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Will this bike compete with Gen 3 KLR sales
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Probably will remain a unique small production bike for a while. Looks like a blast to ride, more power and lighter. No accessory support, higher cost than KLR and no proven track record yet. I read an article from ADV Rider last month on this bike.
www.advrider.com
Both Versions Of KOVE 450Rally Coming To The US - Adventure Rider
The KOVE 450Rally was on display at this year's AIMExpo and we had a chance to meet with Gary Goodwin KOVE's North American distributor.
www.advrider.com
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147 Posts
Looks nice. Sounds nice. But time will tell, if its just another unreliable, piece of junk machinery
Is that Kove reviewer Fortnine?...sure sounds like his voice? Anyway regardless, being the skeptic that I am, I notice the Kove reviewer decided (after his glowing Utube review) to apply for affiliate membership with Kove. IOW, he sees a money making opportunity there, so as always, I'll be taking the review with a large grain of salt.
I watched Fortnine's (not assuming the Kove guy is Fortnine) review of chain cleaning/lube products. My take away from the "scientific" aspect of that review was somewhat skewed by the fact that his results seemed to fly in the face of decades of practical experiences with the myriad traditional, time-honored cleaning/lubing methods. Even so, I decided to abandon kero as a chain cleaning agent in favor of Fortnine's top-pick stuff, based on his findings that kero may penetrate past O-rings/X-rings and possibly remove some factory lube.
Okay fine, but where to buy? Searched around, found that it appears the primary (only?) seller is Fortnine, himself. So how did that situ come to be? Did he become an authorized dealer before, or after his "scientific" comparison review? Chicken/egg?
I watched Fortnine's (not assuming the Kove guy is Fortnine) review of chain cleaning/lube products. My take away from the "scientific" aspect of that review was somewhat skewed by the fact that his results seemed to fly in the face of decades of practical experiences with the myriad traditional, time-honored cleaning/lubing methods. Even so, I decided to abandon kero as a chain cleaning agent in favor of Fortnine's top-pick stuff, based on his findings that kero may penetrate past O-rings/X-rings and possibly remove some factory lube.
Okay fine, but where to buy? Searched around, found that it appears the primary (only?) seller is Fortnine, himself. So how did that situ come to be? Did he become an authorized dealer before, or after his "scientific" comparison review? Chicken/egg?
eveRide not Fortnine. eveRide is in Utah. Fortnine is in Canada.
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It'd be fun, but the point made above remains the same; if I broke down in Pie Town, NM; Chapman, KS; Lander, WY; or BFE, I'd rather have something that could be fixed with ready parts and knowledge.
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481 Posts
Waiting for report! I'll be tempted too if I'm more capable off road.
Compete with euro bike then ☝
If you break down in Lander on your KLR I know of a guy there that can fix it for you.
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174 Posts
Well IMO that KLR is cheap enough you can have them both at the same time. Nothing looks looks better in a garage than TWO motorcycles side by side.
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Apples and Oranges. Watched the Everide review then of course there were many other reviews on this bike that popped up. I think if you had to slab 200-250 miles the KLR might be more comfortable. Mine isn't after a couple hours but the 450's seat looks dirt bike. There seems to be a void that most people are looking for - 500ish cc, 50 hp, 300-350 lbs wet adventure bike that can cruise hwy @ 65 and isn't $12-$15,000 dollars US. This bike seems to be trying to fit in there. Their web site shows $9-$14,000. Unless they sell a boat load, there probably wont be aftermarket du-dads and parts for repairs or service will be order and wait but I don't know if that's so uncommon these days even for a gen 2 KLR. These motorcycle channels seem to follow a formula of buy a bike, review it, ride it then sell it and move to the next unicorn.
Oh and the reviewer kept coming back to the fact that around 6000 rpms is where this bike likes to live to feel that 50 hp. I like my tractor @3000 RPMs on slippery surfaces
Oh and the reviewer kept coming back to the fact that around 6000 rpms is where this bike likes to live to feel that 50 hp. I like my tractor @3000 RPMs on slippery surfaces
The Kove 450 Rally is no doubt impressive. I believe the professional reviews, as it has been reviewed by Cycle World and Motorcycle.com.
Keep in mind these are pre-production bikes, and these guys have NOT ridden actual EPA approved bikes for sale in the US. None of that matters with chassis and handling, but it will matter with engine performance. How is the fueling? Will it make the same as-tested power after it passes Emissions? Why is the bike so attractive? Price? Looks? Will you really want to ride this bike long distances to take advantage of that 8 gallon fuel tank? At 80 mph it's spinning at 7K RPM. Will the engine handle extended running at that speed?
