brand has done that well on a first attempt. None of their riders had previous Dakar experience. If they had provided a couple bikes to experienced privateer teams, they could possibly have had a podium finish at Dakar.
I think the bike works very well. I have zero first hand experience with rally, but it seems to me drawing a line between this bike & an ADV bike is splitting hairs. The engine likes to be revved and the suspension is set up properly but otherwise I’m not sure what else is really different. I thought Kove entered 3 bikes in the Dakar, no?
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Great review. Not available as yet in the EU but probably will be in 2024. I've an old school XR250R, zero tech, kick start, not even a fuel gauge! It's fine, and I ride it on road and some green lanes, but wouldn't go on a day trip on it. I've a V-Strom 650 XT, great for day trips, multi-days, but offroad its a top heavy pig - to the extent it would put you off taking it offroad, esp if on my own. This seems to be the sweet spot, can do multi days, light enough to pick up repeatedly yourself, not super expensive, easy switch off ABS, a TFT dash! I'm sure they'll sort out the low end fuelling, remap or even just remove the charcoal can I hear helps. Personally would prefer tubeless as not really interested in hard enduro and the convenience of being able to plug a puncture, I could go "ghetto tubeless" czcams.com/video/60bi1r2Xvbo/video.htmlsi=DrdPiFnuxqHNqvDj Other quirks with the Kove - need to check oil level with a cable tie - that will not impress the GS crowd.😆 The windscreen looks small so maybe if doing lots of road miles would pop on something higher. There's the ABS selection each time turn on issue (common one it seems). Front wheel needs balancing, out of the box. Any pillion (passenger) pegs? It seems to be unicorn that Suzuki refuse to make (DRZ400 modernisation) and that Honda did only half-heartedly (300L Rally). So I hope Kove sells a ton of them, tempt others in, get some competition going.
Wait, you said "finished in the top 100". I don't see how that proves anything considering they can be repaired/rebuilt between stages or even during the stage.
Apparently Euro standards have been met. North America should be close behind. 🤞 Although Beta street legality was promised over and over many years ago. We shall see.
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.
What it is is in its name. It's not Kove 450 enduro, or Kove 450 dirt bike. Unlike Hondas crf300 rally this bike is a rally bike, it should be able to handle every kind of surface during a race. (BTW, Honda should have called the crf450l rally, and the 300 should be an L bike, just like the XR650, with the R being a race bike, and the L a nice dual sport.
In ADV circles I’ve gotten chastised for calling the 300 Rally a 300L. 😂 In my mind they’re the same thing with a fairing & a loud pipe. I would say the 450L should be called a DS bike though. It has too much junk bolted to it to be a serious rally bike. That tail section is just begging to rip the rear end off the bike. I’m learning more about this “rally” thing through this bike.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech The bike you should compare it to, if you can find one, is the Honda XR650R. That's another bike built for rallying. It won several Baja races, and other races too. I think the only thing it has in common with the X650L is the XR name and the displacement.
Oh 100% I'm sure. The 390 sits in a unique space because it's lightweight with a peaky power output in the sub 400lb class. The Kove seems like it has really similar engine characteristics with even less weight and MUCH better suspension.
Don’t you think there are any Chinese men & women who are just like us? Trying to do an honest days work and build a product that makes the world a better place to be?
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Yes of course. The problem is in a Communist society they don't give their workers enough to enjoy. And I didn't say anything about the people. All the profits go to support a system that wants to destroy yours. I look at ALL dynamics before making statements. Please give me a reason to support China. And don't even go with my computer and phone are from China. Phone is Korean and computer is Taiwan. I could find a toaster not made from China though.
The front rear biased improved greatly after breaking and also by setting the free sag at least 40 and Rider sag between 100 and 105mm. Also lowering the gearing wakes up the power delivery quite a bit. The basic version comes fairly corked up so there's definitely room for Improvement on the power but I happen to like it the way it is for my use. When you're in the saddle for long periods of time, the last thing you need is an intense motor. Thanks for the excellent review and perspective.
