Chinese manufacturer KOVE will launch a full-scale motocrosser, the MX250, in the Japanese market in August. This machine, which has a water-cooled DOHC single-cylinder engine that produces 40.8 PS, is attracting attention for its competitive price of PHP294018.97 including tax.
KOVE
MX250
$5292.21
Chinese KOVE motocross bike makes its Japanese debut
It was recently announced that the Chinese motorcycle manufacturer KOVE's full-scale motocross bike "MX250" will be released in Japan in August this year. According to the official importer Baton Bikes, the price including tax is 768,000 yen. Reservations for the August arrival lot will be accepted until May 18th.
The MX250 is KOVE's second generation (GEN2) motocross bike, and is equipped with a completely revamped engine. The water-cooled 4-stroke DOHC single-cylinder 249.9cc engine delivers a maximum output of 40.8PS/12,000rpm. Combined with the lightweight body of 101kg, it achieves high maneuverability.
The body is made of a double cradle frame and aluminum subframe made of high-strength steel. The suspension features a stroke of 310mm in the front and 117mm in the rear, and the inner tube of the front fork is DLC coated to improve operation.
KOVE has also announced that it will develop an enduro racer based on the MX250, the MX250/350 Enduro, and a rally machine, the 250/350 RALLY, which are scheduled for release in 2026.
Editor-in-chief Inagaki's viewpoint: "The arrival of KOVE may change the Japanese off-road market"
The recently announced KOVE MX250 engine is slightly more modest at 40.8PS/12,000rpm compared to the KTM 250 SX-F's nominal 47hp (14,000rpm). It seems that it will be a while before it performs well in the top category, but we hope that it will be easy to handle for beginners and intermediate riders. The engine is said to be a new design, but from observing the photo of the crankcase, we can see that it follows the basic design philosophy of modern motocrossers, such as the "downdraft" that motorcycle manufacturers have been working on since the 2010s.
The suspension of the KOVE 800X Rally, which I test rode the other day, looks very similar to the MX250, and despite its weight of over 170kg, it did not bottom out even when jumping and its movement was smooth.
Considering that it is nearly PHP76567.44 cheaper than domestic motocrossers, there is a good chance that it will have an impact on the Japanese market. Not only KOVE, but in recent years, Chinese manufacturers such as CF MOTO and QJ MOTORS have been entering the off-road market. CF MOTO has a track record of manufacturing motorcycles and engines as a subcontractor for KTM, and recently acquired an official partnership with the FIM Enduro GP. It also participates in MOTO3, the smallest displacement class in the Road Racing World Championship. The technical capabilities of these Chinese manufacturers are already highly regarded in the industry, and if they can gain brand power, the balance of power will change dramatically.
KOVE has already cleared the European emission regulations "Euro 5+" with the 450 Rally, and it is said that in the future they will introduce "street-legal" enduro models that can be used on public roads in the 250cc and 350cc classes. If that happens, it will bring even more vitality to the off-road market in Japan.
Off-road bikes, especially enduro and motocross, are not that major categories in Japan. However, the fact that Chinese manufacturers, as well as European manufacturers such as Ducati and Triumph, are entering this field for the first time indicates that there is great potential in the off-road market on a global scale.
KOVE's MX250 is likely to be a pioneering model of this new era.
SPECIFCATIONS
Main Specifications
Overall Length x Width x Height: 2168 x 805 x 1265mm
Wheelbase: 1490mm
Seat Height: 960mm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 7L
Vehicle Weight: 101kg
Ground Clearance: 310mm
Engine Type: Single Cylinder/DOHC/4 valve/4 stroke/water-cooled
Engine Displacement: 249.9cc
Bore x Stroke: 79 x 51mm
Compression Ratio: 13.9:1
Maximum Output: 30kW/12000rpm (approx. 40.8PS)
Maximum Torque: 27N.m/7000rpm
Fuel Supply System: Electronically controlled fuel injection (EFI)
Maximum Speed: 129km/h
Front Suspension: Fully adjustable damping
Rear Suspension: Fully adjustable damping, external airbag
Suspension Stroke: Front: 310mm/Rear: 117mm
Front Brake: Single Floating Disc, 2-piston caliper
Rear Brake: Single Disc, 1-piston Caliper
Front Tires: 80/100-21
Rear Tires: 100/90-19
Steering Angle: 38.5°
Caster Angle: 28°
Original Source [ Off1 ]
