If you blink these days, it seems like you miss a new motorcycle brand arriving from China. This time, it’s Kove Moto, a bike manufacturer based in Chongqing and Chengdu, which is expanding into Europe with a new range of off-road rally and adventure machines, as well as small-bore sports bikes.
The firm hit the headlines earlier this year after entering a team into the Dakar Rally, with all three of its 450 Rally EX machines finishing the near-5000 mile desert race. Meanwhile, its 321RR competes in World Supersport 300 racing, with podiums and pole positions under its belt already.
Kove Moto showed off two new twin-cylinder adventure tourers at the ABR Festival last month – the 800X Pro and the 510X. The 800 has a 95hp 799cc parallel-twin DOHC engine in a lightweight 185kg chassis, with KYB adjustable suspension front and rear, a 21in front wheel, TFT dash and ABS as standard. Meanwhile, the 510X offers a light-middleweight package with a 46hp 471cc parallel twin engine, KYB adjustable suspension, Pirelli tyres plus ABS and a TFT dash.
There’s also a new importer for the UK and Ireland, headed up by Lee Westbrook. Kove Moto UK will be bringing in the new adventure machines, as well as the firm’s smaller bikes.
Westbrook said: “We are delighted to become an official distributor for Kove in the UK. The product is hugely exciting, with a diverse line-up, great quality bikes, proper R&D and, of course, a successful racing programme.
“The racing pedigree was a hugely important factor in our decision to become official distributors. Entering a team at Dakar with all three bikes crossing the finish line is no mean feat, but to also take the top step in World Supersport 300 is an impressive and exciting achievement for such a new brand in racing. We couldn’t be more excited to start this journey with Kove in the UK.”
Kove Moto’s UK dealer network development will be announced in the coming weeks, with all enquiries being handled by Lee Westbrook. Contact him at [email protected] or visit www.kovemotouk.com.