I rode my Kove 450 for the first time today, all pavement. It struck me as the mid-point between my Tuareg and my 450L. I sold both those bikes recently in anticipation of getting the Kove; the Tuareg was too heavy for anything other than gravel roads (I'm 60-years old and I ride alone), and the 450L was too twitchy (rear tire was not street legal) on the pavement and the stock ECU is horrible. The Kove also will need some remapping as it's a bit jerky at low revs. Yet, it's very stable, I can pick it up, and it will allow me to get into the Cascade mountains without scaring the crap out of me on the freeway. I've wanted a more powerful version of my old WR250R (my favorite bike) and this bike reminds me of that bike with a lot more hp. It will be an excellent TAT or BDR bike, which is what I am looking for. Your comment that this is a much more capable CRF 300 Rally is very accurate. It is what I hoped my CRF 450L would be. I will fiddle with the suspension tomorrow. It feels lighter than the WR250R and more planted than the 450L. Your candid review got me to subscribe - thanks for your video.
Glad to hear others feel similarly! Can’t wait to play with the mapping. Sounds like there are already several updates.
Excellent feedback! Also selling my Tuareg to buy either a 701 or Kove...
@@UnicornMoto Missed my opportunity to buy a 701 LR in 2021 and regretted it until I bought the Kove. Now, I feel pretty good with where I ended up, but I still think about that 701 from time to time.
I'm 63 and also a solo trail and single track rider. Is the stock Kove seat height the same, higher or lower than the Taureg. I really like my Taureg, but as you said, it is a bit much in the technical stuff. I'm 5'7" and 30" inseam, so I can't ride tall dirt bikes anymore like I did 15 years ago. It might make a good addition for me if the ergonomics are a good fit for me.
@@briangc1972 The Kove seat height is absolutely taller than the Tuareg. However the lower weight really helps as the bike feels stable. The Tuareg is more touring oriented. The Kove is much more dirt oriented.
Great honest first impressions. I look forward to hearing more about it after you get a chance to do a bit of setting it up for yourself and riding it in different scenarios. From things i have read, it seems to be the buke that the crf300L/Rally should be.
Great analysis, Chuck! I was getting sick of hearing rave 'review's from influencers who are obviously talking up the bike because they were given some a big discount in exchange. So many seem to think this will be essentially a dirt bike with a fairing when it really is more like a 690 as you say. Looking forward to more impressions!
Thanks! I’m really curious to see how the weight compares to the 690. It feels lighter and more nimble. One of my neighbours has a scale I can park the bike in. I’ll be filling it up & getting an accurate number soon.
Seriously! Worn out by all the influence-y blather. Appreciate how incisive your evaluation is, coming from someone who is very interested in this as a light-weight ADV. Also currently on a WRR.
This bike is not a 690. If you can manage to ride one without any bias, I think you will agree
The Kove 450R does not ride like a 690 at all.
Could never get used to how relatively languid the steering was.
More similar to the 950SE than a 500 or even a 990A.
It's more like a slightly detuned (uncorked and vortex'd) 500 with the low slung tanks of a 990A, much easier to pick up than it looks.
It also spins on a dime and feels more bottom balanced than my (now relatively top heavy) 500 (3 or 4 gal tank).
Spent a few hours with Joe and Gary today, picking mine up next week.
Great intro review, level of detail and pace is spot on!
I love the commentary from this perspective. Great video!
Subscribed. Loved the pace and honesty. Doesn’t sound to bad for what I am currently looking for in a bike. Light Adv with offroad focus 🎉. A 300L on steroids is exactly what I need. Keep up the great work
I appreciate your perspective. These first three videos have been clear, concise, and filled with practical insights. Thank you for sharing.
Great review. Was wondering about these bikes. Seem to be an upgrade from the Asiawing's I was importing. Probably gonna tune up my 450 for some trail riding this spring. Happy to see you're doing well out on the west coast!
Hey Ron! I remember that 450 well. This Kove is pretty good. It’s very unique. No powerhouse, but build quality is certainly impressive. Even the bolts & wiring.
Really clear review, and some great riding TV as you talk through the positives and negatives.
Looking forward to see what your view is on the bike once you stich together, some pavement, gravel roads and single tracks in a single days ride (that is what adventure riding is about).
Great video! I love your style of presentation. I like when people come right out and say it like it is. And then remind us of your background so that we can factor that against our own. I think your whole perspective of ADV/enduro and fitting a bus on a single track makes perfect sense and is too rarely talked about. Keep us posted!
