Published: Today 10:35 a.m.

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Kove Moto, already a prominent name on the global stage, spoke exclusively to MCN to reveal plans to further expand its range, including a high-capacity sports motorcycle, as well as double its dealer network across the United Kingdom.

Founded in 2007 by former professional enduro rider Zhang Xue, the brand now produces several motorcycles for the UK market, including the Yamaha Ténéré 700-equivalent to £8,499 800X Pro adventure bikeand the recently confirmed learner-legal KY125R costs just £3,499.

They also recently revealed a 450RR four-cylinder sports bike, which we’re told could come to the UK next year as a race-only package, and have enjoyed success with their focused 450 Rally – available in a base specification of £8,500, or full. -big £13,500 Pro version.

MCN caught up with Kove at the recent EICMA show in Milan to discuss the future of the brand, including upcoming models, dealer network expansion plans and the burning issue in Chinese motorcycles – durability.

“We have concrete plans for even more engine platforms and new models, from single-cylinder motorcycles to large-capacity four-cylinder sports motorcycles,” said Li Baobao, deputy general manager of R&D, at MCN.

“The specifics (of the latter) are not yet decided exactly, but it will be between 600cc and 800cc, with technology developed from the 450RR,” they continued. “It will definitely be on the market in 2026. It is possible that we will also show it next year, and then they will be ready for customers the following year.

Moving on to reliability, the R&D manager added: “We have introduced longer product testing intervals, which puts our development on par with our Japanese competitors. After the first dynamometer tests, we used to road test two bikes for 30,000 km each.

“This is not enough to satisfy the demand for reliability, which is why we will now increase this number to 10 motorcycles for our road tests during this interval. This will help us resolve any potential issues before they go into production.

Kove’s 800X Pro may have only arrived in the UK this summer, but its bargain prices and Yamaha-rivalling numbers have made a big impression. There are currently five resellers in our market, but we plan to double this figure over the next 12 months.

Outside of road bikes, the brand will also return to the grueling Dakar rally early next year with TT-winning rider James Hillier at the helm – supported by WTF Racing team manager OMG Racing, winner of the 2024 British Superbike title.

“From a Western perspective, what you’re looking at is a fundamentally racing-based brand, with a passion for performance,” added Kove Moto UK’s Lee Westbrook.

“This is where our development and our forward thinking come from,” he continued. “We build bikes first and foremost for enthusiasts – and at a price they can afford, and then we develop them to comply with emissions regulations. This is why some machines are not yet available here, but they will be eventually.

“We are already bombarded with resellers wanting to become official distributors, so we will definitely see an expansion. »