By Michael Guy Published: Yesterday 17:18
The Kove 800X Rally is an adventure bike with its priorities set firmly on dirt, not touring. In a world of 230kg plus, electronics-heavy ‘do everything’ ADVs, the Rally’s defining feature is how little it feels the moment you get it off the sidestand. It is an engaging, aggressive machine with a proper off-road riding position and a playful chassis that encourages you to attack trails rather than tiptoe through them.
Reasons to buy: + Seriously light and agile + Strong chassis and impressive suspension performance off-road + Simple spec that will suit purists – switchable ABS, no traction control, easy-to-use TFT, plus keen pricing for the kit
Reasons to avoid: – Snatchy low-speed fuelling in standard form – may need paid-for fixes (parts and dyno time) to fully sort – Comfort and practicality compromises – One worrying reliability blip – rear shock seal failure while parked (fixed under warranty, but noteworthy)
The 799cc parallel twin is the Rally’s partner in crime. It feels lively and purposeful from the first hit of the starter, with the kind of character that makes the bike feel like it means business on the lanes and trails.
In standard form the main gripe is at the very bottom of the throttle – picking the revs up from closed can feel abrupt, and holding a constant throttle around 3000-4000rpm was a frustration in real-world riding. That matters more off-road than on it, because you want a clean, predictable drive when you are balancing traction and body position.
The Rally uses cable throttles rather than ride-by-wire, which limits the easy electronic fixes you might expect on newer ADVs. Our long-term bike saw a fairly comprehensive aftermarket attempt to sort it properly, using a Rapid Bike Evo2 module, high-flow air filter and HP Corse exhaust, followed by dyno time and a custom map. The result was a noticeably smoother connection at small openings and a stronger, more flexible feel, but the total bill was significant.
Long-term fix for fuelling If you are sensitive to snappy responses, budget for change. With the fuelling work done, the Kove felt impressively smooth on the road with more torque and a much nicer throttle connection, turning what was a constant niggle into something you stop thinking about.
This is where the Kove 800X Rally makes its strongest case. The chassis and riding position are clearly built for riders who really want to ride off-road, rather than just pose next to a café in adventure boots.
From Salisbury Plain trails to faster open sections, the Rally feels well balanced, agile and confidence-inspiring. It is the kind of bike that can make you grin within the first few miles because it feels light, responsive and eager to change direction. It also surprised us with how well it coped with bigger hits and even the odd jump on standard suspension settings – the landings were controlled rather than crashing through the stroke.
A day riding with TT winner and Dakar finisher James Hillier underlined the point. His reaction to the 800X Rally was that it felt more like a big enduro bike than a soft, heavy adventure machine, which is high praise given his background.
The suspension impressed throughout our time with the bike for its control and composure off-road. However, we did experience a sudden rear shock seal failure that emptied the shock oil onto the garage floor while the bike was stationary, leaving the rear end with no damping. Kove UK replaced…