At this year’s AIMExpo, we had a chance to meet with Gary Goodwin of USA Motortoys and GPXMoto. He is the official distributor for Kove (pronounced Co-VAY) motorcycles in North America. He says both the KOVE 450Rally Factory Edition and KOVE 450Rally Regular edition will be coming to the USA.
At first off-road use only
When they arrive around May this year, they will be sold for “off-road use only.” However, Goodwin did tell us that the bikes will be certified for on-road use in the not-too-distant future. His current estimate is that the bikes will be available for street legal use in 6-8 months.
That could be excellent news for people who have been looking for a lightweight, single-cylinder, long-distance adventure travel bike. Upping the bike’s travel ante is its claimed longer maintenance intervals. Goodwin estimates that a bike used for adventure travel (not for rallying) should be able to go around 4,000 miles before needing service. However, he believes the bike will require maintenance about every 2,000 miles for more intense rally racing duties.
KOVE 450Rally specs
On paper, the KOVE 450Rally bikes could represent the adventure touring unicorns many people have longed for. Along with its comparatively longer maintenance intervals, the bikes’ initial specs look pretty interesting.
KOVE 450Rally claimed specifications:
- Dimensions (Length X Width X Height): 86.2″ X 31.7″ X 54.7″ (2,190mm X 805mm X 1,390mm)
- Wheelbase: 58″ (1,475mm)
- Seat height: 35.8″ (910mm)
- Fuel capacity: ~4 gallons (15 liters)
- Weight without fuel: 319 lbs (145kg)
KOVE’s standard 450Rally. Photo; KOVE
If you want a more rally-oriented machine or longer distance machine, the KOVE 450Rally Factory edition might interest you with its specs:
- Dimensions (Length X Width X Height): 85.4″ X 31.9″ X 58.7″ (2,170mm X 810mm X 1,490mm)Correctness · Remove
- Wheelbase: 58.6″ (1,490mm)
- Seat height: 37.8″ (960mm)
- Fuel capacity: 8.2 gallons (31L)
- Weight without fuel: 319 lbs (145kg)
KOVE’s The Factory Edition bike. Note the rally tower and roadbook holder. It can carry a whopping 8.2 gallons of fuel. Photo: KOVE
KOVE 450Rally engine
The engine’s specifics are unclear, but Gary said that it has been inside other motorcycles for about 5 years and makes about 52 hp. Given that KOVE is a Chinese brand, a wide array of engine manufacturers could have deposited their engine into either 450 Rally.
Pricing
Pricing is $8,999 for the 450Rally regular edition and $13,999 for the 450Rally Factory Edition. If you are interested, you can pre-order either bike on the GPXMoto website.
We have been promised a test ride, so we’ll have more information and an initial ride impression on the KOVE machines in the future. Stay tuned.
