The yu-an forks are basically 49mm showa forks. As far as i know, showa and yu-an even belong to the same conglomerat. The forks use the same fork seals as a crf 450 2017+ or 250 2018+ The front brake disc uses the crf bolt pattern as well. Brake pads front and rear are nissin so you can order some for a crf and they will fit. The rear wheel and swingarm are KTM inspired. You can fit ktm exc/sxf sprokets (not sure about the front one but the rear one is definitely ktm) If you want to upgrade you brake, the nissin front brake from a crf should fit as well
Well dude. Thank you for this. I have been seriously looking at this as i am just tired of my big heavy BMW f800gs. Your honest review has really pushed this to the top of the pile for me. Thank you.
@@MrNeildallas heck yes man! Happy to share. I love the spirit of all adventure bikes. And I'm more or less happy on any bike out there just because it gets me out there. But these bikes by Kove are for sure without a doubt the only one's really making the bikes that I want
brilliant review on a bike that looks like it gets ridden - this is the review i like, so true about 690 etc - i ride and love my 500 exc but the amount of folk i know with the 707/690 who never seem to be past what seems like tickover or very low revs is incredible, it is what has stopped me owning the 690, i love it when i ride it but i like giving it back as it's just too damn crazy most of the time
@@ogasi1798 one thing you can't deny is the smile that 690 motor puts on your face...when you crack that throttle open, it's like engaging hyper speed!!!! While I don't want that 90% of the time, that 10% of the time is a hell of a thrill!!!
@@RTRrentals Much love for the time you put into this and how impartial you are to the whole "it's from China" perspective. The story of Kove is actually a great one. By the way you got the Factory Titanium Exhaust along with Factory ECU, but do you also have the Factory Air Filter? It's a 3-piece kit. Might be why the bike is choking at high RPM. In Europe due to CO2 emission regulation the Standard version of the Kove 450 comes with a Euro 5 Air Filter in which the air inlet is 1/3 of the Factory Air Filter. OH and... would love to have your take on the AJP PR7 650 :3
@@BeatPatrol420 I think I've got the more open flow filter. Mines the oil foam filter. Taco Moto is doing a custom dyno tune on my bike right now, and I was asking him his thoughts on the why the race ECU is not working properly with the race exhaust? Cause surely they were working when tested in China. And his thoughts are it has only been tested on China fuel, and that different fuels run differently in other countries. (All made differently) And that each country and fuel source needs its own custom tune. So he's making a custom base tune for my bike :-)
@@RTRrentals Ah nice so you got the bad boy air filter on there already. Didn't even think about fuel quality. Good thought! Look at you getting a custom dyno hehe lucky bugger :P Enjoy!
@@maguslascivious4980 I felt seat to be softer and more comfy than my dirtbike seats, but less comfy than a big adv saddle like seat. But my behind is one solid callus from riding so much 🤣
I just don't like bugs either 🤣. Currently got 5 bikes, 2 of which are a '23 BMWG310GS and a '98 DR650. The BMW makes for a great commuter and the DR is turning into more of a stunt bike. Getting on board with the whole "light adv" thing and this Kove and the CFMoto450 seem like the clear winners in this category. Politics aside, I'm more concerned with long term support and parts availability because I know I WILL BREAK SHIT lol. I think once they get a little more planted in the dealer category I'm gonna take the plunge. Great review bro. 100% agree I'd rather ride a bike close to it's limits than have a bike I'll never get close to hitting it's limits.
