Cove’s 450 Rally made its name by offering something the adventure market couldn’t get nearly enough of: a lightweight, genuinely rally-inspired motorcycle that wasn’t just a tall road bike with knobby tires and a plastic beak. Now, patent images reveal that Kove is preparing a smaller sibling, and it may be aimed at riders who like Dakar cosplay but don’t necessarily want the full Dakar commitment.
The new machine is being referred to as the Cove 350 Rally, although Cove has not officially confirmed the name, specifications or whether it will reach production. Visually, it looks more approachable than the 450 Rallye, with a lower sculptural seat, slimmer bodywork, road-friendly equipment and proportions that seem better suited to everyday use. It still retains the flavor of the rally, but without feeling like it expects you to cross Mauritania before lunch.
An even bigger mystery is what powers it. balcony down Believes the patent images show a parallel-twin engine, presumably the same 344cc unit found in Kove’s 350R naked bike. That engine produces about 47 horsepower, putting it over the limit for European A2 license holders. Borrowing existing engines would also be financially beneficial, especially for a manufacturer that is still expanding its global footprint.
Photo by: Cove Moto
Australian Motorcycle NewsOn the other hand, he sees things differently. Its report suggests that the bike may use the smaller single-cylinder engine found in the 450 Rally. This interpretation arguably fits the purpose of the motorcycle better, especially when you look at what other Chinese brands are doing in the small-capacity adventure segment.
Voge, Cugemotor and Benelli all rely on relatively simple single-cylinder engines for their smaller adventure and trail-oriented models. The formula is easy to understand. Singles are narrow, affordable, relatively lightweight, and generally easy to pack inside bikes designed for riders who care more about manageable off-road performance than sustained triple-digit highway speeds.
A parallel twin would give the Cove more power and better highway manners, but it could also increase weight, complexity and cost. This will take the bike closer to the growing class of 400cc and 450cc twin-cylinder adventure motorcycles, where competition is already rising. A shorter single will give the Cove a clearer position and keep more distance between this new model and the existing 450 Rallye.
Whatever engine Kove chooses, the patent bike retains one of the most useful ideas of the 450 Rally. It uses a low-mounted side fuel tank that stores gasoline around the engine rather than pooling above the rider’s knees. This should lower the center of gravity and make the bike easier to control at low speeds, especially on dirt or when gravity decides it wants to take a closer look.
This could be Cove’s attempt to make its hardcore rally formula easier to own, easier to ride and easier to justify. The 450 Rally proved that Kove could make a serious adventure machine. The 350 Rally may show that it knows how to build for the common man too.
Photo by: Cove Moto
