KOVE 450 Rally & 800X Pro: Touratech Suspension Upgrade

With new suspension components, Touratech Suspension is setting its sights on the KOVE 450 Rally and KOVE 800X Pro. Both adventure bikes are focused on lightweight construction and off-road use. Touratech offers model-specific Extreme2 shock absorbers for both. On the KOVE 800X Pro, the internals of the fork can additionally be replaced with an Open Cartridge Kit.

KOVE places a strong emphasis on rally and off-road use across its adventure models. The KOVE 450 Rally combines around 145 kilograms dry weight with rally-style ergonomics and a generous range. The KOVE 800X Pro, on the other hand, relies on a 799cc inline twin producing 95 hp. It is designed for both longer stages and demanding terrain. Touratech sees room for a suspension upgrade on both models. The focus is on riders who push their bikes in demanding on-road and off-road conditions and want to tailor the suspension more precisely to their load, riding style, and riding conditions.

In total, the new range comprises three model-specific suspension components. Both bikes receive an Extreme2 shock absorber each. The Open Cartridge Kit for the fork is available exclusively for the KOVE 800X Pro.

The centrepiece of the new range is the Touratech Suspension Extreme2 shock absorber from the Travel series. A vehicle-specific variant has been developed for both the 450 Rally and the 800X Pro. The current generation works with a 46mm piston. Touratech uses a friction-optimised piston band and a revised guide. This low-friction technology is intended to contribute to more sensitive responsiveness of the shock absorber. The Extreme2 shock absorber features, among other things, a separate reservoir and the system's adjustment elements.

Touratech equips the Extreme2 with a further developed PDS system (Progressive Damping System). This is designed to provide a defined hydraulic end stop and prevent bottoming out under high loads. In addition, the oil reservoir has been enlarged. This is intended to give the damping greater thermal stability even under sustained load. Particularly on longer off-road stages or under heavy use, this design is meant to provide the necessary reserves.

A further focus lies on the adjustment options. The Extreme2 allows the rebound and compression damping to be tuned. On the compression side, the high-speed and low-speed ranges can be set separately. This is intended to allow the shock absorber to be precisely adapted to different requirements in terms of load, riding style, and terrain. The adjustment options are therefore aimed particularly at riders who want to change their setup depending on the specific application – for example when switching between road and off-road, or with varying loads. Touratech also states that the Extreme2 is fully serviceable.

The Extreme2 developed for the KOVE 800X Pro differs from the described base specification in one additional respect: it also features hydraulic preload adjustment. This allows the preload to be adapted to different load conditions. Touratech specifically cites varying loads as the key use case here. On an adventure bike in particular, the load can vary considerably depending on the application – for example between solo riding and touring with luggage.

While only a new shock absorber is offered for the KOVE 450 Rally, Touratech goes a step further with the KOVE 800X Pro. For this model, the Touratech Suspension Open Cartridge Kit is also available. This replaces the stock internals of the fork. This means that in addition to the rear shock absorber, the front fork can also be equipped with a Touratech component. The Open Cartridge Kit is adjustable for preload as well as rebound and compression damping. Touratech promises improved damping characteristics, sensitive responsiveness, high durability, and greater resistance to bottoming out during hard off-road use. These performance claims should be understood as manufacturer statements. Like the Extreme2 shock absorber, the cartridge system is also fully serviceable.

For the KOVE 800X Pro, this creates the possibility of equipping both the fork and the shock absorber with Touratech Suspension components. The Extreme2 shock absorber costs 1,899 euros, while the Open Cartridge Kit is listed at 1,299 euros. Both components are intended for the KOVE 800X Pro from model year 2025 onwards. Touratech is therefore not offering a single universal solution, but two separate components for the front and rear suspension. For the KOVE 450 Rally, the range is more compact: for the model from 2024 onwards, the Extreme2 shock absorber with part number 058-5850 is available for 1,299 euros.

The extensive adjustment options form a central part of the new Touratech range. On adventure bikes, the demands placed on the suspension can vary considerably depending on the rider, luggage, terrain, and application. On the Extreme2, the rebound and compression are designed to be adjusted accordingly, with the compression damping additionally able to distinguish between high-speed and low-speed. On the 800X Pro, hydraulic preload adjustment is added to the mix. The Open Cartridge Kit extends these adjustment options to the front axle of the KOVE 800X Pro. There too, preload, rebound, and compression can all be tuned. The new range is therefore aimed primarily at riders who want more adjustment options than the stock setup provides and who want to fine-tune the suspension to suit different riding conditions.

With the new suspension components, Touratech adds three products to its portfolio for two KOVE adventure bikes. The 450 Rally from model year 2024 onwards receives an Extreme2 shock absorber for 1,299 euros. For the 800X Pro from model year 2025 onwards, the Extreme2 shock absorber is available for 1,899 euros and the Open Cartridge Kit for 1,299 euros. The Extreme2 centres on the 46mm piston, the further developed PDS system, and the extensive adjustment options. The KOVE 800X Pro additionally receives hydraulic preload adjustment. With the Open Cartridge Kit, the fork on this model can also be upgraded. Further information on the suspension components for KOVE is available directly in the Touratech web shop.