Kove 450 Rally vs Kove 800x Rally

[icedfusion]

I am looking at getting a bike for the TET's and I am very impressed by the Kove 450 Rally, however, the 800x Rally is getting rave reviews too - whilst one is a single and the other a twin, why would you opt for the 800x Rally for TET work over the 450 rally? Is it more comfortable for distance road work? Knowing what TET's are like in the UK, large adv bikes would be a handful, but what about over in the EU, are TET's more like fire roads?

Currently, I am leaning towards the 450 as I am 6ft6' tall and the 450 is a taller bike, but looking at the seat on the 450 its like a razor on the arse for long distance!

 

[Eastmidsbiker]

450 all day long, especially if you will be on your own. I dont have experience of European TET so someone else may know more, but I do know someone who had to get a farmer to extract his Africa Twin from the mud in France.

 

[Davey B]

From what I have seen, the TET in europe is a huge mix of trail types. For me...with my very low level of skill I'd be on something light..but if you're more of a trail riding god...or somewhere in bewteen, I'd suspect the 450 will be the better bet (unless you plan on lots of road miles between bits of the TET?) The TET comes close to where I am in France, never seen anyone on a big Adv bike, lots of 250-450 singles tho

 

[EVskiy]

I am looking at getting a bike for the TET's and I am very impressed by the Kove 450 Rally, however, the 800x Rally is getting rave reviews too - whilst one is a single and the other a twin, why would you opt for the 800x Rally for TET work over the 450 rally? Is it more comfortable for distance road work? Knowing what TET's are like in the UK, large adv bikes would be a handful, but what about over in the EU, are TET's more like fire roads?

Currently, I am leaning towards the 450 as I am 6ft6' tall and the 450 is a taller bike, but looking at the seat on the 450 its like a razor on the arse for long distance!

A few lads on here have 450 variant, those being @Tetley, @tuftywhite, @Skid06.
I know that Skid has been away to France and Spain on his a few times now.

However, having met you and seen the size of you (not saying that you fat by the way), I can’t help but to think of this situation that @Arsey and I found ourselves in a coupe of years ago.





You most likely will look tiny on a 450.

 

[Davey B]

You most likely will look tiny on a 450.

Would that actually matter if it was the best bike for the job ? I recently watched Dave Knight preparing for a beach race on some new fangled Ducati enduro bike. The man is big...6ft 4 and the bike did look a tad small under him...but it mattered not as the bike was properly dialled in for him.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Would that actually matter if it was the best bike for the job ? I recently watched Dave Knight preparing for a beach race on some new fangled Ducati enduro bike. The man is big...6ft 4 and the bike did look a tad small under him...but it mattered not as the bike was properly dialled in for him.

Knighter is in another league though

I have watched him race this year and he’s an animal on a dirt bike

 

[EVskiy]

Would that actually matter if it was the best bike for the job ? I recently watched Dave Knight preparing for a beach race on some new fangled Ducati enduro bike. The man is big...6ft 4 and the bike did look a tad small under him...but it mattered not as the bike was properly dialled in for him.

What does BEEB tread post do over here then?

As for bike being dialled in, you are correct. I was only observing from a comical point of view. As with any bike, one is better off having a go on one, in order to verify if it is suitable or not.

 

[Davey B]

Knighter is in another league though

I have watched him race this year and he’s an animal on a dirt bike

Yes, I've seen him many times...that's not the point....the point was whether you look daft on a bike (and in whose eyes). You are a big chap, you'll look right on the GSA, perhaps less so on the XR400...but you'd not take the GSA with TKC80s doen many of the trail you take the XR400. The thread is about best bike for the job.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

You are a big chap, you'll look right on the GSA, perhaps less so on the XR400...but you'd not take the GSA with TKC80s doen many of the trail you take the XR400. The thread is about best bike for the job.

I will let you decide ……

On the XR400R & KTM 350 EXC

 

[Davey B]

Needs a side view...to see how the bay window sits on the bike.....

 

[ktmman]

Just back from Spanish TET , northern Spain Pyrenees. Unless you are a hero , a small trailie is best imo. We were on crf250 /300L , maybe a bit slow if you want to hang the arse out , otherwise superb for 99% of trails.
We got stuck in some muddy ruts , and even 150kg was bloody heavy to extract . Pure enduro bikes may be fun if you are super fit and dont mind the fuel range.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Needs a side view...to see how the bay window sits on the bike.....

Cheeky fecker

Suspension has been re-sprung for my size, naturally ................and the KTM just eats up all the bumps, suspension is stunning on that bike

 

[ChasF]

The Kove 800x Rally is quite light for an 800 and would, no doubt, be better on the road but the seat looks much the same as the 450. The 450 seems to be as good as it gets for this sort of trip certainly better on the road than an underpowered CRF 300 (IMO)

 

[The Other PaulG]

I believe you can pick up parts of the TET very close to the French ferry terminals. If that's your plan (and not riding 600km before you hit the trails), go for the smaller bike.

 

[tuftywhite]

Hi Mr Fusion.

Happy if you want to arrange a telephone call to discuss.

I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable the Kove 450 was on long distance road riding. I spent 3 full days on the road and didn't get any saddle issues. Also, the bike, despite changing the gearing, didn't feel underpowered, considering the engine size.

As for green lane/TET work. Speak so someone who's made the appropriate modifications (unless you're an off-road god) which will make the bike easier to ride on the nadgery stuff. The bike's not bad for a single. Perhaps someone else will share their experiences.

