While Western and Japanese motorcycle manufacturers devote themselves to research and development of electric bikes, hydrogen engines and other technologies that preserve the planet, under the threat of future bans on fossil fuel-powered machines, their emerging rivals in China are focusing on high-performance combustion engines and rapidly closing the performance and technology gap with the established brands. Kove is among these newcomers and, having already launched a 443 cc four-cylinder sports bike, is now adding a simpler streetfighter version to its range.
The Kove 450RR sports bike went into production a year ago, after a rapid development period that saw it launched as a 399cc machine before a last-minute redesign and re-engineering into the final 443cc form with 70 hp at 13,000 rpm, 39.3 Nm of maximum torque and a 16,000 rpm limit.
The new 450R is a streetfighter version of the 450RR, sharing the same four-cylinder engine and tubular steel frame, which alone weighs just 4.5 kg and helps the 450RR reach its average weight of 165 kg. With the fairing removed, the new 450RR is even lighter, coming in at just under 3164 kg on the scales, although its engine is a little out of tune, reducing maximum power to 64.5 hp, according to the Chinese homologation documentation.
While the 450RR is offered in two versions – a base model with a 41 mm inverted fork from Chinese brand Yu-an, along with axial-mount front brakes, or in a higher-spec “Performance” variant with KYB suspension and radial-mount four-piston calipers – the 450RR has so far only been seen with the lower-spec components. As with the 450RR, the brakes are from Chinese manufacturer Taisco (ABS is standard).
Turning a sports bike into a roadster or streetfighter is a logical step, and one that many manufacturers adopt, but it’s worth noting that Kove’s approach went deeper than simply stripping off the fairing. While the frame, engine and suspension are replacement parts, the 450R’s fairing is completely new, including a different fuel tank design that merges smoothly with two large air intakes on either side of the fork. These presumably feed the airbox to compensate for the loss of the 450RR’s nose-mounted air intake, which is supposed to add another 3 hp to the bike’s maximum power at high speed.
The seat is slightly less extreme than the version used on the 450RR, although it’s still far from luxurious for anyone wanting to hitch a ride as a passenger, but the rider is well served with relatively wide, high bars and substantially lower footrests than the 450RR’s competition-oriented configuration. Up front is a small, mask-like front fairing with heavily hooded LED lights and the TFT instrument panel in the same color as the 450RR on top.
There is still no obvious rival for the 450R. Kawasaki has yet to create a Z400 based on its Ninja ZX-4R, so riders looking for a small-capacity streetfighter are limited to two-cylinder or single-cylinder offerings from established companies. Even in China, where there has been an explosion of four-cylinder motorcycles in the last year, most are in the 600cc to 700cc range, rather than competing with Kove in the sub-500cc range.
Although Kove is bringing several models to export markets, it is not yet known whether the 450RR or 450R will be available on our market.
Source:https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-news/kove-450r-first-look/