@@closedcasketcustoms dr650 stunt bike!!! Sweeet! And ya dealer network, I see em growing now, I think they were up to like 35 dealers now and 30 states It's getting up there! :)
Great review and like yourself I totally agree with your thoughts on the perfect adventure bike, I managed to purchase an AJP PR7 off a friend after owning just about every adventure bike you could name including a highly specked 701 husky which I could not gel with at all, like the Kove the PR7 has such great chassis and suspension with nice manageable power and comfort, like the Kove a great light/Mid adventure bike 👍
@@waynedrew3334 heck yes man. Good to hear you're yelling with that AJP. I've been curious of those machines. I appreciate and respect companies like AJP and Kove going against the Norm and bringing out different machines, ones that people want and don't have through the main Austrian lineup
I appreciate this video, I think the Kove is such a cool bike and you're right that the only similar bike on the market is the 690/701. I really want this bike to succeed because I agree this is the direction things probably should be going. I think the only thing I don't really like is the service intervals. I can only have one bike and I do everything from trail riding to old man GS dirt roads to commuting, when I'm not injured I'm doing easily 10k miles a year. But I do also understand it's a race motor and you could probably stretch the intervals like the 500exc. But even stretched bikes like the 500 only get like 2k miles. I like to have at least 3k miles with some wiggle room. I'm sure as I become a more technical rider I'll start to do less overall miles because I'll be on harder stuff. I do think what you say about the 701 is really interesting because that's what I ride(and love) currently. Maybe it's a "comparison is the thief of joy" thing, but I think the bike is great. I haven't ridden a lot of bikes and I'd consider myself to be like an early intermediate level rider but I've learned more on my 701 than all my other bikes. It's been super friendly to me. The engine does have a lot of power but I find that once you get used to it, it can be ridden in a fairly friendly way. But I'm also not doing super hard enduro type riding either. But I've really only ever spent a lot of time on a CRF250l Rally, DR650, and now my 701. I've ridden other bikes but I haven't put enough miles on them to say I'd be able to notice chassis differences or anything. I really do hope to get some seat time on a Kove though. Maybe it'd finally be the bike to make me love my 701 a little less. I do think that the capabilities of bikes like the T7 in the hands of the average rider accurately reflect what the vast majority of ADV riders want to do, and it makes sense that we're seeing more bikes like that. But I really would like to see the 450 Rally/701 niche start to heat up. I love "do it all" bikes. I wish I had the money to throw at one just to try it.
@@Michael_Shay I do think you can for sure learn to ride any bike, I always said dirt biking is 90% body and 10% machine. You can physically make up a lot for what the bike can or can't do, and on the flipside just because the bites capable of something doesn't mean your body is. Lol Anyone can get on a 701, for example, and make it a phenomenal touring bike and technical riding adventure bike riding. It works and gets the job done. But I like a lot of bikes and try a lot of different brands and different situations and I get to be picky and pick and choose which is better for which scenario. But at the end of the day, you're out there motorcycle riding, any bike you have you can make it work and you can be smiling having fun the whole time and that's all that matters. But when you go to go buy another bike in the future Here's some feedback on one that I think better
I just rode the 800 rally x in moab on our pol tarres hard adv adventure on trails like Pritchett canyon, cliffhanger, etc. and I'll tell ya, that 388 lbs 800 fully fueled is a sick, sick small adventure bike. It was shorter wheel based and light and could be thrown around and pivot wheelied like a dirtbike. It was so dang amazing. Greta suspension. Ton of power. The power in its current tuning was too aggressive for me though in HARD technical riding. I'd like a smoother tune. Kove said that's the pre production model I was riding and that rhe new production models are coming out with smoother tuning that's less aggressive off idle. It's gonna be such a huuuuuge winner
