Kove took the minds of motorcyclists and the rally raid scene by storm during the past couple of years. It was shocking to think a company could produce an off-road rally bike that could mix it up with the best in the business but for half the price. And if you didn't see that Kove 450 Rally Pro Race compete with its peers from KTM and Honda at the Dakar, there's no way you'd believe it was worth its salt.
But Kove has managed to win the hearts of off-road competitors, particularly privateers, over the past few years despite never winning the Dakar. But how? Well, its machines are out there competing and not doing badly, and they are unbelievably affordable compared to the competition. This year, Neels Theric finished 5th in Rally 2 and 15th overall at the Dakar.
What's the point of all this off-road Kove spiel? The point is, Kove is the talk of the motorcycle adventure town, and the company hasn't even won a major off-road race, unlike the factory team in the Supersport (SSP) 300 World Championship.
Julio García, a factory Kove rider in the SSP 300 World Championship, won the last race of the year at Jerez, and his teammate, Marc García, took third, placing two Kove riders on the podium. This win put Julio García in fourth place overall in the championship, which is an amazing feat, considering Kove have only joined a couple of seasons ago.
The fact that Kove did so well in the championship is the only reason I heard about the 321RR, which was to double its presence on the SSP 300 World Championship grid for the 2025 season. However, the Chinese brand has decided to abandon the championship in 2025. And I just can't wrap my head around the reason.
Kove has a competitive, low-capacity motorcycle that's better value than any of the competition from the other major manufacturers in a niche where price is a crucial part of the customer's decision. If the 321RR is beating Yamaha R3s and Kawasaki Ninja 400s in competition and is cheaper than them in dealerships—you'd imagine it would be based on the brand's position in other niches—, it's hard to find a reason not to buy it if you're looking for an entry-level sportbike.
Of course, Kove, which is under new management, states that the reason for pulling out of the 2025 season is that the investment required is not returned in sales. But it seems like a ridiculous statement, given that Kove needs to show the public that its bikes are reliable and competitive when put against the biggest brands in the game.
Let us know your thoughts on Kove pulling out of the SSP 300 World Championship after having such a dominant end to the season.
