Kove 800 Rally – An Absolute Favourite!

Kove 800 Rally – A True Favourite!

Some motorcycles take time to grow on you… and then there are those that put a smile on your face within the first few miles. For me, the Kove 800 Rally definitely falls into the second category.

Its featherweight design, nimble handling, and lively engine make it an incredibly fun bike to ride. It only wants one thing: to keep moving forward!

For the Rally version, Kove went all-in on weight reduction. No luggage rack, no passenger footpegs, and a single front brake disc… The result? Just 364 lb dry. What's even more impressive is that this low weight never comes at the expense of stability. Even during a hard acceleration onto a highway on-ramp, the bike remained planted and confidence-inspiring.

On gravel roads, that's where it truly shines. The bike goes exactly where you point it, and the suspension inspires tremendous confidence. There’s no hint of instability, even at a spirited pace. Derived from the Kove 450 Rally's suspension with model-specific tuning, it reminded me of everything I loved about the 450 when I tested it two years ago.

Its 799 cc parallel-twin engine producing 95 horsepower has plenty of character. Throttle response is strong, and powering out of corners is especially rewarding. At low speeds, the cable-operated throttle requires a little more finesse with the clutch, but once the road opens up, the Kove is eager to run. The Bosch electronics do their job seamlessly and unobtrusively.

Its turning radius is slightly wider than some competitors, but thanks to its low weight, technical U-turns—including "bear turns"—are surprisingly easy to execute.

In the end, the Kove 800 Rally is an impressively versatile motorcycle. Its range, comfortable riding position, dynamic handling, and outstanding power-to-weight ratio make it a serious contender for anyone looking for a true lightweight adventure bike that's capable, exciting... and offered at a remarkably competitive price.

Available now at MaxVenture Powersports in Hawkesbury.