Thanks for the IMHO honest review. Having a Kove450 for 3000miles myself I can confirm your thoughts. As mentioned in another video and re-phrased by you "very confidence inspiring". Regarding the "starter clutch issue": could you possibly go into more details what had to be done (part no, link?)? Thx in advance
@@clemenswyss8 heck yeah man glad you're having a good time on it as well. Thanks for watching :-) The starter clutch is too little roller wheels with a larger diameter wheel and a smaller diameter wheel, with bearings in between each roller. And there's a spring mechanism that puts pressure on those two starter clutch wheels to engage and disengage. That spring mechanism went bad under the increased tension from dual overhead cams. When it went down bad, sometimes my starter clutch would engage and other times it wouldn't. I asked Kove USA for a new one and they sent one to me. I don't know the actual part number but they know which ones the updated part with the beefier spring. It was easy labor to change out but a bit time-consuming. Had to take the clutch cover and main drive clutch out in order to get access to this little starter clutch
Thank you for the legit review. This one has been on my radar since it launched. I appreciate that you mentioned it's highway manners. I live just outside the Phoenix area and really want something to ride up the rim for summer exploring and camping. I see you have some small saddlebags, but would you think it's capable of hauling a little more gear and still maintaining speed on the highway? Thanks for your time. 😎
@@Khermiit you are welcome! Happy to help. This bike is 100% the reason I got it for going to the rim in Sedona. It can take the more rugged routes than a big adventure bite. It's perfect for it. Yes It fits the 40 L as well, but if you do that you'll want a custom tiedown spot if using mosko 40s. You'll want the lower part of the bags to tie down off a tab somewhere where passenger pegs "would" be. You can run the 40s without having those custom tiedown tabs, but you have to tie around the frame where your legs are, and when standing up and getting your hips back the bags are really close to your legs and intrusive. Like it works, but when riding aggressively they are annoying. That's why I run the 10s because they're not in my way at all. Gary, the USA and import of kove told me one of his customers makes custom tabs for the 40 L. I'd reach out to him or his parts manager Joe, and ask him where you can get some of those tabs or how to make them for the 40s
@@RTRrentals thanks the reply! I am an experienced fabricator, so coming up with a lower tab shouldn't be terribly difficult. What about the load the 40l size would add, would engine power still be sufficient in your opinion to maintain speeds up long grades? Tbh... I'm on the fence with the promised 800, but if the 450 will do what I need... I'd rather save some fuel with the smaller bike.
@@Khermiit I did not notice a weight difference with the 40 L on the bike. And I won't lie, I'm super excited for the 800 as well :-) but I'm gonna have both of them ha ha
That’s what I’ve been saying! People are people! Don’t get into politics. After all, the phone you watch this on is made in China! Great review man! I’m stocked on the Kove and I’m gonna get one :)
Personally, I have a ODB2 dongle, that connects to my android phone wirelessly. They are about $30, and you can use many of the free apps to read and clear codes.
@@paulorego86 that is not a bike I have ridden yet. But for some reason it never really appealed to me.. it could be great, but I don't know to be honest
Kove is much more nimble. The PR7 feels a lot like ktm 690. Sluggish and heavy compared to Kove. Probably due to the rotational mass of that engine and maybe the weight is higher on the PR7. PR7 engine has that low end grunt kmt 690 is also known for. Kove is a bit more happy on the higher rpm ranges and is easier to stall.
@@PatchedBanditТы чё несёшь 😂😂😂??? Как так PR7 тяжелее ??? ОНИ ОДИНАКОВЫ ПО ВЕСУ ВПРИНЦИПЕ !!! -KOVE 150-155kg (+30Lit. бензин=170-180kg) -AJP PR7 145-155 kg (+17Lit. =165-170kg) И что 😳😳😳??? AJP PR7 просто мощнее и тяговитая, а KOVE немножко как может как оборотистая, хотя и PR7 с места валит неплохо, если они в ралли соревнованиях выступают !!!
You mentioned a sparky/DB killer combo for the Pro Ti pipe...who's making it, need one for my scoot! Can't find one anywhere. I got a sparky coming from FISCH. Still cant find a DB killer. Uncle Wang may make a combo soon per him. Great review and I agree with your findings. Liked and subscribed. Thanks!
