Kove's presence at this year's EICMA certainly wasn't unnoticed, especially with bikes like the 450 Rally.
One more bike caught our attention after the 800X, the twin-cylinder adventure, and the 400RR. Three Chinese drivers will participate in the 2023 Dakar after a long and difficult course involving 250 drivers for the 450 Rally. First and foremost, we must reach the finish line.
There are two factories in Chongqing and Chengdu that produce most of the components for this Kove, including the engine, chassis, and suspension, with the development team accounting for 25% of the workforce. Kove's founder, Zhang Xue, is a rather unusual character who started out as a driver and engineer before becoming an entrepreneur.
The passion he has for off-road routes leads him to try something no one has ever done before: race the Dakar with a Chinese product with the goal of making it available worldwide in the future.
With a 450 cc engine that produces over 54 horsepower, the 450 Rally is powered by a special perimeter steel frame. In addition to two tanks, it has a dry weight of 145 kilograms and a total capacity of 31 liters. The 450 Rally was also exhibited in a more civilized version with lower compression, about 6 horsepower less power, a different suspension travel, and no rally instruments (tower, road book, etc.).
There is also a difference in price, with the base model costing around 10,000 euros and the rally model costing just over 15,000 euros. As early as next spring, Kove's motorcycles may be available on the Italian market at these prices.
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