The most important question, which is the Elephant in the room, how reliable will this bike be in the real world? I don't care that their bikes finished the Dakar rally. That don't mean jack in terms of real world reliability. Everide is being overly glowing in his faith with Kove. The second Elephant in the room is parts availability. If you break plastic, headlights, shifter, clutch lever, foot pegs, fuel pump (sucking gas from 3 different fuel tanks no less!), water pump, will you be able to easily obtain these parts?
Finally, the glowing tests were all done almost exclusively off road and not back to back against likely competitors such as Honda 450, 500 EXE-F. This bike is begging to be ridden on the road as well, in order to find out if the promise of a semi-comfortable long distance, lightweight adventure bike is true.
Anyway, despite the glowing reviews, too many unknowns with Kove, their product, after sales support, reliability, etc. I'll let the early adopters answer all these questions. In the mean time, I'll watch from the sidelines and buy a T7/TA760/VStrom 800DE.
Keep in mind these are pre-production bikes, and these guys have NOT ridden actual EPA approved bikes for sale in the US. None of that matters with chassis and handling, but it will matter with engine performance. How is the fueling? Will it make the same as-tested power after it passes Emissions? Why is the bike so attractive? Price? Looks? Will you really want to ride this bike long distances to take advantage of that 8 gallon fuel tank? At 80 mph it's spinning at 7K RPM. Will the engine handle extended running at that speed?
The most important question, which is the Elephant in the room, how reliable will this bike be in the real world? I don't care that their bikes finished the Dakar rally. That don't mean jack in terms of real world reliability. Everide is being overly glowing in his faith with Kove. The second Elephant in the room is parts availability. If you break plastic, headlights, shifter, clutch lever, foot pegs, fuel pump (sucking gas from 3 different fuel tanks no less!), water pump, will you be able to easily obtain these parts?
Finally, the glowing tests were all done almost exclusively off road and not back to back against likely competitors such as Honda 450, 500 EXE-F. This bike is begging to be ridden on the road as well, in order to find out if the promise of a semi-comfortable long distance, lightweight adventure bike is true.
Anyway, despite the glowing reviews, too many unknowns with Kove, their product, after sales support, reliability, etc. I'll let the early adopters answer all these questions. In the mean time, I'll watch from the sidelines and buy a T7/TA760/VStrom 800DE.
Okay fine, but where to buy? Searched around, found that it appears the primary (only?) seller is Fortnine, himself. So how did that situ come to be? Did he become an authorized dealer before, or after his "scientific" comparison review? Chicken/egg?
Rooster.... sorry, I couldn't help myself!
Willie
Rooster.... sorry, I couldn't help myself!
Willie
Yeah it is way too early to tell if the Kove 450 will become another bike lurking in the shadows. In the US, GPX is the importer.
Hot Damn though! They've got all the right DNA in the design and styling. Form follows function. But the devil is in the details.
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Hot Damn though! They've got all the right DNA in the design and styling. Form follows function. But the devil is in the details.
We will want your long-term reliability review IF you do end up getting one. I gotta say, it is a slick looking bike.
We all know your no slouch when it comes to racking on the miles! Let’s see you hit 200k on your KLR!
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481 Posts
Seeing the everide video of preproduction bike and official sales in June/July I think they still have lots of homework to do for things to include on production bike i.e. the easier way to activate/deactivate ABS etc.
I like the triple tanks and low CG.
I like the triple tanks and low CG.
Yes, I watched the full video and several reviews. It looks like a very compelling package, and not the cheapo crapo that usually comes out of China. As for market, remember that the USA will be a small part of the market. The RoW will dominate, so it almost certainly will develop lots of aftermarket accessories and support. The seat in particular would have to be changed for me, becuase I don't/can't ride standing up all day, and I usually ride an hour or three to get to where my trails start. And crash bars, of course.
Whether it stands up to long-term use is an open question. But it appears that particular reviewer beat the crap out of it, then got it back after other motojournalists beat the crap out of it, and then flogged it some more and didn't experience any problems. That's a very auspicious starting point.
It also looks mean.
Whether it stands up to long-term use is an open question. But it appears that particular reviewer beat the crap out of it, then got it back after other motojournalists beat the crap out of it, and then flogged it some more and didn't experience any problems. That's a very auspicious starting point.
It also looks mean.
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