@@hoosk125-wm5bp i've been hearing uncle Wang a lot. I never looked into him but I hear other kove owners speak of him. Sounds like a good aftermarket resource for these bikes. As far as my spark arrestor,kove USA told me that new one is being made for this OEM upgraded titanium race exhaust. I told him it was too loud and I wanted to make it more quiet and they suggested the spark arrest will make it more quiet. How much so I don't know I have not ordered mine yet to put it in, but it is on my to do list this season when I get back home
@@RTRrentals (try again...keep losing connection sorry if double-tap) Agreed on the noise. Comes in handy on the pavement. Sparky: get the FISCH Kit 50. It fits the PRO can. Then comon up. Gota have a sparky up here on the Rim where I live (north of Payson- 300+ two-tracks for shredding). Spark screen alone won't do much/anything for noise cept take a small amount of crack outa the note. I gota '24 STD/PRO. But the ECU is a 1.1 version Race from a sept 23 model. And of course, it runs like crap at low revs/pops/backfires/tip in is horrible/fuel cut dives the bike/snatchy thing they all do. It's the ECU. Kinda like KTM/Hoosk TBI's running too rich (ask me how I know). E-mailed GPX waiting for a reply. KOVE needs to recall all prior 1.4 version ECU's and make this right, or just send new ones out with new maps. Pull your seat- the tab at the top has the Version #, the prod. date is on the bottom of the ECU. Contact Jeff/Gary at KOVE MOTO NORTH AMERICA RALLY 450 FB (facebook.com/groups/1137977753521359/) for more, all the latest is right there. Other than that the bike is a total Unicorn and you can't ride it anywhere w/o even Harley doods checking it out. I was gona build a 701 rally, but it woulda cost me over 22k to do it to the KOVE level of spec. And it would weigh more. And....pfft. Once the EFI is sorted, it'l be golden. Oh and for all the haters- fork seals are consumables, 10$ on Wang's, takes an hour. And....How much is your Chinese made CRF/KTM cylinder head/top end service? A plug-n-play brand new KOVE engine in a box- complete, is $1700.00. That's less than half for any half-assed top end job a "mechanic" can do on a KTM/Hoosk/Honda....for a COMPLETE engine. Think about that for a second- and yes, I do have other bikes....love my custom 23 TX300 Heritage "dual-sport" (snicker) for the rough stuff, but the KOVE for dicing with buddies on cow trails then hopping on the pavement for some wheelie crimes and posing at the burger bar on a full on Dakar spec bike is just priceless. This bike is a winner- anyway you slice it. Welcome to the New World. I'm all in. If ya know anything about bikes? You will be too. See ya up here, Ready-dood. - hoosky.
update: Joe @ Motortoys (dist) just called. Less than 24 hours after my e-mail. Told me to send my ECU in for re-flash/updates. Killer customer service.
This was a bangin review. Quick question. How is it on the roads? I’ve got about an hour to 1.5 hours before I get to decent off road stuff. Do you think it would be a harsh ride on the way there?
@@ACE_888 i'll put it right in the middle of a dirtbike and an adventure bike. It's surprisingly stable and smooth for 450 single. If a dirtbike is five out of 3/10 on the highway, an adventure bike is 9/ 10 on the highway, I put this at a solid 6 or 7 out of 10.
I just rode the ajp and kove back to back in moab in Sandy whoops, 2 track, creek crossing. The ajp is nice. But wasn't a fan of the old school clunky bulky feeling and really disliked how it was balanced and pushed in the turns. Felt less stable. Could have been improved with suspension tuning maybe but just didn't gel with it or have fun on it I think it's a good bike just wasn't my cup of tea
@@robertcarpenter3020 oh yes, that thing looks phenomenal. And some reviews I've seen of it are sparkling. But also the CF Moto 450 reviews are saying it's more closer to a street adventure bike like the KTM 390 is more street oriented than off-road oriented, but still super promising looking... one to heavily consider
@@RTRrentals not a fan… just seems like he’s under the thumb of manufacturers and an extension of their marketing content. And i know for a fact that he removes a lot of comments on his vids that offer opposing views when they get too many likes. Not good.
@@Weltbummler23 ohh I'm not aware of that. I can see the manufactures pressuring him to say something particular, but I guess I was referring to I like his flavor and how he delivers his material in an good storytelling way
@@wraith511802003 oil. But I think the street legal model comes with paper. You can remove the paper and put on oil filter like these Offroad models come with
I think you just sold me on this bike... It was this or the CFMOTO Ibex 450... I'm really torn between the two but I think the Kove is edging ahead for more off-road stuff. If I want to ride forest roads I need to ride 2hours away... I'd prefer not to trailer or truck my bike too... I'm glad you mentioned the other bikes because on paper an FE501s or something seems better... but maybe not?