Also, can you compare it to the 701/690. I have 701 with a rally tower and extended fuel range and wonder what the Kove would do better than mine and what it would do worse?
I’ve had a few people ask for that comparison. If I have the chance I’ll do a video on it.
Thanks for the review Chuck
That was a fantastic review. You are very knowledgeable and flying on the trails
There is no perfect dual purpose bike. Everything is a trade off.
Riders have to pick a bike that focuses on their type of riding and your video is a great tool
Wow! Well done! It is so nice to see a review from a good riders perspective. Some of the reviews on line here look like it's their first day on a bike. There will be one of these in my garage next year too. I'm a dirtbiker at heart but also love adventure biking. I have done the hard trails on a 550lb bike and love the challenge of it. But like most challenges they lose their fascination whence completed too many times. And since it is quite dangerous, very difficult and exhausting if you fall in the wrong place it is time to move on to this little toy. It will feel like a dream compared to the big bikes. Will have a dirtbike still for dirtbiking, an adventure bike and this will fall somewhere inbetween. The bike that so many people wanted but the big manufacturers refused to build. I hope they lose so many sales that they are forced to make comparable machines at comparable prices.
100%
Yup! The feeling of taking a big bike up a single track where it has no business being is such an awesome feeling!
Awesome riding where you are, whitetail @4:35. I'm so jellin'.
You mentioned the Honda Rally in the video. Despite the obvious differences I think they have a lot in common as far as how regular people would use them. I can't wait to finally ride a Kove but that won't be until March at the earliest. Plenty of time to watch more of your videos. 😎
100% right about the similarities.
Very good and useful information, thanks for the video.
Thanks for the review Chuck and just subscribed as a result. Currently on 300 rally fully set up for bush riding with all the mods. A bit more power would be good for the road so this may be the solution. As an 60yr old ex enduro rider all my life weight is now an issue in picking it up so will be interesting to see actual weights when u get a chance to do them.
Due to knee issues I am forced to sit down and only stand where absolutely necessary so wondering if you could do a check on that side as the T7 i had was horrible when sitting but much better when standing.
Keep them coming, much appreciated
The Kove is decent for sitting, but it’s no couch. I haven’t sat on a 300 Rally, but if it’s like the 250L it will be a little more comfy than the Kove.
This bike is basically a consumer version of a roadbook rally bike. The bike actually finished the Dakar rally with all entries, in one of the hardest Dakar editions of the last decade. Power is all the way up in the rev range, normal rally bike stuff, unless you mount a larger sprocket in the rear or a smaller one in the front. I think its the perfect bike between ADV and Enduro bikes, though I think most people would use them as ADV bikes.
Great review!
Kove seems to have the Rally bike setup so maybe they will put a bigger motor in the same bike for those of us not restricted to 450cc by the rules. A longer stroke 500? Or better, a 650-700? But they may want to keep the Rally as their "race" bike to get our interest in the bikes they are building for adv riders, the 500X and 800X.
Great rewiew. Surprised about the power cooment
I’m hoping to do a side by side comparison with a 450L or 500 EXC-F. Maybe the heavy front end keeps the front end down and makes it feel slower. I did a 0-60 mph test today. Gotta look at the GoPro to see the results though.
The gearing is tall (rally stuff), the power is way up in the rev range.
As a kove 450 owner myself , absolutely spot on, I found the suspension superb, yet friends have rode it and say it's stuff, but the faster you go the better it gets , I agree the engine isn't a exc450 but it's still a great motor for trail adventure riding , I have just fitted the full titanium race exhaust and waiting for race ECU , so will see what difference that makes
How is the sound with the exhaust? I’d like to remove the cat, but I don’t want it to be obnoxious.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech it's quite a bit louder , not rode it waiting for ECU which is due any day
czcams.com/users/shortsZL-DRKEIVSU?si=PN9zPGuQnoqKYLqn
@@ChuckfromTrueTech
Spent a few hours with Gary and Joe, then purchased one.
Four holes drilled in cat will open it up without having to remove.
Most discernable sound comes from the intake (pre-upcoming 2024 changes).
Similar to putting a Rottweiler on the 950/990 but not as brutally raw.
@@meder07 Can you say something about the coming changes to the intake?
Just subscribed. Very interested in your take on the Kove. Currently have a KTM 890r with the WP Pro suspension. Considering switching to the Kove.
