KOVE EICMA newcomers: 650RR, entry-level rally and electric

At EICMA, KOVE shows just how broad the next expansion of its model range is set to be. Alongside the existing 450 RALLY and 800X series, small rally bikes, a new four-cylinder sportbike and electric drivetrains take the spotlight. According to KOVE, development is done in-house and draws on experience from the Dakar and circuit racing. That thread runs through all the newcomers, from the chassis of the BONIC to the planned race version of the 650RR.

The smallest newcomer uses a wheel combination also found on the larger 350 RALLY: 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear. KOVE quotes a dry weight of 122 kg for the 125 RALLY. The manufacturer is thus putting an easy, lightweight entry into adventure riding front and centre. Important for putting this figure into context: it is the dry weight, so the bike is not yet fully fuelled and ready to ride when it goes on the scales. Either way, the small displacements get big wheels to go with them.

The 350 RALLY draws on the development experience gained with the 450 RALLY. According to KOVE, its 349.9 cc single delivers 30 kW, around 41 hp, and 33.7 Nm of torque. Two balancer shafts are designed to reduce vibrations on longer stages, while dry-sump lubrication is intended for demanding off-road use. The tank holds 21 litres. KOVE combines this with a two-up seat and folding pillion footpegs. So the rally focus explicitly includes everyday use and riding together.

A high-strength steel bridge frame and an aluminium swingarm form the basis. Up front there is adjustable damping and 250 mm of suspension travel, at the rear it is 230 mm. Ground clearance is 260 mm. Together with the 21- and 18-inch wheels, this makes for a package clearly geared towards unpaved tracks. On the electronics side, KOVE lists Off-Road, Sport and Eco modes, dual-channel ABS and a portrait-mounted 6.75-inch TFT. The manufacturer thus positions the 350 between daily use and longer adventures.

The 650RR heads in a different direction. The all-new inline four displaces 645 cc and features electronic throttle control. According to the manufacturer, peak power is 80 kW, around 109 hp, at 13,000 rpm, with maximum torque of 60 Nm at 11,000 rpm. These rpm figures show where KOVE places the performance: high up in the rev range. Add to that a high-strength bridge frame and an aluminium subframe. The electronics package includes a six-axis IMU, a bidirectional quickshifter and cornering ABS.

The electric BONIC stands out from the get-go thanks to its construction. Its structure, inspired by bird bones, gets its skeletal shape through parametric optimisation. KOVE aims to balance strength, weight and handling this way. According to the documents, the design has won an iF DESIGN AWARD. Experience from Dakar development is set to feed into suspension setup, structural stiffness, brakes and tyres. The focus is on control and feedback on loose surfaces, and the BONIC is intended for off-road excursions and recreational off-road riding.

The in-house developed axial flux drive has a flat design and offers several riding modes. When it comes to performance data, KOVE explicitly speaks of development targets: more than 25 kW, i.e. around 34 hp, a range of over 80 miles or around 129 km, and less than 2.3 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 60 mph, which converts to just under 97 km/h. These figures describe the targeted development status. The acceleration figure therefore refers to 60 mph, not to a sprint to 100 km/h.

The E-500RR also uses an in-house developed axial flux motor, liquid-cooled in this case. KOVE is targeting more than 50 kW, around 68 hp, with a vehicle weight of under 150 kg. These are also development targets. The flat motor design is intended to enable a compact, lightweight construction. Add to that a USD fork, a hydraulically damped monoshock and a chassis tuned for race track use. Angular fairing panels and a low, sporty silhouette underline the focus on the race track and sporty riding.

For braking, KOVE relies on a 320 mm disc at the front, a 220 mm disc at the rear and dual-channel ABS. Sport tyres are fitted to 17-inch wheels. A high-voltage system built to automotive standards powers the drivetrain, while Sport and ECO modes offer different operating strategies for performance and efficiency. According to the manufacturer, the suspension setup and structural stiffness are tailored to the characteristics of the electric motor. Thanks to the electric drive, the vehicle produces no exhaust emissions.

Alongside the bikes, KOVE is developing its own electronic clutch. The KOVE Electronic Clutch, KEC for short, uses sensor data to control engagement and disengagement. Three operating modes are planned: Manual, Automatic and Automated Manual. The roadmap names the second half of 2027 for the launch of the three new combustion models 125 RALLY, 350 RALLY and 650RR. According to this plan, the electronic clutch follows in the first half of 2028. These are the time windows KOVE has set out.

KOVE links the newcomers to its racing programme. On its Dakar debut in 2023, all three bikes reached the finish, and in 2025 factory rider Beñat Fernández won the WorldSSP300 title. For 2026, the manufacturer cites 20 points and a race lap record at Assen with the 450RR, which KOVE describes as the smallest-displacement bike in WorldSPB. On top of that come three Dakar Rally2 stage wins by Neels Theric. This experience and the race data gathered are set to feed into series production development.

For the planned WorldSPB campaign of the 650RR in 2027, European champion Iker García and WorldSPB race winner Antonio Torres join the team. In rally racing, French enduro champion Hugo Blanjoue reinforces the squad around Neels Theric and Sunier. The expansion of the model range thus runs in parallel with the growth of the racing programme.

Which five new bikes is KOVE presenting? The 125 RALLY, the 350 RALLY and the 650RR, plus the two electric bikes BONIC and E-500RR.

What sets the two small rally models apart? Both roll on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels. For the 125 RALLY, KOVE quotes a dry weight of 122 kg. The 350 RALLY offers a 349.9 cc single with 30 kW and 33.7 Nm, a 21-litre tank and two balancer shafts.

How much power does the KOVE 650RR have? According to KOVE, the new 645 cc inline four delivers 80 kW, around 109 hp, at 13,000 rpm and 60 Nm at 11,000 rpm.

Are the performance figures of the electric models already production specifications? KOVE describes more than 25 kW for the BONIC, as well as more than 50 kW and under 150 kg for the E-500RR, as development targets. The BONIC's range and acceleration are also target values.

When are the new combustion models and the KEC planned? The roadmap schedules the three combustion models for the second half of 2027. The electronic clutch is planned for the first half of 2028.