China's KOVE MOTO has unveiled the naked 450R. The in-line 4-cylinder engine is the same as the previously released 450RR. They are expanding their lineup with a classic strategy of offering both full-cowl and naked models.
Photo: Webike China
Competing against Honda and Kawasaki
KOVE MOTO has released a new model, the 450R, equipped with a 4-cylinder 450cc engine. Kobe is a manufacturer known to core riders in Japan, where the 450 Rally has been released, and is beginning to make its presence known in world races such as the Dakar Rally and WSSP300.
In 2023, they released the in-line 4-cylinder 450cc supersport "450RR" at the same time as Kawasaki's ZX-4R, which attracted attention, and this time they developed the naked "450R" based on this. It features a street fighter style with two headlights similar to the Kawasaki Z1000.
Kawasaki's ZX-4R is popular in China, and the 450RR will compete with it at a significantly lower price. Furthermore, the naked 450R will be able to compete not only with the new CB400/CB500 that Honda is rumored to be releasing in China but also with Kawasaki's 4-cylinder 400cc naked motorcycle if they release one.
Developing a naked bike based on a full-cowl model is a familiar pattern for Japanese manufacturers. It is unclear whether Honda's new CB400/500 will have a full-cowl version, but to meet local needs and compete with rivals, we may see a two-pronged strategy in the future.
450R [KOVE MOTO] A naked model based on the previously released 450RR. A street fighter with a sharp design, it has an image similar to the Kawasaki Z1000.
The frame of the 450RR is made of aluminum. The weight of the motorcycle is announced to be 165kg, the same as the 450RR, and is significantly lighter than the ZX-4R's 190kg. The swingarm pivot passes through the rear end of the engine.
The headlights have two eyes and an intake port in the center. There is also an intake port in the shroud.
The pipe handlebars are set high, and the meter appears to be a TFT display.
The fuel tank is specially designed for the 450R and has a capacity of 17L. The shroud adds an accent.
The front and rear seats are separate, and the tail cowl design is subtly different from that of the 450RR.
The front is a combination of an inverted fork and two discs. The 450RR uses a 300mm disc.
A short-type exhaust system is attached to the gull arm-type swingarm. The rear suspension appears to be linkless.
450RR [KOVE MOTO] The full-cowl version has a higher power output than the naked version, at 70PS/13,000rpm. The local price is $5596.40, significantly cheaper than the ZX-4R's approx. $9810.97.
450R Main Specifications
Overall Length x Width x Height: 2010 x 830 x 1298 mm
Wheelbase: 1385mm
Seat Height: 795mm
Dry Weight: 165kg
Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, in-line 4-cylinder, 443cc
Maximum Output: 65.2PS/12000rpm
Maximum Torque: 4.08kg-m/9000rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 17L
Transmission:
Brakes: F = W disc, R = disc
Tire: F=120/70-17, R=160/60-17
