China has its first powerful motocross bike: the Kove MX450

NAfter a few half-hearted attempts—if you remember the Shineray brand—China finally managed to build a full-fledged motocross bike: the Kove MX450. The company was only founded in 2017 and made a name for itself through the Dakar Rally.

Kove has been competing in the Dakar Rally for several years now, and not without success. Because 450cc single-cylinder bikes are mandatory, it was only a matter of time before they launched their first motocross bike. In the recent Dakar Rally, Kove finished fifteenth overall.

Our American colleagues at Dirtbike Mag were given a prototype earlier this year, equipped with a rally bike engine, and it didn't quite fit the motocross mold. Later, they installed a modified engine with gearing and mapping geared towards motocross, and that worked perfectly.

The test rider is giving the MX450 a good run and is impressed with its handling, power, and build quality. We'll have to wait a while for the first production models, but we suspect they'll be available at Belgian dealerships in early 2026. And yes, they already are, as Belgium now boasts four Kove dealerships. The price isn't yet clear, but in the US, a target price of around $8000 is being reported.

Tekst: Danny Hermans
Images: Dirtbike Magazine and Kove Racing