This New Adventure Motorcycle Is So Shockingly Light, It Puts All Others on Notice

Every product gets a bit easier to sell with a major, simply understood superlative attached.

Think “strongest,” “fastest” or even “cheapest,” each of which can take off with the right positioning.

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So too can “lightest,” which is hugely appealing when it comes to, say, sneakers or a bicycle or, yes, a motorcycle, as shedding weight can boost speed, fuel efficiency and handling. 

Toward that end, I can’t help but get wide-eyed beholding Kove’s new 800X Rally adventure motorcycle, which is almost absurdly light compared to its competitors. 

Alongside the stoke, I can’t help but be a bit skeptical too, however, so let’s take a closer look.

What is gained

So first off, what even is Kove? It is yet another plucky Chinese motorcycle manufacturer joining others such as CFMoto and Benda making in-roads on US shores.

This particular bike is a souped-up version of the 800X Pro, which has a black-and-silver colorway I like much better than the Rally’s stock blue- and yellow-accented options.

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The Pro comes in with a higher wet weight (408 pounds) and less suspension, areas where its pricier bro really stands out.

First off is that weight: it’s 394 pounds, significantly less than pretty much any respectable mid-size adventure bike. The closest is probably Yamaha’s celebrated Ténéré 700, which tips the scales at 459.

The Rally didn’t lose weight by sacrificing power, either. It’s KTM-derived 799cc parallel twin engine makes a respectable 95 hp — and 69 lb-ft of torque — roughly 10hp shy stalwarts like Triumph’s Tiger 900 and BMW’s F900GS. 

The suspension is also no joke. Fully adjustable forks deliver 270mm (over 10.6 inches) up front (30mm more than the Pro), while the separate-reservoir rear shock offers 240 mm (nearly 9.5 inches) and ground clearance is a generous 293mm (more than 11.5 inches).

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Versus the Pro, the Rally also boasts a lower chain guard, higher front fender and several CNC-machined parts, including the handlebar clamps and mounts. 

Lastly, the Rally promises 60 miles per gallon, meaning that with its nearly 5.3-gallon fuel tank, you could be looking at 300-plus miles of range (on a good day, with some wind assistance and some downhills, let’s be honest).

What is lost

No brand can release a bike that’s magically lighter and bouncier without some tradeoffs, and there are a few with the Rally.

First off is the price tag. While Chinese bikes have a rep for being super-affordable, that’s not the case here. The Rally clocks in at $12,999, $2,000 more than the Pro. 

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It’s also significantly more than you might pay for slightly less juiced adventure bikes from more established brands such as Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, all of which offer bikes with 649cc or more of displacement for $11,000 or less. 

The Rally also ditches tubeless-ready wheels, which cuts down on your tire choices. While you can mount up hardcore enduro rubber for gnarly terrain, it’s still a notable turnoff. 

All that ground clearance also raises the seat height up over 35 inches, which may ward off shorter riders, even with the weight savings making things a bit more manageable.

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Another weight-shedding measure is the single Taisko-branded front disc caliper, which Kove put on bikes it sent to the Dakar Rally. 

There are also no pillion footrests or a rear rack on the standard offering, leaving passengers and additional cargo out of the equation.

But hey, those two things would just add weight anyway, right?

Availability and pricing

The 2025 Kove 800X Rally is coming to the USA next month for a base price of $12,999.

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2025 Kove 800X Rally

• Starts at $12,999

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