Kove first hit the radar in 2022 when a team of riders raced and finished—the Dakar Rally on the new 450cc rally bikes. That was unheard of and they grabbed the worlds interest.
Since then, Kove has steadily been turning out some impressive machines – like that homologation model Kove 800 X Pro that we got to ride last year. This year, Kove South Africa has landed the new new 800 X Rally. Here’s a little bit of what to expect…
Built around a 799cc parallel-twin powerplant, one very familiar to KTM 790/890 Adventure riders, the Kove boasts 95 horsepower. That’s where similarities seem to stop.
High-end touches like LED lights, machined billet triple clamps, integrated USB plugs and a big vertical display screen are blended with Kove dpecific components like Yu-An suspension and Taisko brakes.
A claimed dry weight of just 165KG’s puts this one into dirtbike territory. Front and rear suspension travel specs of 10.6 and 9.8 inches, respectively, with more than 27 CM’s of ground clearance adds to that equation.
Kove has gone minimalist with the 800X Rally with radically stripped bodywork and hardware. We like and we look very forward to taking it for a ride!
Here’s a quick comparison between the more comfortable Kove X-Pro and the racy X-Rally.
Engine.
Both models are equipped with a liquid cooled twin cylinder DOHC 799cc motor that pushes 95 horsepower.
Suspension.
800 X Pro:
The front is equipped with an adjustable KYB 48 mm upside down fork with 240 mm of travel and at the back, an adjustable KYB Piggy-Back shock also with 240 mm of travel.
800 X Rally:
The front is fitted with an adjustable YU-AN 49 mm upside-down fork allowing for 270 mm of travel and at the rear, YU-AN Piggy-Back shock with adjustable rebound and high-speed damping & low-speed compression that allows for nearly 250 mm of travel.
Brakes.
800 X Pro:
The brakes at the front are fitted with Taisko 4-piston calipers and 310 mm dual brake discs and a Taisko single-piston caliper with a 240 mm brake disc at the back. Selectable ABS
800 X Rally:
Equipped with a Taisko 2-piston caliper with a 310 mm brake disc and at the back you will find a Taisko single-piston caliper with a 240 mm brake disc. Selectable ABS.
Dimensions.
800 X Pro:
- Length – 2238 mm
- Width – 882 mm
- Height – 1400mm
- Wheelbase – 1512 mm
- Seat height – 877 mm
- Ground clearance – 275 mm
- Curb weight – 185 kg
- Dry Weight – 165 kg
Dimensions.
800 X Rally:
- Length – 2269 mm
- Width – 882 mm
- Height – 1435 mm
- Wheelbase – 1545 mm
- Seat height – 894 mm
- Ground clearance – 292 mm
- Curb weight – 176 kg
- Dry weight – 165 kg
If you would like to get your hands on either the 800 X Pro or the 800 X Rally give the team at KOVE South Africa a shout.