@@JasonRidesmoto heck ya man! Happy it helps! And ya the cfmoto 450 loooks amazing too! More of a road biased machine, but great for that and not overweight! And ya the 501 is really not much better on the highway than a 300 Tpi. The 300 Tpi actually vibrates LESS than the 500! 🤣 while a 500 will go anywhere, it's really uncomfortable on long multi day trips. I really haven't found a more comfortable/capable long distance Offroad bike than the kove. I've been very happy! Contact Kove USA to see where your closest dealer is, they can get ya in on a test ride I bet. Or come to me in Arizona! :)
I own kove450 and tested the cfmoto 2w ago in Germany.. cf is really nice bike, but imo not for single track, Gravel road level is ok.. when it gets into demanding routes, i choose kove all time.. those 2h on highway, you just have to ride in the ditch with the kove to make it more fun... 😉👊
Hello ! Thank you for your honest review ! I'have actualy one interogation on this bike maybe yon can help me. I have a full size adventure bike but i want try lighweight. But i'm afraid to the service period. Do you think you can do long travel with it ? Do you have limitation ? Thank you again !
@@ValentinCastagna yes long service. Dual sport riding is a lot easier on the oil than singletrack riding. If your not cooling the motor being really hard on the clutch, the oil doesn't break down as fast
@@RTRrentals really thank you for your answer ! It's very clear ! The service on this bike is recommended every 1000kms, how many more do you think the oil can go on with a cool drive. I know it's difficult but i don't know that type of bike and it's just to figure out if that can fit my use. Thank you for your time !
@@ValentinCastagna I don't have scientific data or oil test analyst results. So I can't give you a number. But I can tell you I did a 1450 mile (2400 kilometers)Baja trip on the oil and then changed it
@@austinbreneman307 I did one on my Instagram. I've not owned one, but test ridden one for the day. Good perfoming budget bike. Had some weak spots that could be beefed up with aftermarket parts, but for the price, phenomenal. It can go anywhere and do anything big brand name bikes can do
@@Itzik_Arazi no issues with fuel boiling. But when I bought it new, my dealer modified the air vents on the front tank lids, he said something about them needing to breath better, idk what he did but I've never had a single issue with them. Tires are Motoz Tractionator desert ht with nitro bib mousses
@@Itzik_Arazi yes I think 2 teeth more in the rear, for more bottom End. It definetly needs that, maybe even a bit more. Really tall first gear....but I don't wanna lose too much highway
He's a big tough beast of a man until a moth goes on his shoe😂. All joking aside, great review. I've got the bike as well and a T7. I find the Kove suspension a little harsh for multi-day rides. But that can be fixed. Looks like you have a different seat cover. Do you rent your bikes through twisted road or riders share?
@@silverhill377 ha ha thank you man. I rent them through our website. Readytoriderentals.Com I don't have them listed externally anywhere. And for smooth cruising trails suspension might be stiff, but anytime you try to ride rough routes or aggressive I find it actually quite smooth. But I am also heavier for the stock suspension at 235 pounds...so there is that 🤣
@@RTRrentals yes I've backed all the clickers off and experimented with different directions and different sag heights and gone softer and stiffer and I got a working pretty good. But compared to my t7 or my wr250r it's still kind of a rough ride on certain terrain. Yes it's a competition bike so I get it. I am an expert Rider but I am in my 60s. I think I can get the fork dialed in with some lighter fork oil and slightly lower fork oil height. And I picked up a cheap used CR 450 rear spring that I'm going to experiment with. Then I may go the revalve route. Anyway I hope these bikes become accepted in the community. It seems to be happening
@@Dirtbeaver same class. Part adv bike, part singletrack bike. The 690 has more of a fire breathing motor, but hard to handle the machine. The kove has a more mellow motor, sometimes lack luster power, while the chassis is phenomenal, it handles the rough really well and very stable...a lot more confidence inspiring than the 690
THE BIGGEST ISSUE is nobody, I mean NOBODY sells these. Love's web page is to a ton of dealers that no longer carry them, except for maybe a 23' model left over. I just went through every single one. ONLY the CA dealer had new stock. Mankato, MN had ONE 800Ibex. Sadly, they won't be in the states for long at that rate and no matter how nice I won't own an orphan bike.