It’s definitely better offroad. The seat/tank combo feels a lot like a 690. It allows you to move around on the bike easily.
The chassis and suspension appear well composed given you trail speed and the conditions.
For an ADV bike it's very well composed. The suspension handles the trail really well. Once I get the front end up a bit or the rear down it might get close to handling like an enduro bike. We'll see. It might just require the triple clamps slid up a bit on the forks.
Its look very good in the video for not beeing a woods bike, this one is clearly geared toward open desert and maybe forest roads, and the 450cc is clearly a size choice for racing regulation.
Really interested in further content on this bike. I’m a bit of a bike hoarder and have been eyeing these up as something to fill the gap between my T7 and my wr250f.
What you're planning on doing will dictate if it's the right bike. It's definitely between those two. The suspension on the Kove is far better for offroad than either of those bikes, but it may feel harsh on washboards.
I thought they were designed for actual Rally events. Roadbook stuff. Thus the tall gearing and trail manners. Didn't think of them as ADV. But it does make sense to use them as such. Great info. Cheers
I definitely conflate ADV & rally. Maybe I shouldn’t? I feel like the terrain is largely the same, just with ADV there’s no expressed value in going fast, but who doesn’t want to go faster?
Maybe that’s why I have so many speeding tickets.
There's another version with roadbook tower and a freer exhaust I think
Even spotted a deer at 4:35. Great to hear the first impressions by someone who has some experience with comparable bikes!
The Muley does are everywhere now. Hard to get a doe tag. No bucks in sight though. Glad you liked it!
@@ChuckfromTrueTech yep! Subbed
Cool video and look forward to seeing more. The suspension on these bikes need to be broken in beflre getting a true feel of it. As you have an enduro background im sure yoi went through and adjusted the sag before making any resl impressions. One thing ill say is if you can remember that this is not an enduro bike you will start to see it for what it is. Going up 2 teeth in the rear will also help the power come on a bit earlier as well so its not as sluggish in the woods
If I was going to ride it in the woods a lot I would gear it down but as you say, it’s not built for that. It will be spending much of its days on gravel & 2 track.
Excellent and informative video! Some of the most detailed insights I’ve seen on the riding characteristics!
Are you able/willing to elaborate more about comparisons with the 690/701 platform?
I feel like in order to do that I would need to spend a day riding a 690. I work on them regularly, so I have test ridden them many times but never actually went “riding” on one. If I can do that I’ll definitely elaborate.
@@ChuckfromTrueTechdoes the 701 feel as light as the Kove while riding? Seated position?
@@UnicornMoto I feel like the 690/701 feels a little heavier, but more noticeable is where the weight is. The Kove caries its weight pretty low. The 690/701 always feels a bit top-heavy to me.
@@ChuckfromTrueTechthat’s helpful information!
@@UnicornMoto I owned a 701 for 2 years and ride trails like the ones in this video most of the time with usually 60-100 miles of highway in between. The 701 is not good at any particular thing but can do everything okay of that makes sense to you. It does not steer well, it feels very long, does feel top heavy compared to the kove, does not like the highway very much and has close to 2 inches less suspension travel in stock form. Now the kove has a longer rake than most bikes because of its rally nature. With combination of that and how the power is delivered, the front end takes more work to lift up than most bikes but can be done on command once you get used to it. The 701 does have a great motor but the kove doesn't leave me missing it as if you ride more aggressively it's one of the most rewarding bikes in terms of fun factor. A lot of people keep trying to compare the two when out the box there is no comparison. After 7k in mods, then the 701 comes into play "on paper". Kove is the only bike I've had that does everything well in my experience. This is the first time I've heard someone say the kove doesn't have any power but I don't know background and perspective is everything and it's all valued!
Id love to see a valve inspection video on the kove 450
When I do one I’ll try to film it.
I already own a KTM 500 and several dirt bikes. Do you think a kovel or a tuareg would be a better bike for me to do light adv riding?which one would you pick and why? Great honest no nonsense review. Going to subscribe
It all depends on how much trail vs. Road you’re going to do. The Tuareg is pretty good offroad, but not as good as the Kove. The Tuareg suspension is WAY too soft for anything except washboards & going to Starbucks. The tank is also in the way for getting forward on the bike. The Kove seat allows you to slide right forward. The Tuareg engine is much better for higher speed riding though.
