China’s Kove 800 X Pro promises European quality at a lower price. Stefan Boshoff took it on a 600 km test through the Free State to find out if it can handle South Africa’s demanding roads and trails.
When I heard about the Chinese-made Kove motorcycles arriving in Bloemfontein, I jumped at the chance to test them. Two demo bikes were available: a Kove 450 Rally Factory edition and a Kove 800 X Pro. I opted for the 800, curious to see what this adventure bike had to offer on an extended, multi-surface rideout.
First impressions
While Kove bikes have been available in South Africa for several months, they haven’t yet achieved widespread recognition in the medium adventure bike segment. However, after spending time with the 800 X Pro, I can confidently say there’s no reason these bikes shouldn’t be dominating our countryside.
The Kove 800 X Pro shatters expectations of Chinese motorcycles. Gone are the rough edges and compromised quality that marked earlier Chinese bikes in South Africa.
Built solid
The fit, finish, and overall appearance of the Kove 800 X Pro rivals those of European and British machines and it’s only the badge that reveals its origin. It’s clear Kove understands they’re entering a highly competitive market where half-measures won’t cut it. The bike feels solid, with no rattles or unwanted movement detected.
The frame and subframe are one-piece aluminum castings, which raises a practical concern. Aluminum isn’t the easiest material to weld if repairs are needed in remote locations. While this follows the industry trend of weight reduction, I hope the fatigue engineering was done by someone familiar with Lesotho’s demanding terrain.
A practical touch is the bolt-on sump, which makes repairs much more manageable if damaged.
Engine and performance
The twin-cylinder, 799 cc engine, which makes 71 kW at 9 000 rpm and 80 Nm at 7 500 rpm, is a genuine highlight. Responsive and lively, it sports a parallel twin with identical bore, stroke, and horsepower specs to the KTM 790 – suggesting shared DNA in their family trees.
I kept it in SPORT mode throughout the test, simply moderating throttle input when needed rather than constantly switching modes.
Fuel consumption
The cruising sweet spot lies between the torque and horsepower peaks, putting you comfortably at 140-160 km/h. Fuel efficiency is respectable, so you can expect 300+ kilometres from the 20-litre tank when staying near legal speeds.
However, push harder and consumption jumps to 7ℓ/100km, reducing the distance-to-empty to about 200 km. We saw the same happen with the BMW F 900 GS. These medium-sized machines can lift their slippers on demand, but they get quite thirsty at the high end. The 800 X Pro, which Kove says can reach 210 km/h, is no exception.
Suspension and handling
The KYB suspension setup claims 240/210 mm travel with 275 mm ground clearance and a wet weight of 183 kg. While I only adjusted rear preload for levelling, there’s clearly room for fine-tuning. The stock settings handled rutted and rain-damaged roads in the Eastern Free State admirably, though they could be softer on tarmac.
Initially cautious around obstacles, I quickly gained confidence in the suspension’s capabilities.
Soon enough I was tackling potholes and exposed concrete pipes with increasing speed, and the bike handled everything with aplomb.
Each successful landing widened my smile, and I found myself adding another 100 km of gravel just for the pure enjoyment. With some suspension tuning, this could become an extremely entertaining ride.
Tech and comfort
The essentials are all present – ABS and Traction Control can be permanently enabled/disabled or set to reset after restart, an they’re all managed through two simple toggle switches. The TFT colour display is clear and easy to read.
Some luxury features appear to be missing, including self-cancelling indicators, multiple trip meters, fuel range, and ambient temperature displays. I admittedly didn’t spend much time diving into the menus, so ask the dealer to reveal orexlain the settings to you.
Keep it cool
One notable quirk: engine temperature rises rapidly when idling, even with the fan running. While it quickly cools once moving, this could be concerning in technical terrain with heavy clutch use.
While this heating characteristic isn’t unique to the Kove, it’s best to switch off the engine during extended stops. And if you encounter roadworks with stop/go controls? There’s always room for a bike to squeeze through.
Wheels, brakes, cargo
The tubeless wheels proved impressively robust – no loose spokes or deformation, thanks to both suspension performance and rim strength. The bike rolls on Pirelli rubber: a 90/90-21 up front and a 150/70-18 at the rear, a proven combination for mixed-terrain riding.
The Kove comes equipped with satisfying stopping power: dual discs up front with opposed 4-piston callipers, complemented by a single disc and single-piston calliper at the rear, both with ABS.
The manufacturer’s 5 kg carrier limit is conservative. (A female Vervet monkey weighs more than that.) I’m happy to report that my 7 kg tool bag, strapped to the carrier, caused no problems.
Value proposition
Price-wise, the Kove 800 X Pro makes a compelling case. If the ownership experience and dealer support proves solid, this bike offers premium adventure capabilities at a discount compared to established brands.
The individuals behind the South African distribution, including Nelus Bantjes and Clinton Pienaar, have strong track records in the industry.
Verdict and price
After 600 kilometers including both tar and challenging gravel, the Kove 800 X Pro thoroughly impressed. It delivers the same thrills and capabilities as machines costing twice as much.
While some might be skeptical of Chinese motorcycles, this bike suggests the Great Wall is indeed falling and the riding experience is thoroughly enjoyable.
For those interested in seeing for themselves, contact Nelus or Jacques at Safari 4×4 in Bloemfontein, or Clinton at The Bike Shed in Cape Town. More information and other dealer detail is available on the Kove South Africa website.
The Kove 800 X Pro costs R210 000 and scores 4 out of 5.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
