[AMCN] Kove 625X Revealed

New adventure twin emerges as Kove confirms Australian market plans

Kove is one of the growing number of convincing Chinese motorcycle brands with a range of models to compete with major Japanese and European bike makers – now it plans to enter the Australian market by the end of this year. The news comes as another intriguing new model has just been type-approved in China.

At the moment, Kove’s model line-up in China spreads across five model ranges. In the Adventure sector it offers a trio of parallel twin machines – the 498cc, 35kW (50hp) 510X and the slightly 525X, which actually has a fractionally smaller 494cc twin with 39.6kW (53hp), plus the much more appealing 800X with a 71kW (95hp), 799cc twin that’s essentially a clone of KTM’s LC8c motor. Then there’s the ‘Rally’ segment, which includes two single-cylinder 450 Rally models and the 800X Rally, a more hardcore version of the 800X. Kove’s naked streetbike range includes the four-cylinder, 48kW (65hp) 450R and the parallel twin 321R, which has a 322cc engine that’s closely patterned on the Yamaha’s R3 and MT-03 twin. The company’s offroad range includes the MX250 and MX450 motorcross bikes, and its sport line-up features a 321RR and 450RR – each mechanically similar to the naked ‘R’ models with the same numbers – as well as a 250RR and 350RR, also using twin-cylinder engines.

In export markets, Kove has focused largely on its adventure, rally and offroad competition machines, which gives a clue as to which models are likely to reach the Australian market. Initially the company intends to bring its motocross machines here, by the end of 2025, with street bikes following in 2026.

The new 625X was first shown to dealers in China earlier this year, but has now been type-approved, giving us the first look at its specs and a photo of the finished, production-ready model.  It packs a 580cc parallel twin engine that’s similar in design to the unit used in the Loncin-made Voge DS625X, a direct competitor with the new Kove. Max power is listed at 47kW 963hp), while wet weight is quoted at 229kg – although that appears to be with luggage fitted.

The styling is aligned with that used on the 800X, including tubeless wire wheels, an upside down fork and Taisko brakes gripping petal-style discs.

ben purvis

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