Interesting take, I had kind of dismissed the kove in my general thinking, I'm looking to move up from my wr250r, which while its been great for what I do, if I have to be in it for more than an hour at a time, or have to make more than a short hill at main road speeds its charms wear thin. I realize theres no perfect "do everything" bike, and the better it gets for the road, the worse it gets for the dense nasty woods trails, but the kove might be a thought in the considerations now.
It could be a really good step up from the WR. Way more power for sure. I haven’t had it on the road really at all yet, but that will change soon.
The newly anounced KOVE 450EX is up 10 hp and lihter by 35 pounds... pricy at 19999 but im guesng the 50 units would be sold out before the end of the year.
What actually we need .. it's to see a review of the factory version looking for these 2 bikes differences !! Indee! It would be posible isn't it?
If I get to try one I’ll do a comparison for sure, but I doubt I’ll see one soon.
The old yamaha xt500 was a good basic bike. The WR250 is good also. Im very curious about the new Triumph TF450 . Its high tech, based on the 250 thats just come out. If they sort out any teething problems and durability, reliability and make it easy to work on in the field for the rider like practical on the Dakar rally but also as a round the world bike and better than hondas crf300 they would do well. Royal enfield have a new 450cc himalayan but its not so cheap for the quality and being indian made i question if its anywhere near as good as the portuguese AJP600 which is very thoughtfully designed for practicality and servicing with stuff like bearing numbers, oil seal sizes so you can have the correct size and fit any bearing of the same spec whether its NTN, RHP or koyo for example.
These Kove bikes look pretty interesting 👍 Good review Chuck. Why doesn't everyone at least use a sight glass for oil like the legend DR650 ?
If next year’s model doesn’t come with one I’d be surprised. Very weird.
I've a dr650. They're simple, reliable but it's sad Suzuki never sorted the 3rd gear pinion weakness. Apart from that it's possibly one of the best bikes at the price in the real world.
Do you have any tips on sorting the front end bias on a stock Tenere 700?
Springing them for your weight & adding valving is a must for any offroad riding. Even for gravel they need springs.
Did you get the standard version or the low version?
Do you think the extra 2 inches of suspension travel and clearance on the standard version is needed given this isn't an Enduro bike or should not be used as one. I am 6ft with a 33-34 inch inseam but considering the lower version because if i load it up as an adv bike then i feel it would be easier to reach the ground+ would give me confidence to explore more. Maybe more planted with CG closer to ground? Thoughts?
The ones I have here are all the full height. If I want a lowered one I can do that in an afternoon.
The Kove is definitely tall. I feel like 2” lower might be a little on the low side for you due to ground clearance but I’m not sure. The pipe is pretty low.
If you’re doing mostly gravel though, it could be very nice. The lower C of G is definitely noticeable on 2”. If you’re not an aggressive rider you may want the suspension re-valved softer anyway and in that case you could set it 1” lower without extra cost.
If you want to keep costs down you could buy the lowered one. You can always un-lower it just as easily as lowering a standard one.
I wonder if the slower handling of the 690/701 is due to the larger rotating mass over the Kove? I had my eye on the 690 since they can carry a passenger but was surprised by how much lees nimble than my 450L it was. Subscribed to hear your findings on this new dual sport.
Compared to the 450L the 690 is a lot slower handling for a number of reasons, but I suspect the biggest one is weight. Not sure what comparisons I’ll get to do with this, but I’d love to do a 690 comparison.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Good review from an enduro point of view. I had a 2019 690 that I tried to build into a lightweight ADV. Spent a lot of money on tower, fairing, lightweight rear racks, etc. It had tons of power, too much at times off road. The weight from what you've reported is very similar. The 690 had the stock fuel tank under the seat, and I added another 1.6 gal tank under the seat where the original air filter was. With these mods and a big beefy skid plate it was about 350 lbs full of fuel, same ballpark as this bike. Had to sell last year, this looks like a possible much cheaper replacement.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech 🙏
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Hard to say the weight of the 701 I rode since it had a full tower and the aux tank. My modded 450 is likely just over 330lbs with a full tank.
