KOVE 450 Rally & 800X Pro: Touratech Suspension Upgrade

With new suspension components, Touratech Suspension targets the KOVE 450 Rally and KOVE 800X Pro. Both adventure bikes are designed for lightweight and off-road performance. Touratech offers model-specific Extreme2 shocks for this purpose. Additionally, the KOVE 800X Pro can have its fork internals replaced with an Open Cartridge Kit.

KOVE's adventure models are heavily geared towards rally and off-road use. The KOVE 450 Rally combines a weight of around 145 kilograms with rally-style ergonomics and extensive range. In contrast, the KOVE 800X Pro boasts a 799cc parallel-twin engine delivering 95 horsepower, designed for both long distances and challenging terrains. Touratech identifies potential for suspension upgrades in both models, catering to riders who push their bikes in demanding on-road and off-road environments and wish to tailor the suspension to better suit load, riding style, and conditions.

The new lineup includes three model-specific suspension components. Both bikes are equipped with an Extreme2 shock. Additionally, the KOVE 800X Pro exclusively features an Open Cartridge Kit for the fork.

The centerpiece of the new offering is the Touratech Suspension Extreme2 shock from the Travel series. Vehicle-specific versions have been developed for both the 450 Rally and the 800X Pro. The current generation features a 46mm piston. Touratech uses a friction-optimized piston band and an improved guide. This low-friction technology aims to provide a more responsive shock absorber. The Extreme2 shock also features a separate reservoir and the system's adjustment elements.

Touratech equips the Extreme2 with an enhanced PDS (Progressive Damping System). This system is designed to provide a defined hydraulic end stop and prevent bottoming out under heavy loads. Additionally, the oil reservoir has been enlarged, which aims to achieve greater thermal stability of the damping during prolonged use. This construction is intended to offer the necessary reserves, especially during long off-road stretches or under high stress.

A key highlight is the extensive adjustability. The Extreme2 allows for the adjustment of rebound and compression damping. The compression can be separately adjusted for high-speed and low-speed settings. This enables the shock absorber to be precisely tuned to different demands relating to load, riding style, and terrain. These adjustment options are particularly aimed at riders who wish to alter their setup based on usage—such as switching between road and off-road or varying loads. Touratech also states that the Extreme2 is fully serviceable.

The Extreme2 developed for the KOVE 800X Pro differs in another aspect from the standard configuration: it additionally features a hydraulic preload adjustment. This allows the preload to be adapted to varying load conditions. Touratech specifically mentions changing loads as a use case. Especially for an adventure bike, the load can vary significantly depending on use—such as between solo rides and touring with luggage.

While the KOVE 450 Rally is offered solely with a new shock, Touratech takes it a step further with the KOVE 800X Pro. It also offers the Touratech Suspension Open Cartridge Kit. This kit replaces the standard internals of the telescopic fork, allowing the front fork to be equipped with a Touratech component in addition to the rear shock. The Open Cartridge Kit is adjustable in preload as well as rebound and compression damping. Touratech promises improved damping characteristics, responsive handling, high durability, and increased bottoming resistance in harsh off-road conditions. These performance claims are to be understood as manufacturer statements. Like the Extreme2 shock, the cartridge system is also fully serviceable.

This allows the KOVE 800X Pro to be equipped with Touratech suspension components for both the fork and the shock. The Extreme2 shock is priced at 1,899 Euros, while the Open Cartridge Kit is listed at 1,299 Euros. Both components are intended for the KOVE 800X Pro starting from the 2025 model year. Touratech thus offers not a single universal solution, but two separate components for the front and rear suspension. The offer for the KOVE 450 Rally is more compact: the model from the 2024 production year can be equipped with the Extreme2 shock, part number 058-5850, for 1,299 Euros.

The extensive adjustability options are a central feature of the new Touratech offering. In adventure bikes, suspension demands can vary significantly depending on the rider, luggage, terrain, and usage. The Extreme2 allows for adjustments in rebound and compression, with the compression damping further differentiated into high-speed and low-speed settings. The 800X Pro also features hydraulic preload adjustment. The Open Cartridge Kit extends these adjustment capabilities to the front end of the KOVE 800X Pro, allowing for adjustments in preload, rebound, and compression as well. This new offering is aimed at riders seeking more adjustability than the standard setup provides, allowing them to fine-tune the suspension to different conditions.

With the new suspension components, Touratech expands its portfolio with three products for two KOVE adventure bikes. The 450 Rally from the 2024 model year receives an Extreme2 shock for 1,299 Euros. For the 800X Pro from the 2025 model year, the Extreme2 shock is available for 1,899 Euros, and the Open Cartridge Kit for 1,299 Euros. The Extreme2 highlights include the 46mm piston, the enhanced PDS system, and extensive adjustability options. The KOVE 800X Pro additionally features a hydraulic preload adjustment. The Open Cartridge Kit also allows the fork of this model to be upgraded. More information about the suspension components for KOVE can be found directly in the Touratech Webshop.