The big players in the rally segment, such as KTM, Husqvarna, Gas Gas, Honda and Sherco, compete year after year in the Saudi Arabian desert for victory in the world’s toughest rally, the Dakar. Hundreds of thousands of spectators watch the spectacle and many of us motorcyclists dream of riding across the sand dunes one day. At least it’s possible to buy the right bike to do it. As long as you have a lot of money. Because KTM’s 450 Rally Replica 2024 is only available 80 times and costs just under €36,000.
The Gas Gas RX 450F Replica is no different and there are no mass-produced rally bikes on sale from other brands. But if we look at the entry list for the last Dakar, a new name and a new face appear among the familiar names. Among Adrien van Beveren, Ross Branch and Kevin Benavides, all rally legends, the Chinese Sunier Sunier, 1.70 meters tall, looks serious. The Kove logo, the first Chinese brand in the world of two-wheeled rallying, is proudly emblazoned on his chest. And Kove does everything differently from the big players. It offers off-road lovers like you and me the chance to combine the power of a 450 cc cylinder with the ability to travel long distances, with road homologation and at an affordable price.
The Kove has only really been present on the European market since the last EICMA in November. As well as a twin-cylinder enduro touring bike, the Kove 800X 2024, the 450 Rally was also presented. A look at the technical data sheet shows that the Kove can’t keep up with the other rally bikes. However, single-cylinder endurance bikes have long had to deal with strict emissions standards and approval regulations, which is why many can only ride with 20 hp on public roads. This is even the case with the much more expensive rally replicas. However, the Kove 450 Rally can legally use 42 hp at 8,500 rpm and 35 Nm at 6,500 rpm from its 449 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder. In open racing configuration, the Chinese single-cylinder even manages 52 hp. With a kerb weight of 155 kg, this is not a bad power-to-weight ratio. The transmission is completed by a 6-speed gearbox, a cable-operated multi-disc clutch and chain drive.
If you want to take the Kove 450 Rally seriously, you can gradually equip it with accessories or opt directly for the Factory Edition. In this case, you also get a carbon rally navigation tower, rally accessories, steering damper, titanium exhaust system, tri-nitride fork coatings and tire mousse.
Combined with the increased power of 52 hp, the Factory Edition is already very close to the three Kove rally bikes that finished the Dakar this year. Naturally, the price is also close to the professional bikes.