Im curious as to how you feel this thing compares to an uncorked drz400s. I love the way mine rides compared to the 690 i had before. The ktm felt heavy and had terrible steering angle locks which sucked in the woods. Something of a middleground of the two would be a perfect bike for me!
The engine is similar to a DRZ and the suspension is better (stiffer,) but it’s a lot heavier than the DRZ. The Kove is less single track oriented, but better for faster, open stuff.
I like to think about bikes with 3 categories. Price, power, and reliability. You only choose 2 of these options. KOVE being a cheap and reliable supposedly. Then it wont be as powerful as a ktm. Expected but good review
Gearing is very tall i believe power wise , great review. If you put 10 kilograms of Adventure gear on the back would that balance to front bias ?
I think it would! Gearing is tall, but as an ADV bike it makes sense.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech A cruiser or geared for some sprite 14 52 is the average on the Spritely bikes , i wonder what the cove is 13 48 ? Looks a start to Chinese quality control , probably on par with the euro bikes in that catergory. Lets see if they can glue a magnet in the starters correctly unlike some :)
Really interesting question about gear and front bias...
Researching my 690 replacement. Always thought a wr450r might be a perfect touring/BDR bike. Could this be it? Any thoughts on service intervals? Guessing 40-50# rackless luggage strapped on back is a non issue? Hmmmm
I have a video specifically comparing the Kove to the 701/690. The two are much closer to each other than to a WR. If you were looking for something as light & small as the WR, I doubt the Kove would suit your needs. The Kove is a bit more offroad oriented than the 690 though.
Thanks for that. 690 has been great for me. Let's just say it's pretty beat up, but never missed a beat. I'll watch your other video. Thanks for what you do!
@@ChuckfromTrueTech
Chuck I Dallas did a vid on the Kove abs, is that your bike or did he get one too? Picking mine up Weds it's been ready over a week but I have been too busy lol.
Cheers
Dallas’ bikes. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Looks totally legit so far.
So you been riding his or you both got one? I am sure it's going to fit between the single track and the commuter very nicely lol
I never saw this bike marketed as an enduro or pretending to be a dirt bike. It’s the consumer version of a rally bike (Not like the 300L, that’s just stickers). I’m not an expert, or even an amateur really, but it seems like they did a really good job of building a budget rally bike. Sure folks are going to use it as an adventure bike or to ride single track, but that’s not what it was made for, and that’s not how it was marketed.
The misconception may have been totally due to my limited view of the “non dirtbike” world. When I think of who will use this bike, especially in the mountains of BC it will be ADV riders. I live in a dual sport mecca, so I’m really looking forward to using it that way.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Totally. I live in a dual sport Mecca in Montana as well, I think the bike will excel in that capacity, and look forward to owning one for that purpose too. I just think it’s important to keep the intended purpose of the bike in mind. All that said though, great review! I’m always curious to see how this bike does in different situations.
qn4. Agreed
I subscribed to find out what you think after you actually put a good amount of hours on the Kove. After you set the sag and clickers etc. for your body size and weight, Which is what? Own a 690 and Tenere 700, considering adding the Kove.
I’m 207 at the moment. I will check/adjust the sag, but I’m sure it won’t make a big difference because of the massive fuel capacity. Sag will change a lot depending on fuel level/ baggage. I’ll also raise up the triple clamps. Looks like I’ve got a 701 to test this weekend.
niceeeeeee
The comparison to a 690 makes sense since they are both rally bikes.
Have you had a chance to have it on the highway? I’m curious how it would do on a longer trip where you might need to buzz on pavement a few hours.
I’ve had it on the road a bit. I’m not a great resource for that because I’d rather drive my truck to town than a bike, but it seems decent to me. Planning to have a 690 comparison out on Sunday.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech looking forward to that. Especially in terms of things like vibration, as my older 690 was baaaad. I hear it's improved on the newer ones due to another balancer shaft, but still there.
I think the appeal of a bike like this is that it could be a true go anywhere exploring machine. Get on it at your house and ride the freeway to some singletrack. Look at a map, see something cool - go there! That's what I did with my 690 and to some extent with my DR650. Not perfect for every situation, but probably as close as it gets.
Would you recommend the kove to a first-time rider?
Definitely. My wife actually enjoys riding it.
You are fast.