 

[Mad Hatter]

I'm 6'4" and I find the crf250/300l's just too small for me. The BMW R80GS special I built was a better fit and more than capable of the TET routes, but you need to spend a lot of money to make one that performs and is reliable. I've had an XR400 with suspension set up for my weight and that was great but 99% of those out there are well and truly worn out now. Currently I have a 2023 EXC350F for trail riding. It has significantly uprated springs to deal with my weight and it fits really well. Doesn't look small now the springs don't collapse. It has the rally raid fairing too which helps. It also has a cush drive rear hub. It's great on the trails because it will rip AND lug but the power isn't enough to spit you off. It's much more fun than a CRF. The problem with it though is that it needs a lot of oil changes. When I change it I will get an AJP PR7. Bigger 650 motor, decent service intervals, comfy seat, fairing, decent suspension (will need springs again), lightweight. I liked the look of the new 450GS but I think it's been sized for short arses and it'll be heavyish as a twin. Light is definitely the way to go for trails. I've also had a KTM 690 enduro which I used to rally, it was great for that but I found it tiring to ride (combination of mediocre suspension, weight and engine power)

 

[ktmman]

All depends what you want to from the Tet trip. Yes I agree 300l is low on power, no power wheelies, no rear end slides but it's economical, fast enough on road between sections and light enough to pick up. Admittedly mines has a few mods. A 450 with 40 plus hp would definitely get more fun.
Like everything, it's a compromise.
Power and weight... 500 exc.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I'm 6'4" . Currently I have a 2023 EXC350F for trail riding. It has significantly uprated springs to deal with my weight and it fits really well. Doesn't look small now the springs don't collapse. It has the rally raid fairing too which helps. It also has a cush drive rear hub. It's great on the trails because it will rip AND lug but the power isn't enough to spit you off.The problem with it though is that it needs a lot of oil changes.

Only had my 2013 350 EXC-F (bought it with low miles and in amazing condition) for 18 months - but like it

2-3 weeks ago we did 500+ miles in 3 days (most I have done consecutively) and it went like a dream, plenty of power and lug value too

On 14/52 gearing it was fine on the trails & roadwork, would spin up to 70 for short bursts and cruise at 60

Where it does come into its own, is on the trails where it is scalpel sharp (open cartridge front suspension has been reworked and revalved, plus front & rear springs for my weight ….by Eurotek KTM)

It’s really good and puts most jap stuff into the shade

On return from the 3 day jaunt, I changed the oil and previously it had done a 2 day weekend-so 2+3 days = 5 days, 20+ hours and some 700 miles since the previous oil change - nothing on the screen or magnetic drain plug

Literally it takes 20-30 mins max, warm up bike and take off bashplate, drain oil and clean 1 screen and change paper oil filter cartridge, put 1.2l back in and re fit bash plate - one of the easiest dirt bikes I have had to change oil

So not too bad at all (very similar to my XR400 in terms of oil change regularity)

Worth it for the extra performance

People do the TET on 350EXC and most certainly the 500 EXC

Me - I would buy a 2013-2016 500 EXC-F for the TET if I came across a good one (mint one just sold on KTM UK forum for about £3600 for a 2015 500 with just 1500 miles and in excellent condition)

 

[PitaNaanRoti]

I'm 6'4" and I find the crf250/300l's just too small for me. The BMW R80GS special I built was a better fit and more than capable of the TET routes, but you need to spend a lot of money to make one that performs and is reliable. I've had an XR400 with suspension set up for my weight and that was great but 99% of those out there are well and truly worn out now. Currently I have a 2023 EXC350F for trail riding. It has significantly uprated springs to deal with my weight and it fits really well. Doesn't look small now the springs don't collapse. It has the rally raid fairing too which helps. It also has a cush drive rear hub. It's great on the trails because it will rip AND lug but the power isn't enough to spit you off. It's much more fun than a CRF. The problem with it though is that it needs a lot of oil changes. When I change it I will get an AJP PR7. Bigger 650 motor, decent service intervals, comfy seat, fairing, decent suspension (will need springs again), lightweight. I liked the look of the new 450GS but I think it's been sized for short arses and it'll be heavyish as a twin. Light is definitely the way to go for trails. I've also had a KTM 690 enduro which I used to rally, it was great for that but I found it tiring to ride (combination of mediocre suspension, weight and engine power)

Going to disagree with you massively over them needing A LOT of oil changes.
Unless you are doing them according to the factory manual which is set assuming it’s being raced(and KTM/HQ covering their arse) Which on TET/green laning if isn’t.
You can easily double or triple the change frequency - remember you aren’t on the limiter constantly like a race bike so the engine is miles away from the stress points.
My EXC-f 500 has nearly 400 hrs(of which I’ve added 300+) and it’s changed between 20-30 depending on conditions/distamces/type of ride.
Oil has always been clean and free of anything.

 

[icedfusion]

I think the general consensus is for the lighter of the two bikes that I mentioned, lots of alternatives mentioned and I had considered the AJP PR7 - however, i still have an XR650R (turned it into a supermoto but could easily chnage it back again), I have 525 EXC 2005 which I could spend oodles of cash on to make it more adv but as pointed out, needs quite regular oil changes (I used to change it after every weekend rideout on it) - knowing what alot of TET's are like in the UK, the 450 rally is the bike I would go for - I was just a little concerned about road work if I go to spain on the ferry and do the spanish/portugal TET's. However, I think that for 80% of the time, the 450 is the bike to go for (I will get the seat modded).

Hi Mr Fusion.

Happy if you want to arrange a telephone call to discuss.

I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable the Kove 450 was on long distance road riding. I spent 3 full days on the road and didn't get any saddle issues. Also, the bike, despite changing the gearing, didn't feel underpowered, considering the engine size.

As for green lane/TET work. Speak so someone who's made the appropriate modifications (unless you're an off-road god) which will make the bike easier to ride on the nadgery stuff. The bike's not bad for a single. Perhaps someone else will share their experiences.

If you dm me your number, I would very much like to have a chat with you on your experience of your bike.

Cheers