@@THEjasonTDI I don't know about other dealerships but the dealers around me in Arizona and Utah have them in stock. But they also keep selling them and ordering more to come in. And frankly, with my kove and my KTM bikes, I never go to my dealership anyways. Because they never stock what I need, especially parts. So it doesn't matter to me whether they have them stock or not. Because I order everything in. Bikes are ordered and shipped to my house, as well as parts. Even My 3 nearby Ktm dealership never has the parts in stock that I need. No dealerships stocks anything anymore. So even though there's a Ktm dealership right next to me, I never bother going in. big retailers warehouse stock everything in their warehouse such as Rocky Mountain ATV, or uncle Wang and kove USA stocks all the parts and stuff that I need and they ship them directly to me faster than any of my local dealerships can get their hands on. And for usually 30% cheaper or more. Warehouses don't have to pay for salesman, prime commercial real estate, or huge workforce of sales managers, floor managers, shop managers, salesman, parts boys, the dealerships have such a massive operating cost it's hard for them to stay of floats. And warehouses such as rocky Mountain run very lean for the amount of volume they do because they don't have to deal with customers directly . I wish dealerships could be more available/stocked, but it doesn't matter what brand Ktm or or Yamaha, no one stocks anything anymore. I think that's why the dealerships are struggling to stay afloat, and has very little cash capable on the floor such as bikes and parts because they can't compete with the big online warehouse franchises. I want to support my local dealerships but their old way business model is falling away from the times and they're struggling to adapt and evolve. I see hype for kove growing everywhere. Forums, RU-vid channels, big guys and little guys. Local races and international races. Whether a dealership has a bike in stock or not doesn't, is not what makes them successful. The online presents and the marketing image is the hardest thing to build. And that's marketing impression is growing and getting traction much faster now. And that's what will make them successful. More will become available. look at the T7 when it first came out. No one had any T7 in stock anywhere but it was super popular and sought after. And eventually T7 production caught up and now there's a plethora of them sitting on the floors with not enough people buying them and they are still successful before and after anyone had them in the dealerships.. Right now kove is on a positive trajectory of the market and more bikes are coming in stock. Son long as they keep that hype growing, and more people buy, and continue give me positive feedback, it will keep growing, along with how many dealers there are and stock up the bikes
For the extra 4K in Australia wouldn’t you be better with a Tenere 700. Nearly same weight 145 kg for the kove but that’s dry so would be closer to 190 (30 fuel, oil, radiator etc) weight and my Tenere with some weight saving is just under 200 kg but absolutely bullet proof motor and bike. Amazingly stable off-road
@@MickH60 correct..the kove feels like a modified dirtbike when picking up/handling it. T7 feels like a minimalist adv bike...easier to pickup than most bikes in its clsss, but still a beast to hoist up
Um, hot garbage. Um, clown bike. Um, it's great but um, it has issues. Um, nothing has um broken um, I replaced this um, had to um fix that, um um um. It's an um race bike um but the um ecu um needs replacing um. It's reliable um, for seals um lasted um 500 miles um...um um it starts every um time but um I replaced the starter and um clutch um. Um it's so fast but um a DRz will um wax it. It's um soo light um, but an um um DR650 is lighter. Um looks like it's um falling apart um, but it's awesome um...it's smooth on the um bottom, um so it um has no um torque um.
@@jonwoodworker little wrinkles to iron out on new platform, I guarentee you I have had just as many ums this and ums that on all my other rental bikes. And other big brand names with major failures when new. I go through 45 bikes a year, got a good data pool to compare to.
@@jonwoodworker you'd probably like to hear I've had two 790s and two 890s. And they'd need a new clutch every 1-3k miles, 3 of them needed a new top end rebuild before 10k miles, and the 4th one I sold at only 3k miles. All had several electrical issues, starting problems, boiling over and boiling gas. Immobilization, fault codes, cams getting eaten up. And if you dropped it and anything touched the front end, you'd be stranded with broken sensors. The Kove has had none of that, just a few bugs of being a new platform. And a drz is yes proven a solid machine, but it's time for something new and progresive