Great review, looking forward to more rides & reviews on it. If its a 300 Rally on steroids with way better suspension, it would actually suit me (and probably a lot of other people) really well and get me on more roady day trips than my EXCF. Waiting for it to be street legal in Canada though.
Amen to that! Hopefully soon. 🤞
Chuck , I didn't hear you comment on fuel capacity or estimation of range .Looking forward for facts.
I don’t have those facts yet, but I’ve ready that the capacity is 30L. Some riders are reporting a 350 mile range.
I am not a pro rider or enduro rider but a lifelong Rally fan. And I just want to point out that f.ex. the 690 Chassis is / was the one used at Dakar - just with a 450 Engine in it. Also, the way you describe the power output, is how Rally Raid people describe their race bikes in comparison to regular enduro machines. If that ice true, then yeah, it says Rally on it, and it means Rally.
You could 100% be right. I know almost nothing about rally or the bikes they use.
Seems to me though that in any type of racing I would be wanting more power than this. For ADV or DS though, it’s just fine.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech I believe you, and I have never ridden either type (Rally or Kove) to make the call. When they originally raced through Africa they only had top end power, almost 400lbs of weight (due to massive amount of fuel and extra reinforced frames) while in South America they almost went with EXC-F type specs (power, weight etc.) due to more technical terrain and not really high speed stages, also different set of rules. Now they race in Saudi, which is actually tits out all the time - but with a more "green" washed rule set. And I expect them to slow the race down next year due to the catastrophic accidents last year.
However, maybe it's not too bad they powered the Kove down for safety reasons :) - and when I see how many 450RL are for sale with just 1000mils and less, it fits the market.
I'm really curious on what you're going to conclude about this bike and I wish more manufacturers would build something like this. Sounds like the design purpose is different from what you normally would ride or seek out for your own bike so your perspective will be great to see. The low power really surprises me and I'm curious what is going on there. I know you'll tweek the set up for improvement, sounds unbalanced front to rear a bit.(lots of fuel) For reference I have a rally/adv set up 690R with lots of upgrades and they are a different animal in the handling department but that 690 has ridiculous power especially TC turned off, a different personality with the press of a switch. Does the Kove have a rowdy map?
@@danbutler2934 the question is, is this the "pro" model or the "standard" one. Kove states on the website that only the pro version has a race tuned ECU incl. the full exhaust system.
Hi, i'm a 32 yo "novice" rider from Italy. I used to race the Gilera 70cc Malossi Trophy mopeds when i was 12yo for 2 seasons (24 HP 90mph @ 16K rpm) and i raced 3 season of "big bore" ( 89 cc) scooter (moped) cross (29 HP) but that's all the experience i've got on two wheels. I just got my motorcycle license and looking to buy my first "big boys" bike😂. I'm 6ft weighing roughly 215 lbs. I'm planning a 7/8 month road trip from Italy to Japan departing the end of March this year. I'm looking at this bike for a long distance SOLO trip carrying roughly 50/60 lbs of gear, tools and spares. I'll be doing as much as possible offroad. I'm not racing nor in a rush by any means but i want a bike with plenty of power to get me there. Do you think this bike is suitable for such a trip? I'm not even considering the big bikes mainly because of lack of experience. I was looking at max 55hp. The alternative would be the Honda CRF 300 rally but with 27 hp and the terrible suspension (I tried the bike and sitting on it without gear and it sagged roughly 55%😂) I really think this is a decent option. Actually the not overaggressive 1st and 2nd gear will make it a more mellow ride I think. Could you recommend it? Do you know any aftermarket parts available example a lighter exhaust? how is the seat, is it Enduro hard or better suited for ADV? I would be buying the bike site Unseen. Thanks
I don’t think the Kove would be the best option for that tor several reasons.
1: Parts availability. On a trip like that you will need parts, and unless you have a good source it could take a long time.
2: The suspension is stiff. ADV bikes have soft suspension for long hours of smooth riding. At 215 lbs you’ll need to respring a bike for your weight.
3: The Kove isn’t built to carry much gear. The rear subframe is a fuel tank, so I don’t know if it can hold that much gear.
It’s a Rally bike, you could do Rally’s on it
It is not an Adventure bike, it is a Rally bike. Designed for European and African Desert Rallies. All 4 factory bikes finished in the Dakar Rally and they finished in the top 100. No other brand has done that well on a first attempt. None of their riders had previous Dakar experience. If they had provided a couple bikes to experienced privateer teams, they could possibly have had a podium finish at Dakar.
