Chinese motorcycle maker Kove is charging into the middleweight ADV space with something rather unexpected — the 800X Rally. And no, this isn’t just another adventure tourer with soft edges and vague off-road aspirations but a Dakar-inspired, long-travel-suspension-sporting, rally-styled dirt slinger that’s making bigger players in the segment sit up and squint.
Underneath its minimalist rally fairing is a 799cc parallel-twin motor that pushes out a healthy 95.2 bhp and 8.15 kgm. But what really grabs attention is the bike’s dry weight — a claimed 176 kg. That puts it on par with some single-cylinder bikes like the KTM 390 Adventure. And with fully adjustable long-travel suspension (270 mm front, 240 mm rear), a massive 293 mm of ground clearance, and a 21/18-inch wheel combo, this Kove is built to send it where few ADVs dare.
While the hardware looks serious, Kove is keeping things refreshingly simple. No traction control, no ride modes, and ABS that can be switched off — just good old rider skill and mechanical capability. There’s a TFT dash, a bash plate, crash protection, and a 20-litre fuel tank that promises over 400 km of range. Rally raid, anyone?
Of course, there are compromises — a tall seat height ( 895 mm), tubed wheels, and a no-frills cockpit. But at a price of around USD 12,999 (₹11 lakh approx), this is one of the most affordable full-fat rally-ready machines around.
Our ever-growing love for all things off-road and the influx of new players like Moto Morini, Brixton and soon, CFMoto, one can’t rule out the possibility of an India debut for this ADV.
