The Kove 800X Is China’s Answer To The Honda Transalp And Suzuki V-Strom

Summary

• Kove has unveiled the 800X adventure bike, targeting the middleweight segment.
• The Kove 800X has impressive features including tubular crash protection, cross-spoke wheels, and a large TFT instrument cluster.
• Powered by a 799cc twin-cylinder engine, the Kove 800X produces 95 horsepower and 59 pound-feet of torque.

In the last year, Chinese bikemaker Kove has earned some solid fame. Much of the credit goes to its impressive 450 Rally–America’s most affordable rally-spec ADV–and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R-rivalling 450RR sports bike. Going in the same direction, Kove has now entered the big leagues. It has debuted the 800X adventure bike, shifting focus from sub-500cc bikes to the middleweight segment. Though the first middleweight motorcycle from the brand, the bikemaker has loaded its ADV with impressive bits and bobs, all aimed at taking on celebrated names like the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE and Honda XL750 Transalp. Here’s what you need to know.

The Kove 800X Looks Slim, Sharp, And Off-Road-Ready

One look at the 800X, and it looks purpose-built for off-roading. Up top, you get a high-mounted dual-projector headlight, flanked by a chunky fender and a small windscreen. This is partnered with slim side fairings, which integrate seamlessly with the radiator shrouds. The motorcycle narrows down as you move backward, credit to the simple tail end with sleek plastics.

Kove has focused heavily on attention to detail, too. Accordingly, the fairings have extensive tubular crash protection, complete with an aluminum bash plate down low. Cross-spoke wheels and a luggage rack are also standard equipment. There’s no clarity on the color options, although Kove’s site suggests the below finishes.

Kove 800X Color Options

• Black
• Dark green
• Green (with golden wheels)
• Acid green-yellow (with golden wheels and forks)

Like the design, the features are impressive too. Most notably, you get a large TFT instrument cluster in a portrait layout–the same layout as the Yamaha Tenere 700. It gives you access to traction control, a bi-directional quickshifter, and smartphone connectivity. All LED lights and two USB ports round off the package.

A 799cc, Twin-Cylinder Engine Powers The Kove 800X

Under the skin, the 800X employs a 799cc, twin-cylinder powerhouse, ripe with liquid-cooling, double overhead camshafts, and a high compression ratio (13:1). These help the 800X gush out 95 horsepower and 59 pound-feet, all sent to the wheel via a quickshifter-equipped six-speed transmission. The output positions the ADV above the Japanese middleweights like the Honda Transalp 750 and the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, but a few ponies short of the KTM 890 Adventure and the new BMW F 900 GS.

Kove 800X Top Speed, Horsepower, And Torque

Moving on, the engine sits inside a double-cradle diamond chassis. It suspends on long-travel KYB upside-down forks and monoshock–both adjustable. Complementing this is a set of 21/18-inch spoke wheels. These come shod with Pirelli Scorpion knobby tires and wear dual disc brakes up top. The brake size remains unannounced, but we know the calipers come from a Chinese company.

Together, the entire package tips the scale at an impressive 418 pounds with its 5.2-gallon tank fueled up. If accurate, this makes the 800X lighter than not just the above-mentioned middleweights, but also the 452-pound Yamaha Tenere 700 and the 432-pound Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. Other details are given in the table below.

Kove 800X Chassis, Suspension, And Dimensions

Kove Hasn’t Launched The 800X In America Yet

The 800X first broke cover in early 2023, and a few months later, it finally made an international appearance at the recent EICMA. Accordingly, a European launch is just around the corner, with a suggested starting price of €8,990 going up to €12,980. There are three variants on offer–namely Adventure, X, and Rally. The first two are primarily off-road-cum-street bikes, while the Rally is purpose-built for all things off-road. It has a different seat, single front disc, and a motocross-inspired front fender to make its intentions clear.

As for North America, Kove has yet to confirm or announce the 800X here. But given the 450 Rally’s popularity, it’d be a dumb decision not to bring the 800 here. We can’t comment on pricing, but the European prices equate to approximately $9,800, $10,700, and $14,200, respectively. If the U.S. MSRP is in this ballpark, the Chinese bikemaker might have a winner on its hand. That’s because the base price is quite competitive, sitting lower than the Tenere 700, Transalp, and V-Strom 800.

Source – Kove Moto