I think the bike works very well. I have zero first hand experience with rally, but it seems to me drawing a line between this bike & an ADV bike is splitting hairs. The engine likes to be revved and the suspension is set up properly but otherwise I’m not sure what else is really different.
I thought Kove entered 3 bikes in the Dakar, no?
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Great review. Not available as yet in the EU but probably will be in 2024. I've an old school XR250R, zero tech, kick start, not even a fuel gauge! It's fine, and I ride it on road and some green lanes, but wouldn't go on a day trip on it. I've a V-Strom 650 XT, great for day trips, multi-days, but offroad its a top heavy pig - to the extent it would put you off taking it offroad, esp if on my own.
This seems to be the sweet spot, can do multi days, light enough to pick up repeatedly yourself, not super expensive, easy switch off ABS, a TFT dash! I'm sure they'll sort out the low end fuelling, remap or even just remove the charcoal can I hear helps.
Personally would prefer tubeless as not really interested in hard enduro and the convenience of being able to plug a puncture, I could go "ghetto tubeless" czcams.com/video/60bi1r2Xvbo/video.htmlsi=DrdPiFnuxqHNqvDj
Other quirks with the Kove - need to check oil level with a cable tie - that will not impress the GS crowd.😆 The windscreen looks small so maybe if doing lots of road miles would pop on something higher. There's the ABS selection each time turn on issue (common one it seems). Front wheel needs balancing, out of the box. Any pillion (passenger) pegs?
It seems to be unicorn that Suzuki refuse to make (DRZ400 modernisation) and that Honda did only half-heartedly (300L Rally). So I hope Kove sells a ton of them, tempt others in, get some competition going.
Wait, you said "finished in the top 100". I don't see how that proves anything considering they can be repaired/rebuilt between stages or even during the stage.
@@mxbadboy263 If it was "no real accomplishment" as you imply, then why has no other team done it?
You skipped that part of my original statement.
@@mxbadboy263 Having all 3 bikes finish at all is no mean feat. A lot of the top teams didn't manage that.
It comes with an "off road" title so legally a dirt bike.
Apparently Euro standards have been met. North America should be close behind. 🤞 Although Beta street legality was promised over and over many years ago. We shall see.
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.
This should change soon. Bikes are going through the process now.
What it is is in its name. It's not Kove 450 enduro, or Kove 450 dirt bike. Unlike Hondas crf300 rally this bike is a rally bike, it should be able to handle every kind of surface during a race. (BTW, Honda should have called the crf450l rally, and the 300 should be an L bike, just like the XR650, with the R being a race bike, and the L a nice dual sport.
In ADV circles I’ve gotten chastised for calling the 300 Rally a 300L. 😂 In my mind they’re the same thing with a fairing & a loud pipe.
I would say the 450L should be called a DS bike though. It has too much junk bolted to it to be a serious rally bike. That tail section is just begging to rip the rear end off the bike.
I’m learning more about this “rally” thing through this bike.
@@ChuckfromTrueTech The bike you should compare it to, if you can find one, is the Honda XR650R. That's another bike built for rallying. It won several Baja races, and other races too. I think the only thing it has in common with the X650L is the XR name and the displacement.
This bike is really starting to seem like the spiritual successor to the 390 ADV.
It might be! I haven’t ridden the 390 ADV, but i’m sure the suspension is much better on the Kove and the ground clearance as well.
Oh 100% I'm sure. The 390 sits in a unique space because it's lightweight with a peaky power output in the sub 400lb class. The Kove seems like it has really similar engine characteristics with even less weight and MUCH better suspension.
Nobody should buy the Kove or GPX because it's made by a country that wants to destroy ours.
Don’t you think there are any Chinese men & women who are just like us? Trying to do an honest days work and build a product that makes the world a better place to be?
@@ChuckfromTrueTech Yes of course. The problem is in a Communist society they don't give their workers enough to enjoy. And I didn't say anything about the people. All the profits go to support a system that wants to destroy yours. I look at ALL dynamics before making statements. Please give me a reason to support China. And don't even go with my computer and phone are from China. Phone is Korean and computer is Taiwan. I could find a toaster not made from China though.